Thread: Factory 308 "match" ammo

Bit of a call out to the NRA boys really . . . . What is a reasonable accuracy expectation from inexpensive (about $2 a pop) factory 308 ammo. I've gotten onto a supply of S&B 168gn HPBT and it's consistently holding a smidge under 0.7 MOA to 600Y (where a bit of vertical is starting to show). I can't shoot much better than that, nor reload decently projectiled rounds at under $2, so am thinking of stocking up.

I'd be interested in what the old NZNRA ammo expectations were?

Thanks

0.7 MOA for how many shots, how frequently?

Like, what is your data set?

That's better than I've seen from any rifle with any factory ammo, match or otherwise - if for 10 shot groups and an average over multiple (even more impressive if representing overlaid groups)

Originally Posted by Tentman

accuracy

Precision!

11 measured rounds, 6 at 100M, 5 at 366M, the rest of the 20 just sent at steel at 571M but I've done enough shooting to know when they are humming . . .

Ive always found s&b to be quite accurate in my rifles the best was some 30 06 stuff with a funny looking stepped pill

I was quite impressed by the fiocchi match distributed by gun city. The problem of the 168 sierras, is that they become unstable around the transonic zone which is around 800 yards in my guns

@Tentman. Would have thought that would be good enough if ammo is consistent. If shooter is up to it and wind calls are good then theoretically shots should fall into central bull, 145mm 5/600yd NZNRA target. Follow your gut feeling. Some of the guys/girl in our club load ammo that shoots tighter but they are or have been NZNRA team shooter’s which is at a higher level than most of us attain.

At $2 a pop, I think that you have answered your own question - even if you find at a later date that the ammo isn't as good as you would like it's cheap components or still very cheap 'practice' ammo. I stumbled onto 450 odd rounds of FGGM ammo a couple of years back at around that price point - grabbed it at the time and would have been happy if I could have gotten more of it. Have been slowly working through it ever since, retaining cases for reloading. It would seem to produce similar results to what you have found with the S&B - if I do my bit right (I am less reliable than the ammo haha).

I've been looking for cheap Match 308 ammo for a while now and there is basically nothing available from normal retailers without paying $4+ a round.

If that SB shoots well for you then keep at it, hard to find cheap match ammo for anything these days, even 22lr it would seem.

The guy has 14 packets remaining at $40/per. Happy to assist in facilitating a sale @Beetroot etc

If you're not actually going to use it for NRA shooting its fine, if you are shooting it in NRA its a bit of a mismatch. Most use 155's and in TR and FTR classic you are limited to 155's
If you are shooting FTR its a bit light as they go for 185's and 200's in that, and as said its too slow past 800 yds.
BUt have at it, if its for other uses.

Originally Posted by johnd

If you're not actually going to use it for NRA shooting its fine, if you are shooting it in NRA its a bit of a mismatch. Most use 155's and in TR and FTR classic you are limited to 155's
If you are shooting FTR its a bit light as they go for 185's and 200's in that, and as said its too slow past 800 yds.
BUt have at it, if its for other uses.

Yep, just starting to develop a load for Berger's 200.20x for my FTR rifle.

As above, if shooting anything heavier than 155 places you in the FTR class where you are up against people using the very best projectiles available (read high BC). Also the manufacturers particularly Berger seem to have a lot of activity in the 30 cal range. My 200.20x projectiles were the darlings but have been superceded (surpased) but another.
I won't be going there, chasing each improvement but lots do.

Haha, I wasn't planning on using if for F or FTR, it was just to get some reasonable ammo for young people to send at gongs, and I couldn't recall the old accuracy expectations. . . . Thanks folks

How does the 168gr hpbt go on animals, any experience with that?

Originally Posted by ocean-hunter

How does the 168gr hpbt go on animals, any experience with that?

The SMK is not known for being good on animals.
TMK or ELDM is a much safer bet for animals.