168 gr. Federal Match Ammo specs

[Glockman22]

I can't say how many people are out there trying to reproduce the revered 168 grain Federal Match round, including me. Searching the web for details specs on this round was disappointing. The consensus seems to be IMR-4064 powder at 2.800" OAL for the "old" round and now Federal is using a special RL-15 powder not sold to reloaders (yet). Primers of course are Federal 210m. Charge weight of the loads vary from recipe to recipe. I’m playing with the charge weight to get a muzzle velocity near 2,650 fps with the tightest groups.

The data I could never find is what I believe to be equally important, the physical dimensions of the factory load! I bit my lip and bought a box for $50 in the name of getting good ‘factory- made’ data. I measured the OAL, base to ogive length using a bullet comparator and the case length. Most important of the three, in my opinion, is the length from the base of the case to the ogive. When you’re loading, it’s this length where you will get the most consistent measurements versus the standard OAL. The hollow point tip on SMK bullets varies too much to rely on OAL, especially if you are loading to have a specific ‘jump’ to the lands of the barrel. Again, measure the base to ogive length to get a consistent ‘jump’ to the lands, don’t rely on OAL!

After measuring all 20 rounds in the box I got these numbers (minimum and maximum lengths are in parentheses): Base to ogive length at 2.225" (2.214"/2.230"), case length at 2.008" (2.006"/2.011") and the OAL at 2.803" (2.795"/2.811"). For kicks I also weighed each round to get an average of 393.6 grains (392.7gr/394.9gr). I would have expected tighter tolerances given the world-class performance this round produces, but I’m not a ballistics engineer and these number may be acceptable.

I hope my $50 and time will help you reproduce the Federal Match round that we all dream of. Remember to follow good common sense and don’t exceed the maximum powder charge recommended by the manufacturer. And FYI, I heard Alliant is releasing a new line of powders that are supposed to help reloaders replicate certain ‘factory loads.’ I hope this means they are selling us the actual powder in the Federal Match round!

 

[Maverick223]

Federal is using a special RL-15 powder not sold to reloaders (yet).

How do you figure that? I have some of this "illusive" powder sitting on my shelf right now.

FWIW, Gold Medal Match is pretty good stuff, but any handloader that takes his (or her) time and does plenty of testing with different load combinations (varying the powder type, powder charge, seat depth, bullet weight/type/manufacturer, primers, and even brass) can find a load that is far better than any match available commercially.

 

[Glockman22]

Some people may like to start from scratch, but most like to have a head start with a recipe that others have had success with and experiment from there, that's why I made this post. Starting with something successful can reduce costs of making a great handload. The Federal Match round is the standard for all .308 loads when it comes to accuracy. Many people are baffled as to how Federal can make such an accurate load that works well in so many rifles.

You are right that handloads can out perform the majority of factory ammo, but some people don't wanna spend the time and money to start blind. Do some research and you'll find the RL-15 on the shelf and the powder in the Federal Match round are not exactly the same. Alliant has a new Power Pro series of powder that is supposed to be the exact stuff they use in the Federal Match rounds and other factory loads.

 

[Bart B.]

While Federal's .308 Win. match ammo's great and many a thousand rounds were fired in military team's M1 and M14 match conditioning rifles, their load has been equalled by handloaders for accuracy. This ammo's done great in bolt guns, too. But the barrels that do so well all have groove diameters smaller than Sierra's 30 caliber 168's which are about .3082 inch diameter. You'll need a barrel with a groove diameter at about .3076 to .3078 inch for best accuracy. If your barrel's groove diameter's larger than the bullet, really good accuracy won't happen.

First, plan on shooting at least 20, better yet, 30 shots per test group. Any less won't give you a statistically significant result if you're interested in what accuracy over 90% of your bullets will shoot. Or just shoot a single 5 shot group and learn what the rifle will shoot about half the time.

Second, full length size your cases and don't set the fired case shoulder back more than 2 thousandths. Put in Federal 210M, Wolf NCLR, or RWS5341 primers under 44 grains of IMR4064. Seat the bullets to just barely touch the lands. If this load doesn't shoot, get a new barrel or check the receiver's bedding or the human shooting the rifle.

Never ever load ammo for accuracy to some muzzle velocity some great stuff had in factory test barrels. Forget about muzzle velocity. Just load what shoots the most accurate. Accuracy's not winning the race to the target; it's getting all the bullets to land at the same place.

 

[Glockman22]

Thanks Bart! I joined THR to get this kind of info.

 

[Sunray]

Quit trying to reproduce generic factory ammo and work up the load for your rifle.
"...a recipe that others have had success with and experiment from there..." That doesn't work. Every rifle, even two consecutively numbered rifles will shoot the same ammo differently. You must work up the load for your rifle.
"...Just load what shoots the most accurate..." Exactly. Match grade bullet$ are required though. No 'pulled' milsurp ball or non-match grade FMJ's though.
"...military team's M1 and M14 match conditioning rifles..." Custom built for match shooting by extremely experienced weapons techs.

 

[Maverick223]

Some people may like to start from scratch, but most like to have a head start with a recipe that others have had success with and experiment from there, that's why I made this post. Starting with something successful can reduce costs of making a great handload.

I agree, you have to start somewhere, and Fed. GMM is a good start; the key is to keep going until you have nothing else left to try (or arrive at your goal).

Do some research and you'll find the RL-15 on the shelf and the powder in the Federal Match round are not exactly the same.

I don't know about that, but I will take your word for it. I thought you were stating that RL-15 wasn't available.

 

[JDGray]

Forget about muzzle velocity

After you find the combo of bullet, powder charge, that gives the accuracy you want, record the velocity. Powder lots vary, and your gonna want the same velocity between lots, and may have to up or lower your charge weight.

But yeah, accuracy first! It always amazes me when someone loads to top velocity, and complains about inaccuracy. Most loads run out of accuracy, well before velocity

FWIW to the OP, my GMM copycat load is: 43gr Varget, Fed cases, CCI 200s, 168gr SMKs, 2.805 oal, 2640fps This load out shoots GMM factory ammo in my Savage 10FP, consistantly shooting .500"- .750" 100yrd 5 shot groups. GMM ammo hung in at about .750"- 1.0" respectivly. All reloading done on Lee equipment, full length resized cases, no crimp.

 

[Runningman]

I can't say how many people are out there trying to reproduce the revered 168 grain Federal Match round,

Why? My bolt action Remington 700 HB 1 in 12 twist never did better than .700 - .800 for a 5 shot group at 100 yards. And don't even want to talk about my 300 yard groups with this combo using the 168 grain Federal Match load. Interesting enough the much cheaper Remington factory loads in 150 grain core lokt were shooting about the same.

With handloads trying different powders, charge weights, and overall length using the 168 grain SMK. I was able to get it to finally shoot in the .550 - .650 range with Varget. OK, but thought it could do better.

Ended up buying different bullet weights of the Sierra Match bullets and did a lot of testing. This included 150 SMK, 155 SMK, 175 SMK, and 180 SMK. After the dust settled it was obvious my particular 308 had a strong preference for the 180 SMK bullet.

In the end, I settled on the 180 grain SMK 2.790 COL and N140 at 2527 FPS for a 10 shot average. It makes tiny groups all day long at better than half the size of what I could get out of the Federal match loads.

 

[gunnie]

..."My bolt action Remington 700 HB 1 in 12 twist...In the end, I settled on the 180 grain SMK"...

this backs up what sunray is saying. common thinking is the GMM needs a 1-10 twist to work best. the 1-12 twist shouldn't work well with a 168gr slug due to the looser twist.

your finding out it likes even heavier bullets proves that one needs to try everything they can lay their hands on before writing off a rifle as being "inaccurate".

gunnie

 

[jpwilly]

The 1-12" is actually perfect for 168gr pills its the heavier pills that 1-12" will start to have trouble with. 1-10" is better for heavy 190's etc.

 

[Bobarino]

GMM is good stuff and it shoots well in my gun too (remmy 700 SPS-V 308) but it is far bested by Hornaday's 155 gr A-Max match "palma" load in my particular gun. group sizes are about 25% smaller with the A-Max than with GMM.

Bobby

 

[Glockman22]

Apparently I touched a nerve with this post. If you're not interested in the FGMM round this post is not for you. We all have pet loads that work well for a particular rifle (I have them too) , but that's not the point of this thread.