.308 ammo weight vs. accuracy in a FAL

[Motega]

Is there any general consensus regarding bullet weight and accuracy in a FAL or does it just depend on the particular rifle and shooter? Given Federal match grade ammo, for example, is there any correlation between weight and accuracy? I guess this would apply equally to all calibers but since I'd like to compete with the DSA SA58 I'm getting I figured I'd ask specifically in .308.

Also, on a side note, given 'only' 300 yards and smallest target size of about 2 inches do you think that a FAL has a shot of winning against other rifles in an open class competition or do you think you would be spinning your wheels even if you were a better rifleman than a guy with say a 7mm mag?

 

[FC]

A 2" target at 300 yards with a FAL vs guys with quality bolt-action rifles? Unless all those guys with bolt-action rifles are worse shots you, you won't stand a chance.

 

[Motega]

Thanks... guess i better stock up on .30-06 for my 700 if I want to seriously compete : /

 

[Z-Michigan]

Basically, if an FAL beats 3 MOA, you're doing at least average, probably a little better. That's 9" at 300 yards +/-. If it beats 2 MOA, you're doing great. Even inexpensive hunting rifles can do 1.5 MOA, and many bolt rifles do 1 MOA or less with the right ammo. Using an FAL for small groups against guys with bolt rifles is basically wasting your time.

 

[Motega]

Thanks for the honesty! I guess you know you are a gun nut when you are on your next purchase before your previous one arrives : )

This 1000 yard F-Class stuff is so neat, I just learned a LOT about it over the past few weeks from this site and it seems like a really fun thing to get into. I'm thinking the next thing down the road (probably a few years to save up) will be a Savage F-class and some reloading stuff. I bought the FAL as a battle rifle but coming from the world of hunting use rifles I guess my expectations were wayyyy too high. I really thought that with good optics and a steady hand 300 yards would be a cakewalk. Live and learn!

 

[W.E.G.]

The FAL is at its best when engaging targets that may shoot back.

Its an axe, not a dental pick.

 

[Z-Michigan]

The FAL is at its best when engaging targets that may shoot back.

Its an axe, not a dental pick.

Nice description. I agree. Once the gas regulator is set properly, which takes only a few test shots, a quality FAL has the reliability of a quality AKM.

 

[Slamfire]

I have heard of guys who have sunk a lot of money into FALs and never got the 1 MOA they wanted.

While I have a FAL, it has a service rifle barrel and is at best 2MOA. The best may be a statistical aberration, it will certaintly stay within 3 MOA.

One thing to consider about FAL's is that they stretch cases something awful. It is a rear locker and case life is short.

Don't let the lack of target grade accuracy put you off from getting one. It is one of the great battle rifles of the 20th Century. Everyone ought to have one. Plus a Garand, a M1a, a PTR91, a .............

 

[Motega]

I should have it in about another month. I got the DSA SA58 with an 18" barrel, standard stock. I am going to fire lap (I think that's the right term) the barrel with a kit from Tubbs even though I have heard this is not necessary. Also I purchased 100 rounds of 168 grain Federal Gold Target for the first 100 shots... I think that cycling the best possible ammo for the first 100 rounds or so creates a consistent pattern of wear in the throat and rifling. I have had very good luck with a simple break in procedure like this - or I just happen to have gotten lucky with the guns I've broken in (i.e. they happen to all have really good barrels and actions).

I'd like to put out the question though of whether there is any general consensus of whether bullets on the heavy or light side do better at far ranges.