FC Headstamp .308 Win: FGMM vs anything else

[capreppy]

Is there any difference in the brass that is from FGMM versus anything else that is FC head-stamped?

I'm curious because some folks believe you should pay a premium for FGMM brass versus any other FC head-stamped .308 Win brass.

 

[joneb]

I find that FC 308 Win brass is inconsistent, I will keep and reload 40-50% of it. Most of the brass I scrap has uneven case walls, some has to much weight variation.
I've been using Nosler factory 2nd's, good brass at a good price

 

[helotaxi]

Some people also believe that you should break in a hand lapped barrel, and that you *must* shoot heavy bullets if you have a fast twist barrel. Doesn't make them right.

 

[FROGO207]

As usual it depends------------ Do you want to hit a dime at 800 YDS?? Then you need every thing that you can do to be exactly the same every time. Me I want to be 1--1 1/2 inches at 200-250 YDS repeatably with my 308. I will use any old brass that will hold tension on the bullet enough to allow me to be that accurate. Even that PPU, S&B, and PMC that they all claim is not any use to bother reload. If I can load ammo that is more accurate out of my rifle than I can hold/shoot then I am more than happy to use any brass that is available. YMMV

FWIW the LC military lasts the longest in my four 308's before splitting necks or loose primer pockets.

 

[capreppy]

I'm just curious if an unscrupulous person wanted to, it is very likely they could get away with saying this is FGMM brass that is in actuality some other FC head-stamped brass.

I personally could not tell the difference between brass that is FGMM (yes I have some) compared to non-FGMM brass (yes I have some of that as well).

From my short experience with them, they don't look any different and they certainly don't size any differently (not comparing brass fired out of a bolt action versus semi-auto. strictly apples to apples comparison).

 

[JTJones]

Excuse my ignorance but what does fgmm stand for.

 

[joneb]

FGMM= Federal Gold Medal Match

 

[helotaxi]

Federal doesn't use or do anything special to the brass for the GMM ammo. It's only "special" as loaded ammo. As soon as the trigger is pulled on it, the brass returns to being standard FC brass which is functional brass but not anything special. For normal bulk brass I would prefer Winchester. It's not expensive and it typically has the highest case capacity allowing for the largest powder charge remaining within pressure limits. If I want to splurge, Lapua brass is the most consistent and probably the most durable. A lot of long range shooters don't like it because it has less capacity than Win brass. Additionally, if you were to lose a Lapua case during a match, you would be a little bit miffed. Win cases are inexpensive enough that you won't cry about losing one.

 

[capreppy]

I didn't think that the FC brass was anything special. Accurate Shooter says the FC brass is pretty decent, but the primer pockets continue to be a problem and the brass will only go 3 to 5 reloads before the pockets go (depending obviously on the load used).

I would love to use Winchester brass (use a lot of their brass for Pistol), but finding 1x fired Winchester is not exactly easy. Initially while I get trigger time with the .308 Win, the FC brass that I have will be more than sufficient.

If/When I decide to compete, I'll look at getting better brass, but frankly FC headstamped is cheap to find.