Looking for quality/cheap .308 ammo

[Tweek17091]

I'm tired of paying $1-2 per round for .308 ammo for my M1A. I recently started using the German Surplus 147-grain FMJ-BT from battle packs. I want to pick up 1,000 rounds, but the problem is that supply seems to be drying up (none of the places I'd seen it before have any in stock). I'm looking, now, at the Lithuanian or Portuguese surplus 146-grain FMJ-BT. Anyone have any info on the German supply, or experience with the Lithuanian or Portuguese ammo?

 

[Liberty1776]

I've used a bit of the Portugese. I found it to be reliable, with average accuracy...

 

[LiquidTension]

If you have any interest in the Prvi Partizan stuff AIM has it for $8.95/box when you buy by the case.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=AP308FMJ145

 

[Tweek17091]

That's a pretty comparable price to the surplus stuff. Plus the Partizans can be reloaded (if/when I ever get around to starting that up).

 

[Tweek17091]

And average accuracy is all I really need. I just need some rounds that won't kill my wallet every time I hit the range. Don't need to drill nails over 100 yards, just need to hit paper.

 

[ChileRelleno]

If your rifle will eat steel cased ammo, as mine does...

I really like the Tula .308win 150gr FMJ, polymer coated steel cased.
Gives me 2-3 MOA accuracy, excellent for just general plinking.

Don't overlook the Brown Bear either.
145gr FMJ lacquer coated steel cased

Not reloadable, but cheap.

 

[Tweek17091]

She'll shoot just about anything I've tried (except Winchester soft points for some reason). I actually just bought a box of Tula to see how she likes them. I had no issues with the Wolf I tried a while back, so I'm guessing Tula steel won't cause any issues. As for Brown Bear, I keep hearing everyone warn not to even touch them, and I've seen a few sites specifically refuse to sell the brand. I figure they can't be any worse than Wolf though... right?

 

[dprice3844444]

http://search.aol.com/aol/search?query=surplus+308+ammo&s_it=keyword_rollover

just google surplus 308

 

[firesky101]

the shotgun news I was looking at today had 250rds linked for $99.00, It was from j&g. $10 more if you live in a restrictive capacity state as they have to delink it for you.

 

[Tweek17091]

J&G is just a few hours north of me, I'll have to go check out the quality. Haven't delinked .308s yet, but shouldn't be that hard.

 

[seasmoke]

Look here and read the comments..

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/...08-win-147-gr-fmj-ammo-with-can.aspx?a=570843

I've seen but not shot this stuff. Some tarnish/mild corrosion, should be fine for you rifle.

Whoopsy, ad says corrosive, but given the production date, me-thinks they mean... corroded. The stuff I looked at seemed fine. YMMV

 

[Sprouticus]

I have used the M-14 forum's surplus ammo finder page before. They update the information quite often. They also have great info for us M1A users.


http://m14forum.com/ammunition/23308-cheapest-7-62x51mm-surplus-internet-updated-often-so-check-back.html

 

[orionengnr]

Consider handloading?
A single stage press costs =/< $50 used. A set of dies, about $30. A scale and a caliper, about $25 each; a tumbler, about $40.

After those intial costs, your ammo will cost about 50% of what factory ammo costs...and those tools will retain their value, if you ever decide to get out of the game.

Just something to think about.

 

[Ignition Override]

Just in case you find any:
A guy sold me belted South Korean ("P--") 7.62 NATO, and to my surprise it is reloadable. I was told that it is not.

The price for his private sale was about .40/rd. No longer have his name or #.

 

[medalguy]

If you're not looking for really accurate ammo but "plinking" ammo, you vey definitely can reload for a fraction of the cost of new ammo.

Brass amortized over 5 reloadings (USGI) .02 per reload, from this forum or many others
Primers .02, from Powder Valley
Powder WC846 surplus per round .07, from Hi-tech Ammo
Bullets 147 gr M80 pulled .11, from Hi-Tech Ammo

Total cost per round 22 cents. How's that?

 

[Owen Sparks]

And if you are looking for really accurate ammo you can also reload if you use quality componants and take a few extra steps like trimming your brass and weighing each powder charge. Reloading is VERSITILE!

 

[BP44]

Hey you guys!!!!!!!!! Stop letting the secret out that reloading is cost effective if your a shooter, now I'm gonna have one more person at the range that doesn't leave the brass there

Like stated above if you actually shoot reloading is very cost effective

 

[Tweek17091]

I just checked out the M-14 forum's page, and found a few leads on current deals, thanks!

I have looked into reloading, I just haven't gotten around to starting up yet. Think I might give it a shot and pick up supplies next time I'm at the store. 22 cents a round makes my mouth water!

And no worries BP44- I already brass up (even the berdan stuff).

 

[JohnnyK]

brown bear is good stuff in .308... i like all their stuff... not reloadable but cheap and accurate...

 

[Tweek17091]

I haven't had any issues with Brown Bear running in my AK. A lot of the complaints seem to be about their NATO caliber productions. Glad to hear at least a few people use it, since it's so cheap.

 

[GCMkc]

Good link if you're looking for price per round. I saw plenty of milsurplus.

http://ammoseek.com/?from=resultspa...ns=0&mfg=&keywords=&sortby=cpr&.submit=Search

Classic Arms FN 7.62 1990 production @ $89.99 per 200rds.
http://www.classicarms.us/ammunition.htm

 

[BullfrogKen]

Don't reload. It costs too much. It takes too much time. It's too complicated. You'll never get your money out of the equipment.


I'll be happy to dispose of that worthless brass you have.

 

[Tweek17091]

Nice try. But if you're interested, you can help yourself all my .22 brass!

 

[xxxleafybugxxx]

Whats the cheapest milsurp out there now?
I refuse to put steel through my m1a. I was told it was a bad idea anyways.
When you reload, can you buy harder primers then commercial grade?

 

[wally]

Whoopsy, ad says corrosive, but given the production date, me-thinks they mean... corroded.

If they say its corrosive, believe it! Especially at that price!

No benefit to believing some "Internet guess" about the date and it being not corrosive. Central Europeans loaded corrosive primers well into the 90s and may still do so, supposedly the Russians still do too -- better long term storage and cold weather properties.


As to being not willing to shoot current production steel cased ammo, but being perfectly happy with old, corroded brass cased ammo -- it makes little sense to me.