target .308 ammo

[ESV]

Did a couple of searches, but didn't find anything. Forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse

I'm trying to figure out which .308 ammo gives best performance for long range shooting. I don't have the means or ability to handload, so that's out of the question (for now). Any ideas as to which preforms best while not breaking the bank would be appreciated

E

 

[browningguy]

Well most people will tell you to try a bunch of different loads to see what your gun likes best (including me if it's hunting ammo).

But the simple answer is to try Federal Match 168 gr. BTHP first. Black Hiils also makes very good match ammo with the same bullet. But none of them are as cheap as surplus, it's expensive to shoot high quality ammo. Even my handloads get expensive using Lapua brass, CCI match primers, and match grade bullets.

 

[wyoelkhunter]

probably the ones with the biggest price tag. honestly i have not found any factory rounds i like. find a old man with a press to adopt you that what i do.

 

[ESV]

yeah that would be nice, but I got no family or friends or friends family who does reloads (or shoots for that matter) so that may be difficult

And I know its not gonna be cheap by any means. And I forgot to say, but this is gonna be a target rifle first, hunting rifle distant second

 

[mljdeckard]

The reloading thing is daunting at first, but you can find RCBS presses used on ebay pretty cheap, and other brands even cheaper. There is some setup and a bit of a learning curve, but you can only get so far with factory ammo. I would try Lake City match, try 168 gr and 175 gr BTHP, just to find what YOUR limits are first. If you can't break 2 MOA, you need to start testing loads, sizing and matching loads to your chamber, running them through a chronograph, etc.

 

[gunnie]

probably good prices here

dunno if this still holds true, but this outfit used to have the best federal match ammo prices. [.308M, and later federal gold medal match] they quit posting prices when the ammo market got so volitile at the begining of last year. you just have to call them and see. no web address for this company to date....

recomend you buy a box locally and see if your iron likes this flavor before doing any bulk ordering.


HOPLITE INCORPORATED
3402 BURKLAND BLVD STE 3
SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY
40165-8942
Phone: 502-955-5014


gunnie

 

[Jim Watson]

The friend who got me into Long Range shooting keeps a supply of Black Hills .308 x 175 gr in reserve for when he gets behind in his handloading.

 

[Al Thompson]

Second what Jim said.

 

[Legionnaire]

If you plan to go much beyond 600 yards, go with the 175 grain match ammo over the 168s. Black Hills and Federal Gold Medal Match are probably your best bets.

 

[USSR]

Generally, long range shooting implies shooting at 800 yards and beyond. For shooting at this distance with a .308, go with the 175gr Federal Gold Medal Match or Black Hills ammo.

Don

 

[taliv]

i mostly handload but bought some of the prvi partisan 175g 308 to try. haven't shot it yet.

Fed GM is way to expensive for me.

 

[jbech123]

If you can't break 2 MOA, you need to start testing loads, sizing and matching loads to your chamber, running them through a chronograph, etc.

If you can't break 2 moa with a newer rifle in .308, either the person can't shoot, or the rifle has something wrong with it. IN the last 5 years I've owned 12 rifles of varying manufacture, which I've pared to 6. Only 1 would not hold 2 moa, it was a ruger 77 with the zytek stock, actually it wouldn't even hold 3 moa truth be told. All the rest were uner 1.5 moa, 5 of them under 1. This is all with factory ammo. TO get more to the point of the question, I've owned 3 remington .308's, a pss, an ltr, and a 5r. All would hold under .75 with black hills 175's or GMM 168's. The 5r shoots in the .4's with black hills, and is probably capable of better, I think I've hit my limitation more than the rifle's. Also for shorter range or varmint work, the hornandy tap 110gr load shoots fantastic out of my 5r, 1/2 moa all day long, haven't tried it past 500 though.

 

[kludge]

the simple answer is to try Federal Match 168 gr. BTHP first

+1

As an aside, theres not a match load that I've tried (including handloads) that my Savage 110 wouldn't shoot 1MOA@100yds.

 

[gvnwst]

Hornady, Black hills and Federal match in 175gr, pick up a box or two of each and try them out.

 

[Envisaged]

Black Hills Match 175 gr. Keep your brass - you will start handloading in the future. Trust me.

I would buy the BH over Federal since the Fedral brass is so soft.

 

[Wedge]

I started reloading in an apartment with no one there to teach me except books and the internet.

 

[ESV]

envi - plan on saving the brass. I'm hoping I can afford the equipment/materials this coming summer, when I have more time and money available

wedge - I want to man, I really do. I just don't have the time or resources.

Thanks for the advice all, I'll take that into consideration.
Anyone has a different opinion, post up

E