308 Ammo... I know I know

Snip-er · Apr 2, 2018

I just got a Savage Stealth in 308. I will only be doing target shooting... not Comp... yet anyway... I am looking for a decent load that won't break the bank, but somehow shoot sub MOA or close. I'm a firm believer of training and practicing with just one load, but I am new to rifles other than my Infantry days 25 years ago, so I just want to be able to buy something in bulk at a fairly good price that will give me a consistent shot group.

I know this has probably been asked a million times, but I really appreciate everyone's help in this manner.

... · Apr 2, 2018

Black Hills 175gr or 175gr FGMM should do you well.

Snip-er · Apr 2, 2018

Or also, give me about 5 loads to try to see what my rifle really likes... thanks

davsco · Apr 2, 2018

yep federal gold medal match. from what i've been told, (and done) 168 is fine within 5-600 yds or use 175g if shooting past that.

use ammoseek.com to find best price, but make sure you do factor in freight costs.

Snip-er · Apr 2, 2018

mcameron said:
Black Hills 175gr or 175gr FGMM should do you well.

Thanks Mcameron.. just looked, but the Black Hills is definitely more than I'm looking to spend. Would like to stay at or below a $1 per round

Snip-er · Apr 2, 2018

davsco said:
yep federal gold medal match. from what i've been told, (and done) 168 is fine within 5-600 yds or use 175g if shooting past that.

use ammoseek.com to find best price, but make sure you do factor in freight costs.

I've been looking at those obviously, but I'm also looking to see if there is a somewhat comparable load that is cheaper to use.

Tazman308 · Apr 2, 2018

Watch Target Sports for deals on Federal GMM 175 gr. Usually $200 a case delivered. Best price I found befor I started reloading. Decent stuff.

thejeep · Apr 2, 2018

Sga ammo has fggm 168s for approx 16.85/ per 20

*AimSmall* · Apr 2, 2018

Ive beeb wanting to ask this same thing. How is the Prime or deserttech? 308 gas gun, 20" JP match barrel

... · Apr 2, 2018

Snip-er said:
Thanks Mcameron.. just looked, but the Black Hills is definitely more than I'm looking to spend. Would like to stay at or below a $1 per round

"cheap" and "accurate" are not words commonly seen together in the precision rifle world.

might also want to keep an eye out for XM118LR.....still goes for about $1/ round

VegasHKShooter · Apr 2, 2018

The Federal GMM or the Black Hills are both favorite factory loaded industry stand buys. I don’t think there will be much that you can’t get done, with a factory loaded round, that these won’t do. As far as cost; I always just figure “it is what it is.” I’m not being a smart a$$, and I don’t in any way mean to sound dismissive, but short of handloading, and finding your exact load for your rifle, those two are THE rounds to pick. I would definitely try the Hornady ELD-M as well. I believe theirs is a 178 load. Not absolutely positive, but I think it is. The ELD-M in 140 and 147 have both been superb in my 6.5CM. I’d definitely try them in .308.

lash · Apr 2, 2018

TargetsportsUSA has FGMM in both 168g and 175 g loads for an everyday price of $19.99 per 20, or under $1 per cartridge.
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/308-winchester762x51mm-nato-ammo-c-101.aspx#Ma38|

Sometimes they offer it on sale for $18-19. Order a case of 200 and shipping is free. Truth is that you MAY find a cheaper load that will work well in your rifle, but as has been said already, precision ammunition and cheap are not very common and you can waste a lot of money chasing it.

Snip-er · Apr 2, 2018

lash said:
TargetsportsUSA has FGMM in both 168g and 175 g loads for an everyday price of $19.99 per 20, or under $1 per cartridge.
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/308-winchester762x51mm-nato-ammo-c-101.aspx#Ma38|

Sometimes they offer it on sale for $18-19. Order a case of 200 and shipping is free. Truth is that you MAY find a cheaper load that will work well in your rifle, but as has been said already, precision ammunition and cheap are not very common and you can waste a lot of money chasing it.

Thanks Lash.. I will give that a look see. Appreciate it.

CRT2 · Apr 2, 2018

Try this site. https://ammoseek.com/ammo/308-winchester/-rifle-175grains-

fb40dash5 · Apr 2, 2018

Got a Cabela's or BPS nearby? You can get gift cards for either online for ~20% under face value, and interchange them at the others' stores. Reason I say nearby is they changed their military discount deal, no longer available online, but now you can get it in store at BPS... used to be only once a month there, and I think excluded all guns & ammo.

Can't offer you much help on choices, sorry. I got some PMC "Match" from Cabela's for <$1/rd and it seems OK, but I'm not that great a shot to say it's great or mediocre ammo.

tnbowhunter · Apr 2, 2018

Definitely Federal Good medal match. It’s usually always on sale somewhere. For the price and accuracy of a factory loads it’s hard to beat.

XLR308 · Apr 2, 2018

I know its not what you asked but you and your rifle would be much bettter served and get far better results if you reload. There are many load recipes that are dam near universal for almost any 308 bolt rifle I have ever owned that have always outperformed factory ammo.

sheepdog697 · Apr 2, 2018

agree federal gold medal match is great. i ran about 1000 rounds through my .308 tikka ctr and it was always sub MOA. I know others have mentioned some websites to check. I really like palmetto state armory. I found 168 gr fgmm and 175gr fgmm for 15.99 shipped per box when you ordered ten or more. VERY affordable for the quality. It probably shot better than i was capable.

OG10 · Apr 2, 2018

The first two factory rounds I always run through a 308 are FGMM and A- Max both seem to work well in a 308. The 168 grain federal and 168 Hornady.

JSTARSZ · Apr 3, 2018

I will tell you another manufacturer that makes great ammunition but not all lot of people use it nor talk about it - Norma 168 ; you can get it for around $20 but you are left with great brass for reloading. Out of a 21" 308 this are my Magnetospeed results:

168 Norma -09/03/17/Temp 80deg/Baro 30.00"/Humidity 45%
1 - 2685 ft/s
2 - 2669 ft/s
3 - 2702 ft/s
4 - 2690 ft/s
5- 2671 ft/s
6- 2688 ft/s
7 - 2697 ft/s
8 - 2686 ft/s
9 - 2694 ft/s
10 - 2684 ft/s
Min2669
Max2702
Avg2686
S-D10.3
ES 33

I shoot their match ammunition in 308, 223 and 6.5mm Creedmoor and have gotten outstanding results.

redneckbmxer24 · Apr 3, 2018

Federal Gold Medal is the gold standard for 308 match ammo and has been for over 20 years. You can often get the 168gr for $15/box and 175gr for $17/box.

EJ1001 · Apr 3, 2018

FWIW, I have found the most consistent factory round for my rifle (24" barrel) is the Fiocchi Exacta Match 308 Winchester 175SMK.

Snip-er · Apr 3, 2018

redneckbmxer24 said:
Federal Gold Medal is the gold standard for 308 match ammo and has been for over 20 years. You can often get the 168gr for $15/box and 175gr for $17/box.

Where can you find those prices for that ammo?

spife7980 · Apr 3, 2018

Palmetto state armory is one place, Ive been watching it pretty closely for a cousin shooting factory ammo, havent seen them at anything other than 19.99 in quite awhile though.

Dougie308 · Apr 3, 2018

Snip-er said:
I just got a Savage Stealth in 308. I will only be doing target shooting... not Comp... yet anyway... I am looking for a decent load that won't break the bank, but somehow shoot sub MOA or close. I'm a firm believer of training and practicing with just one load, but I am new to rifles other than my Infantry days 25 years ago, so I just want to be able to buy something in bulk at a fairly good price that will give me a consistent shot group.

I know this has probably been asked a million times, but I really appreciate everyone's help in this manner.

I have used Hornady 168 gr A-Max for years and they have been both consistant and accurate in both my 700 and SCAR 17.

ophious · Apr 3, 2018

175 HPBT SMK. 43.5gn Varget. 2.800" OAL. You're welcome.

Lunchbox27 · Apr 3, 2018

Federal Gold Match. 168 or the 175’s. If they wont group sub moa or better it’s you or your rifle.

There is a reason Mike from TacOps uses it with his test targets.

Snip-er · Apr 3, 2018

Dougie308 said:
I have used Hornady 168 gr A-Max for years and they have been both consistant and accurate in both my 700 and SCAR 17.

how far can u reach out to with 168 gr?

Snip-er · Apr 3, 2018

ophious said:
175 HPBT SMK. 43.5gn Varget. 2.800" OAL. You're welcome.

sorry, what ammo is this? pardon my ignorance

Lunchbox27 · Apr 3, 2018

Snip-er said:
sorry, what ammo is this? pardon my ignorance

Thats a known 308 handload with that bullet weight, powder charge and length of the loaded round. Not factory ammo.

bluegrasspicker · Apr 3, 2018

Since you didn't respond to the suggestion ^^up there^^ to reload and you're buying a big same-lot order of ammo anyway, be sure to save all your brass. Keep it all together clearly labeled with "once fired" and the lot # of the ammo. Don't let any other brass get into that bag. If someone comes to steal the brass laying beside your rifle, b slap them. Someday you might reload and you might be exceedingly picky about details, and doing this will save you a couple hundred dollars on a brass purchase. If you don't reload after a few years, remember your old buddy bluegrasspicker who loves once-fired brass all of the same lot!

ophious · Apr 4, 2018

OP did ask for a load........

lash · Apr 4, 2018

Lunchbox27 said:
Federal Gold Match. 168 or the 175’s. If they wont group sub moa or better it’s you or your rifle.

There is a reason Mike from TacOps uses it with his test targets.

Yeah, it's because he builds all of his rifles specifically to shoot the FGMM offerings. That's not a bad thing at all, but it's very specifically why he uses that ammo.

Snip-er · Apr 4, 2018

bluegrasspicker said:
Since you didn't respond to the suggestion ^^up there^^ to reload and you're buying a big same-lot order of ammo anyway, be sure to save all your brass. Keep it all together clearly labeled with "once fired" and the lot # of the ammo. Don't let any other brass get into that bag. If someone comes to steal the brass laying beside your rifle, b slap them. Someday you might reload and you might be exceedingly picky about details, and doing this will save you a couple hundred dollars on a brass purchase. If you don't reload after a few years, remember your old buddy bluegrasspicker who loves once-fired brass all of the same lot!

Thanks BlueGrassPicker, appreciate that info.

Dougie308 · Apr 4, 2018

Snip-er said:
how far can u reach out to with 168 gr?

I don't often shoot out past 400. I just don't have a place. However, to that ditance they are pretty solid.

lash · Apr 5, 2018

It depends on which 168 you are talking about. The 168SMK tends to start losing stability after about 800 out of most barrels. The Hornady 168 does not exhibit the same limitation in my experience. In other words, not all 168g .30 projectiles are created nor act the same.

AMP! · Apr 5, 2018

Federal GMM, and I’ve also had luck with the 168 CBC by Magtech. It was cheaper than FGMM when I bought a case of 500, and has consistently shot around MOA. When it doesn’t, I’m pretty sure it’s me. I don’t practice enough.

BCX · Apr 7, 2018

Federal 185 Juggernauts, Hornady 178 eld-x, ABM 175 or 185 Juggers

DannC · Apr 7, 2018

When I got my Ruger PR I bought two boxes of FGGM 168 gr, SMK, Hornady 178gr.BTHP, Sig Elite 168 OTM, PMC Bronze 147 gr. FMJ-BT. Zeroed the rifle and began to shoot five shot groups with each. The PMC is not their match grade ammo and is garbage, don't waste your money. The other three shot sub MOA but the FGGM 168 gr. shot half MOA. Bought five hundred rounds from PSA for $15.59 p/box. As noted above their sale price on this ammo is now $19.99 p/box. They have great sales around all holidays if you are patient. Save your brass in the original boxes and look for a local commercial reloader and with the furnished brass you should be able to get the second firing at about seventy cents a round.

aard3 · Apr 8, 2018

FGMM from SGAmmo.com

NewsShooter · Apr 8, 2018

Snip-er said:
how far can u reach out to with 168 gr?

Depends on conditions, I've seen them make 1000 no problem and then I've seen them tumbling at 800.

GhostFace · Apr 8, 2018

My .308s love FGMM but they equally love Hornady #8105 178 hpbt. It's the only factory ammo I'll run but I must admit I run very little factory ammo since I reload. I run 42.2 grns. of 4064 in a Hornady match case topped of with the Hornady 178 hpbt and a CCI standard primer.

aard3 · Apr 8, 2018

Snip-er said:
how far can u reach out to with 168 gr?

Depends on different factors... out of a 20" barrel I can hit 600 all-day... getting out to 800 starts to be more hit/miss

gunslinger · Oct 22, 2024

Snip-er said:
I just got a Savage Stealth in 308. I will only be doing target shooting... not Comp... yet anyway... I am looking for a decent load that won't break the bank, but somehow shoot sub MOA or close. I'm a firm believer of training and practicing with just one load, but I am new to rifles other than my Infantry days 25 years ago, so I just want to be able to buy something in bulk at a fairly good price that will give me a consistent shot group.

I know this has probably been asked a million times, but I really appreciate everyone's help in this manner.

Hi, personally I found the best balance between precision and cost in the Fiocchi Exacta 175 grains SMK.
In my Sabatti Shooter ICM (20" barrel) and Sabatti Tacictal EVO US (22" barrel) I've consistently gotten sub-moa 9 shots groups.
Since I'm Italian, I'm getting this load here in Italy, so I do not know how it fares in the US, pricewise, but to make a comparison, here a 20 cartridges box of Fiocchi Exacta 175 is around 36€.
Federal Gold Medal Match 185 grains Berger is around 50€.
Another load that performs very well is the SAKO TRG Precision 175, with the Scenar-L bullet, but while it fares a tad better than the Fiocchi, it costs 55€/box.
I've been using the Fiocchi Exacta 175 for some time now, and it's become my default load due to quality, price and ease of sourcing.
On my last shooting session, a test of the Sabatti Tactical EVO US for Gunsweek magazine (www.gunsweek.com), I got an average velocity of 770 m/s (2526 fps) with an SD of 1,3 ms (4.26 fps).
SD goes up with shorter barrels, like the Shooter ICM's 20" compared to the Tactical EVO US's 22", to around 4,3 m/s (14.1 fps) so you may want to take this into account if shooting long range with a short barrel.
Data measured with Garmin Xero C1 Pro, 20°C, 85% HR at 2021 hpa.
Hope this helps.

b6graham · Oct 22, 2024

gunslinger said:
Hi, personally I found the best balance between precision and cost in the Fiocchi Exacta 175 grains SMK.
In my Sabatti Shooter ICM (20" barrel) and Sabatti Tacictal EVO US (22" barrel) I've consistently gotten sub-moa 9 shots groups.
Since I'm Italian, I'm getting this load here in Italy, so I do not know how it fares in the US, pricewise, but to make a comparison, here a 20 cartridges box of Fiocchi Exacta 175 is around 36€.
Federal Gold Medal Match 185 grains Berger is around 50€.
Another load that performs very well is the SAKO TRG Precision 175, with the Scenar-L bullet, but while it fares a tad better than the Fiocchi, it costs 55€/box.
I've been using the Fiocchi Exacta 175 for some time now, and it's become my default load due to quality, price and ease of sourcing.
On my last shooting session, a test of the Sabatti Tactical EVO US for Gunsweek magazine (www.gunsweek.com), I got an average velocity of 770 m/s (2526 fps) with an SD of 1,3 ms (4.26 fps).
SD goes up with shorter barrels, like the Shooter ICM's 20" compared to the Tactical EVO US's 22", to around 4,3 m/s (14.1 fps) so you may want to take this into account if shooting long range with a short barrel.
Data measured with Garmin Xero C1 Pro, 20°C, 85% HR at 2021 hpa.
Hope this helps.

good necro. OP hasn't been on here in over 6 and a half years

gunslinger · Oct 22, 2024

b6graham said:
good necro. OP hasn't been on here in over 6 and a half years

So?
The post is still here and someone else may find the info useful.

Turkeytider · Oct 22, 2024

I’ve been on a search for more “ budget friendly “ 6.5 Creedmoor rounds for my new Tikka Super Varmint. At least for my gun, the AAC ( PSA’s ammo brand ) and American Gunner ( Hornady ) have shot very well. Both have loads in .308.

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