Range Report Federal GMM 185gr Juggernaut

[aslrookie]

I bought two boxes of this ammo to try it out in my Howa 1500. It shoots Factory Hornady 155eld ammo like a laser at 2900fps.

I zeroed the federal and I was surprised that the elevation didn’t need any adjustment. Just two tenths left and done. I had a reduced IPSC setup at 480yds, wind was calm 5mph tops.

I estimated the MV to be 2650fps with a 26” barrel and suppressor. I dialed 2.8mils according to my AB app. Missed and hit low. I tried a couple more just incase I biffed the shot. Measured with the reticle and made a .5mil adjustment up. Dialed .5 and missed .5mil high.

I was so frustrated. The brass was all over the place. Some casings had no swipes, moderate swipes, and really bad swipes with a heavy bolt lift. This ammo didn’t seem consistent at all.

I went back to 100yds and checked the zero again. It was .5mil low. My guess is after sending 20 rounds of the ammo downrange it fouled the barrel with the 185gr vs the 155’s I’ve been using.

I fixed it and went back to 2.8mils at 480 yards. Still low. Measured, adjusted, then high again. I got so frustrated I just packed up and left. I’ve never struggled so much with so little results at 480 yards.

I am really leaning towards ammo on this one. I’ll be sticking with hornady from now on.

 

[FN-Whitney]

I run the 185's in my Rem 700 with 24" barrel at 2609 MV at 3800 DA, sub .5 at 100yds and consistent. I have never had a a problem like you are saying. If you want to try them again maybe clean the barrel and start fresh to eliminate any variables that way. I did have to true up my BC but that was really after 600. My 480 yds is 2.9 using Trasol at 2500 DA. Good Luck.

 

[aslrookie]

I run the 185's in my Rem 700 with 24" barrel at 2609 MV at 3800 DA, sub .5 at 100yds and consistent. I have never had a a problem like you are saying. If you want to try them again maybe clean the barrel and start fresh to eliminate any variables that way. I did have to true up my BC but that was really after 600. My 480 yds is 2.9 using Trasol at 2500 DA. Good Luck.

I was at 1650' elevation and 30.09 pressure. I've never really had much luck with federal ammo other than using it for 223. Even with the 69gr SMK factory ammo it had a really high ES on velocity, but it was still accurate enough to hit a target at 480 yards without any fuss.

 

[Dan M]

Lapua 185 Scenar .308 ammunition has always shot well for me out of a TRG-22 and would be a good control to rule out the rifle. It chronos around 2475.

Than being said...If you can chrono the GMM it should readily apparent whether the ammo is the problem.

 

[skyrep]

I had the same results with the Federal 185 Jug's. However, try the Berger 185 gr jaggernaults Target. On the target at 100 and 200 yards inside .5 MOA. The Bergers measured a .110 COAL longer than the Federal. MVP out of my 26" measured 2685 fps.

 

[OverWatching]

Thank you for letting me know, I was just about to try loading those. Literally today....

 

[Tree]

I load the 185 Juggernauts for my 26" .308 AI barrel. I can get consistent .5 moa or better and velocities at 2780. No pressure signs on my load. Really like the round for 308. This load is using 200-MR

 

[skyrep]

I am having good results at loading them at 2.910 COAL (.025 off the lands). However, that is what my rifle likes.
i've used Varget, RL-15 and H4895 and my besst results are with RL-15.

 

[aslrookie]

I am looking at the 155 scenar going fast with my 26” barrel. I think the .508bc is enough at 2900+ fps for a great setup. Lighter recoil for unsupported positions, flatter shooting, and shorter TOF.

 

[918v]

If only it had a .508 BC

 

[aslrookie]

If only it had a .508 BC

Well crap. I should’ve double checked lapuas website. First thing I saw was .508 but it’s .460. What a shame.

 

[SBGreen0369]

Factory loaded FGMM 185 Juggs.
First 3 rounds out of a brand new barrel. Schneider 1:12 24.5"
This stuff has been my go-to for a while. The ballistics out past 500yd when compared to the 175gr SMK is striking. Elevation dope at 800yds is 6.0 mil flat vs. 175's at 7.2mil.
Don't know if this info helps but I've had great luck with FGMM rifle ammo. right now, it's the only brand in my safe.

 

[deltawiskey]

Factory loaded FGMM 185 Juggs.
First 3 rounds out of a brand new barrel. Schneider 1:12 24.5"
This stuff has been my go-to for a while. The ballistics out past 500yd when compared to the 175gr SMK is striking. Elevation dope at 800yds is 6.0 mil flat vs. 175's at 7.2mil.
Don't know if this info helps but I've had great luck with FGMM rifle ammo. right now, it's the only brand in my safe.
View attachment 7102346

Good to see this! I just ordered up a case to try and was wondering if I was going to regret it...
DW

 

[VegasHKShooter]

The 185 Juggernaut is my absolute go to load for my SR-25’s. I don’t shoot.308 bolt guns, only in S/A.
The 185 Juggernats allow me to get out to 1K still well above supersonic with my 16” Carbines.
Between the Black Hills 175’s and the Federal 185 Juggernaut, that pretty well covers my .308 shooting.
I’ve experienced very good consistency, and decent SD.
Honestly, without having a Magnetospeed, or a Lab Radar, you are kind of guessing. You don’t know speed, SD, or anything. Hard to determine the cause with several variables.
I’d try to beg, or borrow one of those two things and see what you are able to determine.

 

[tschiemer]

Update: a member pm’d the drop and comeups in Mils so I have the information now. Much appreciated. Robert

Would someone PM me the bullet drop of the 308 factory round? I tried to email Federal as I need it for 100 yard zero-

every 100 to 1000 yards, to compute comeups.

Shooting out of about 24” factory SSG 3000 bbl.

Must buy a ballistic calculator. Just starting to shoot again and all I read says this is good like you all say.

Once I have it’s bullet drop will compute come ups in mills.

From federal’s site:
Robert




Gold Medal Berger

• Federalpremium.com
• Products
• Rifle
• Gold Medal
• Gold Medal Berger
• Gold Medal Berger

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GOLD MEDAL BERGER
Part #: GM308BH185

 

[fxdwgkd]

Update: a member pm’d the drop and comeups in Mils so I have the information now. Much appreciated. Robert

Would someone PM me the bullet drop of the 308 factory round? I tried to email Federal as I need it for 100 yard zero-

every 100 to 1000 yards, to compute comeups.

Shooting out of about 24” factory SSG 3000 bbl.

Must buy a ballistic calculator. Just starting to shoot again and all I read says this is good like you all say.

Once I have it’s bullet drop will compute come ups in mills.

From federal’s site:
Robert




Gold Medal Berger

• Federalpremium.com
• Products
• Rifle
• Gold Medal
• Gold Medal Berger
• Gold Medal Berger

Share
GOLD MEDAL BERGER
Part #: GM308BH185

From the Federal site, their numbers not mine

Load Number:	GM308BH185		Zero Range:	100 yd
Caliber:	308 Win.		Temperature:	59 °F
Bullet Style:	Berger Juggernaut OTM Tactical		Wind Speed:	10 mph
Bullet Weight:	185 gr		Altitude:	800 feet
Ballistic Coefficient:	0.552		Max Range:	1000 yd
Muzzle Velocity:	2600 fps
Sight Height:	1.5 in

Range (yd)	Drop (in)	Drop (MIL)	Wind Drift (in)	Wind Drift (MIL)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lb)
0	-1.5	-∞	0.0	-	2600	2777
100	0.0	0.0	0.6	0.2	2446	2458
200	-4.3	-0.6	2.5	0.3	2298	2169
300	-15.3	-1.4	6.0	0.6	2155	1907
400	-33.6	-2.3	11.0	0.8	2017	1670
500	-60.3	-3.4	17.6	1.0	1883	1457
600	-97.3	-4.5	26.5	1.2	1757	1268
700	-145.9	-5.8	37.5	1.5	1637	1101
800	-206.7	-7.2	50.5	1.8	1524	954
900	-282.9	-8.7	66.0	2.0	1418	826
1000	-377.6	-10.5	84.4	2.3	1323	719

 

[Speedarino]

The fed 185s shot well from custom Barllein rig and semi custom Rem. They matched HSM 168 Berger’s. 100 & 700 yds. The feds were cheaper and easier to find.

 

[M338]

My rifle loves this ammo,I’m getting 2710 fps out of a 30” Bartlein.

 

[skyrep]

2659 fps out of a 26" McGowen Precison Barrel.
I think I found the load. Now to test it further out.

 

[maverickasu]

I run the 185's in my Rem 700 with 24" barrel at 2609 MV at 3800 DA, sub .5 at 100yds and consistent. I have never had a a problem like you are saying. If you want to try them again maybe clean the barrel and start fresh to eliminate any variables that way. I did have to true up my BC but that was really after 600. My 480 yds is 2.9 using Trasol at 2500 DA. Good Luck.

Hey so I've been shooting these, they have been really accurate in my rifle. That said last range trip I was WAY high... Like 1.3 Mills at a grand high. I played with velocity to line up dope and hits some and I don't buy it.

2770 out of a 20 inch tube with a suppressor?

I was curious what y'all have found the real life bc in these to be... No I don't have a Chrono, yes I know I'm a hack

 

[maverickasu]

I shoulda added my numbers to the last post...

It was 100ish degrees, using .552 for bc...

10 Mills elevation and it was dead NUT center at 1000 yards. (.8 mils right wind)

715 yards 5.6 mil
600 4.2 mills

Like I said to get things lined up I bumped speed to 2770... I know it was hot buuut I'm just not buying that much speed out of a 20 inch barrel

 

[Kbh]

The factory fgmm 185 juggernauts shot great for me. My loads are spot on with JBM using the g7 BC of .287 out to 1400 yards

 

[wade2big]

I shoulda added my numbers to the last post...

It was 100ish degrees, using .552 for bc...

10 Mills elevation and it was dead NUT center at 1000 yards. (.8 mils right wind)

715 yards 5.6 mil
600 4.2 mills

Like I said to get things lined up I bumped speed to 2770... I know it was hot buuut I'm just not buying that much speed out of a 20 inch barrel

It really doesn’t matter. You know what you need to do with that ammo in that rifle with that particular scope.

 

[Kamerad]

Just put a few rounds downrange today. I’m still a novice, and as such am stoked to order more. So far, it’s grouping well.

 

[aslrookie]

Update:

Since I last posted, I have chopped my 1500 barrel down to 18.5" because I like shorter/more compact rifles. Thank you SBR's for ruining my need for utility vs velocity lol. I started using the Fed 185's exclusively. I was honestly surprised how well it did at 1,000 yards at 1600' elevation in the mountains. Now I live in the Midwest, so it will be interesting to see how they do at distance in comparison. 600 yards is still pretty easy.

Has anyone pulled a factory round apart and found out what their specs are? I have saved my brass just in case I started loading my own. I know I could load my own anyway, but it would be nice to have the same data/POI for reloads and factory.