Range Report Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

[shoot4fun]

Yesterday, I stopped by a friend's farm where his private range goes from 100 to 1000 yards. It is a great place and I am lucky to have a great friend. I had my AIAE MKII with 20" tube on hand. This one is 1 in 12 twist, is threaded 5/8x24 for my YHM 7.62 Phantom and wears a NF 5.5-22x50 MLR/Mil with ZS & HS. In early testing the rifle showed it liked the FGMM 168 grain loads so that is what I brought. I was really curious, as all my 1000 yard shooting has been with 24" or longer barrels, to see if the "Gold Standard" could get to 1000 out of a 20" barrel. Starting at 100 yards, exact zero was found and ZS set. Moving back to 450 yards, we put data (some guessing involved) into the Droid and came up with elevation of 3 Mils. I, being a sceptic, put in 3.5 Mils and fired a round. After adjusting down to 3 Mils (and praising the ability of his Droid app) a three shot group, a 1" group with two in the same hole, appeared dead center. Feeling pretty sporty at this point, we decided to go directly to the 1000 yard line. The Droid was consulted and 10.5 Mils dialed in. Three shots and a trip to the target later we were scratching our heads and recalculating. Well, up to 11.2 Mils and three more rounds. That should do it, right? Target still blank

. OK, so now the Droid is in the pocket and we are "discussing" up or down. It was decided to go up once more and 11.7 Mils seemed like a good number. Three shots and a drive down to the target now has both of us cursing and head scratching. One hole at the very bottom of the backer and it appeared to be quite oblong. After more "discussion" we moved to 12.4 Mils, which is roughly 452". This time only two rounds and, considering the tumbling, just to see if those tumblers could even get on target. The last trip down range showed two oblong holes about 12" apart and .1 Mil to the right. Elevation was good.
So, I still want to get 1000 with the 20" tube but it will have to happen with a different load. Maybe I'll try some hot 155 grain loads next time.

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

Yeah saw that coming.

From what I have learned here the 168's are usually done after about 750. Not to say it can't be done but most the time they are done.

Go back with 175's and I bet you will have a different outcome. 155's Scenars or the Palmas from Sierra will also work but I prefer 175's.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

175 is what I usually shoot too. From my 24" Bartlien I get 2720 with the 175 SMK and 44.7 Varget from Lapua brass. It makes 1000 with no problems. I think the 155 will work when pushed hard but I am not sure I can push it hard enough in the 20" barrel. Berger VLD shows promise in this gun so I may try them in 155 and 176 weights.

 

[NukeMMC]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

My 21" 1:12 308 barrel pushes FGMM 168 at 2625 on a 70F day at 1050ft elev. If I use my data, I would get to 1000 with 11.3mils and be barely supersonic (1160 fps). It sounds like you are either 100+ fps slower or the actual bc is lower than what Shooter has in its memory or a combination.

As stated above, the 175s shoot great from a 1:12. The higher sectional density requires more "push" to move them than the 155s. With a 20" barrel, you'll be stuffing cases like a fiend to get 2900fps.

 

[Sulenski]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

It took me 38 minutes of elevation to hit a 1000 yard target with the 168s out of a 20inch barrel. Also those rounds where sub sonic by the time they reached the target. I figured the rounds fell out of supersonic flight around the tail end of the 800 yard mark. My friend who was pulling my targets for me down in the pit also said that they didnt sound right when he heard the pops over head.

Longer barrel and a heavier bullet or a flatter shooting one like the 155scenar has better results at the 1k line. The 168 is good for 300 yard shooting. IIRC the 168 was developed with olympic target shooting in mind.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

Midway sale FGMM 175's ends 8/31.

Greg

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

Don't normally shoot factory ammo, just got a good deal on some 168 a while back. Thanks for the heads up though.
A range session today got me some good dope out to 500 (as far as my club range goes). My son is planning on shooting his first comp this coming weekend and it will be his rifle there.

 

[plh]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

I've had trouble getting 175's/178's (all flavors: Black Hills, Hornady Match(reg. and superperformance), FGGM, SW Ammo) to perform in a 24" 1:12 FN SPR. The FGMM 168's shine with .7-.8" groups at 200 yrds. and 80-90% on the small dots at 100.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete H.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've had trouble getting 175's/178's (all flavors: Black Hills, Hornady Match(reg. and superperformance), FGGM, SW Ammo) to perform in a 24" 1:12 FN SPR. The FGMM 168's shine with .7-.8" groups at 200 yrds. and 80-90% on the small dots at 100. </div></div>

Well, if 200 is all you're doing, the 168's are definitely fine. Even at 500 yards they are GTG in my 20". I have not had a problem getting the 175 SMK to 1000 yards in a 24" barrel. And they provide under 1/2 MOA accuracy @ 500 yards pretty regularly when I do my part.

 

[plh]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

200 is all that's immediately available. I was hoping for better from the 175's for the occasional visit to Tac-Pro and the 1000 yrd. range. I was able to dial in the 168's for consistent hits on 18" steel on the last visit but I knew they were running out of gas.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

I wish I had a 1000 yard range nearby.
The 168, as I reported, could get on your 18" steel at 1000. The two rounds I fired were about 12" apart. The steel most likely didn't tell the tale like the paper I shot. You wouldn't necessarily see the imprint of saying bullets there.
I am really surprised that the 175 didn't work out for you. Do you reload?

 

[plh]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

Not yet. Interestingly, the 7.62 rounds from SWA outperformed the match .308. My understanding is they will be a lighter charge than the regular .308 which gives me hope that a custom 175/178 round can be load developed for my barrel. I've tried upping the velocity with the Hornady 178 Superperformance to no avail. So a lesser muzzle velocity than the standard match round may be the ticket as witnessed by the improvement with the 7.62. Sounds like time to start learning the art of reloading. (BTW, I'm looking at a box of Alabama peaches brought to me this morning by one of the states finest saints. Like the 168-175 face-off, they'll have to do battle with the Texas peach!)

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

It sounds like your rifle likes to be in a slower node. Problem is, even though you are getting good accuracy from the 175 at slower velocity, you may not be making headway. It is not so much bullet weight as design (BC) and velocity that get you the 1000 mark.
I love the Chilton county (AL) peaches. There is a place on I-65 at Clanton, AL that has the best peach ice cream I ever had. I hope the TX peach crop is good this year. I hear there hasn't been much rain out there. My prairie dog trip to Marathon just got canceled because of drought.

 

[plh]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

As they say, you can see tire tracks going across the lakes. Yea, its dry but the peach crop is holding its own. If the prairie dogs are thin, I know some W.Texas ranchers who would love to have some Sand Dune Lizards removed prior to the endangered species listing.
Regarding this long range shooting stuff, I don't even know what I don't know if you know what I mean. A lot of read material with not enough practical confirmation beyond 200 yrds. Sorry to rob your thread, but your experience in the OP resonated with my recent experimentation.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

When you shoot from a short barrel you need 1 of two things (or both)- high BC bullets and as much speed as possible, leaning to the higher BC first. A 155 is ok since you can get it going decently fast. I personally like the 190 SMK. It has good BC, and you can push it fast enough to get to 1K and beyond. We have shot the 208 A-max out of 18" and 20" barrels with 1:12" twist, but some have fallen apart from 800 yards and out. So, I can't recommend it until you test it at distance. I'd lean toward a 190 SMK, or 185 or 190 Berger VLD. This will solve your problem.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

I tried some 190 SMK today loaded with 42 grains of Varget. I only had time to shoot at 100 yards. They shot OK but not up to the potential of the gun. Velocity was lower than I wanted to see. They averaged 2445 FPS in the 20" barrel. On the plus side, the groups with the suppressor on were much better than without and the SD was right at 6 FPS. I really think I need to get to over 2500 with the 190 SMK. Anyone want to share a good, safe load?

 

[FCS]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

I'm running 42 gr of RL-15, LC LR brass, 190 SMK @ 2.850" OAL, and M34 primer in a 20" AR w/Brux barrel. Chronographed at 2494, ES of 13 fps.

YMMV

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I tried some 190 SMK today loaded with 42 grains of Varget. I only had time to shoot at 100 yards. They shot OK but not up to the potential of the gun. Velocity was lower than I wanted to see. They averaged 2445 FPS in the 20" barrel. On the plus side, the groups with the suppressor on were much better than without and the SD was right at 6 FPS. I really think I need to get to over 2500 with the 190 SMK. Anyone want to share a good, safe load? </div></div>
Keep going up. Load up 3 or 4 rounds of 42.3, 42.6, 42.9, and maybe 43.2, and see what you get. Watch for pressure as you increase powder. You should see it tighten up with a little more powder. The suppressor helped because it increases pressure some. You're almost there. The 190 SMK will get you there!

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

Range trip in the A.M. with 42.5 Varget and 47 IMR4350 under the 190 SMK.
You're right Chad, I think I'm close. JBM says 2500 FPS muzzle will stay sonic to 1000. Longest distance I have tomorrow is 500 yards. If it works there I'll try to get it out longer in a couple of weeks.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Federal Gold Medal Match in 308

IMR4350 load sucked but the 42.5 Varget really tightened up. I was shooting at 200 yards today and three shot groups ran 3/4 MOA or a little smaller.
Sometimes had two in the same hole. I'm gonna load some up and wait for the next time I get to a 1000 yard range.