I recently bought some 7.62 ammunition from Freedom munition and went to the range to see how it would stack up against other similar ammo. I was simply looking for a more readily available option/load as opposed to other more superior loadings/brands. This particular loading is their rendition of M118LR, 7.62x51 175gr SMK (at least they claim it’s a SMK. I’m not positive). The rifle being used is an LR308 rifle that I built, and yes I am a competent builder. It’s based on an Aero upper and lower with a pre-fire Noveske N6 16” match barrel. Lantac BCG. This rifle is pretty consistent a 1.25-1 MOA rifle when shooting 6x5’s or any groupings greater than just 3 shots. (Even I get lucky sometimes and can shoot a .5 group with only 3 shots. But where’s the fun in that!)
All of that aside, the point of this thread is really about reviewing the ammo purchased from freedom. Upon initial opening of the boxes, I immediately noticed what I was 99.9% positive was powder grains (I have been reloading for many years… I’m actually 100% positive it was powder) static clung to the bullets. Now it wasn’t much but I would have to say anywhere from 3-10 grains PER CARTRIDGE. This may to some seem like not that big of a deal, but I thought it was very odd. Not to mention when thrown into a headspace gauge, it wasn’t able to seat properly. But I digress.
Moving on to the range. This is where my disappointment settled in the most. I’m by no means the granddaddy of reloading or AR precision marksmanship or sniper. However, I do pride myself in being ever so slightly skilled and knowledgeable in firearms and marksmanship. Take my opinion with a grain of salt. The first 3 shots seemed normal as could be other than ejecting in the 1oclock direction. The 4th shot is where things took a turn. A blown out primer and a jammed gun. After dropping the mag and mortaring my rifle on the deck, I was able to clear the malfunction and move on. A few more shots, and again…. Another blown primer and anvil wedged between my BCG and upper. Mortar again. After observing a dozen or so cases, it was evident that I was experiencing a vast range of pressures and powder charges. Some cases seemed very normal for a gas 308 with light ejector marks but some of them were very extreme and rendered the cases damaged and then some of those had the primers blown out of them. I think out of 30 or 31 shots, I had 8 blown primers. (I know. I’m the jackass that kept shooting when most would’ve ended right there!) let’s not forget to mention the 3 light primer strikes, and the one cartridge that had a deformed/belled case mouth that when chambered after firing, had to be mortared out because it wouldn’t load all the way and was wedged in the chamber. There’s a pic below of it.
All of that being said. I am very disappointed in this ammo. I have shot some of their 5.56 77gr stuff that was actually decent in my book. But this “m118lr” knock off was very disappointing. I really hope I didn’t damage my gun but it is what it is.
Here are some pics of the ammo, cases, primer pockets and rifle. Feel free to engage in conversation or ask any questions or call me a dip shit for continuing to shoot that ammo and risk myself and the fun!
All of that aside, the point of this thread is really about reviewing the ammo purchased from freedom. Upon initial opening of the boxes, I immediately noticed what I was 99.9% positive was powder grains (I have been reloading for many years… I’m actually 100% positive it was powder) static clung to the bullets. Now it wasn’t much but I would have to say anywhere from 3-10 grains PER CARTRIDGE. This may to some seem like not that big of a deal, but I thought it was very odd. Not to mention when thrown into a headspace gauge, it wasn’t able to seat properly. But I digress.
Moving on to the range. This is where my disappointment settled in the most. I’m by no means the granddaddy of reloading or AR precision marksmanship or sniper. However, I do pride myself in being ever so slightly skilled and knowledgeable in firearms and marksmanship. Take my opinion with a grain of salt. The first 3 shots seemed normal as could be other than ejecting in the 1oclock direction. The 4th shot is where things took a turn. A blown out primer and a jammed gun. After dropping the mag and mortaring my rifle on the deck, I was able to clear the malfunction and move on. A few more shots, and again…. Another blown primer and anvil wedged between my BCG and upper. Mortar again. After observing a dozen or so cases, it was evident that I was experiencing a vast range of pressures and powder charges. Some cases seemed very normal for a gas 308 with light ejector marks but some of them were very extreme and rendered the cases damaged and then some of those had the primers blown out of them. I think out of 30 or 31 shots, I had 8 blown primers. (I know. I’m the jackass that kept shooting when most would’ve ended right there!) let’s not forget to mention the 3 light primer strikes, and the one cartridge that had a deformed/belled case mouth that when chambered after firing, had to be mortared out because it wouldn’t load all the way and was wedged in the chamber. There’s a pic below of it.
All of that being said. I am very disappointed in this ammo. I have shot some of their 5.56 77gr stuff that was actually decent in my book. But this “m118lr” knock off was very disappointing. I really hope I didn’t damage my gun but it is what it is.
Here are some pics of the ammo, cases, primer pockets and rifle. Feel free to engage in conversation or ask any questions or call me a dip shit for continuing to shoot that ammo and risk myself and the fun!
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