LMT MARS-H 7.62 PISTON, MLKMWS16PS-MARS

[Easy]

First post.
Just purchased a new LMT MARS-H 7.62 PISTON, MLKMWS16PS-MARS. Will be scoping within a couple weeks. No need for a can (for now).
I'll be shooting out to 400 yards (max); coyotes, large racoons, & the like. I'll try different ammo manufactures/ grain weights, but I'm learning that 168 grain may be the rifle's preference. Looks like 175 gr. may be an option too.
I would appreciate feedback from someone that has this exact rifle and can comment on ammo preference.

Thank you.

 

[longshot2000]

Very familiar with the rifle, and test fire and have a personal rifle in gas configuration. You are in the right area with 168 gr or a little higher, like 175 gr. We work with a number of military rifles, and you probably know this, but here is a good article on the M118 and M118LR rounds: https://snipercentral.com/history-m118-ammunition/

 

[Easy]

Thank you for your reply, article link and insight.
With my shots ≤400 yards, I'll focus on the 168 gr. Any thoughts on where to buy 1k rounds (targetsportsusa.com, AmmoBuy.com, trueshotammo.com)? Most activity will be target shooting with some varmint shots so I'm looking at HP-BT and FMJ-BT bullets.
Do I need BT bullets for ≤400 yards?
Thank you again Sir!

 

[clubmanager]

Any updates? I’ve got a MARS-H and wondering if I should add a piston version for suppressor use.