Match ammo recommendations for 308 DPMS Heavy Fluted 18" barrel

[dieselcruiserhead]

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for this or this type of barrel - 18" heavy, fluted, 1:10. Groups so far have been about 2" - less than I care for, in a long indoor range. I'd love any recommendations where to start with all of the different match grade ammos out there before I start trying everything. At this time, I dont have the ability to load so I'm shooting match grade only. I'll get to doing reloads mostly through friends, at some point.

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So far, I have shot the ELDx and Federal Gold (with both the lighter Sierra and I forget the other heavier bullet, maybe a Berger). Groups were better but not great. If anyone has had any successes or recommendations, I'm all ears. I have heard with these DPMS barrels that some shoot great, some shoot OK and it's hit or miss.

From there, I'll either give up on the barrel (and may switch to 6.5 Creedmoor perhaps, though I love 308 and I have a 6.5 creedmoor bolt gun already) and get something better like a Rainier Ultramatch, possibly a Shilen, Proof, or whatever else may be recommended.. I would love to built this AR10 into as accurate as humanly possible. All other boxes are checked, good glass, Aero Upper and lower, good bolt carrier group, etc etc. It will also go so a smith at somepoint to make sure it's clean and good too.

thanks

 

[lawofsavage]

My starting point is always 168 FGMM in 308. Then I really like the 178 ELD Super performance also.

 

[Ledzep]

155 ELDM or BTHP American Gunner

 

[hlee]

Federal gold medal match 168 SMK and Hornady match 168 AMAX both shoot sub moa out of my 24" bull barreled DPMS lr308.

 

[Kickin45]

Federal 168 and 175 MK’s

 

[diggler1833]

My LR308B is a 2 MOA rifle with factory hunting ammo, all types. With Atomic 168gr, it shoots MOA.

Handloading 175gr SMK over 41.8gr IMR 4064 produced 1/2 minute groups, but the velocity is so low that I kind of just forgot about the rifle. I want to say it was less than 2500 FPS, but don't quote me.

I still have a few mags worth of Atomic laying around along with the dope card taking me out to just 400 yards. It did just fine.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Federal 168 smk shoots .5-.75” out of my 20” psa. I want to try the ppu 168gr match. Local store has it for $14.99

 

[shax2lex]

I’m going to reiterate the FGMM. If it won’t shoot that then check the gun. Are you sure everything with the gun and scope are correct? Maybe worth a check. Good luck.

 

[Centuriator]

My starting point is always 168 FGMM in 308. Then I really like the 178 ELD Super performance also.

This for me as well, but I generally have had best results with FGMM 175gr.

I bought several boxes of the "new" Prime Ammo in 168 and 175 to give it a try. Hopeful it can become my "go to" match ammo

 

[TangoSierra916]

This for me as well, but I generally have had best results with FGMM 175gr.

I bought several boxes of the "new" Prime Ammo in 168 and 175 to give it a try. Hopeful it can become my "go to" match ammo

Let us know how the Prime ammo is, I was also looking at the 175gr.

 

[lawofsavage]

This for me as well, but I generally have had best results with FGMM 175gr.

I bought several boxes of the "new" Prime Ammo in 168 and 175 to give it a try. Hopeful it can become my "go to" match ammo

I 100% agree if you're saying that there is less wind drift and drop with the 175's but in general I've found the 168's shoot slightly better for me with short distance stuff but they both normally shoot great

 

[aslrookie]

185gr GMM Berger

 

[mheimer_45]

I’ve got that exact same barrel and my hand loads always go back to the 168 Amax with Varget. I can give you load data if you’d like.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Awesome - thanks @mheimer_45 I'll message you direct as I'm about to walk out the door. And thanks everyone else! I picked up mostly 168 grain and some of the Hornady Super Match as well (rather than the ELD). I put a new Athlon Chronos BTR tonight (instead of the basic Athlon Argos I had on it before), new mount, level, triple checked everything. The gun is really nice with a nickel boron BTG, etc. I'll try the 186 grain next after that.

I do want it to get close to .5 MOA or better. I am thinking a good barrel and maybe have a gunsmith give it a once over. If anyone is really dialed on AR10s and in Salt Lake City, feel free to message me. I have a few friends into this but am new to it and am learning.

On my way to the indoor range now. Likely outdoor at longer distances tomorrow. Will report back stictly on better ammo and the better optics and mount, if that has any impact. COuld be user error too, I hate to admit. Thanks

 

[101stinfantry]

Federal 168 smk shoots .5-.75” out of my 20” psa. I want to try the ppu 168gr match. Local store has it for $14.99

Don't, that will be a perfectly good waste of $14.99. Very inconsistent velocity, high SD's. I tried it two different times, and got the same result both times.

 

[bfoosh006]

How many rounds have been fired through the DPMS barrel ?

Some barrels "need" a longer break in period.... so maybe don't give up on it yet.

If you have access to a bore cam, I'd check the barrels leade and bore.... and give it a through Kroil, JB Bore polish, and VFG Felt Bore pellets cleaning.

 

[nn8734]

Lots of good match ammo recommendations here; I’m sure the barrel has a preference for bullets from one or two manufacturers over the rest, as is usually the case...

I suggest upgrading your trigger...Geissele, KAC, Trigger Tech, CMC, Timney and many others to choose from. Best bang for your buck improvement you can make to an otherwise factory gun.

It may feel completely different (better) and your groups will tighten up, all other things equal (I.e. running the fundamentals consistently correctly).

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

thanks all. @bfoosh006 excellent video and recommednation. It's got about 200-300 rounds through it now, I estimate. I bought it from the classifieds nearly new, the buy was an AR builder for fun, built this for himself and said he just didn't like 308 in the end, and claimed less than 100 round through it. It certainly appeared that way as there was nearly no wear near the ejector (whereas there is now plenty with my 200-300 rounds). I'll try probably 50 more rounds as is, then will start working on trying to get the barrel to perform better. I will likely switch to 6.5 creedmoor though (at some point), but will have a borescope gone through it as well.

@nn8734 agreed - good advice as well. The gun is very well setup (cant remember if I posted this above), Aero Precision enhanced upper and lower, Geissele trigger (I've swapped this around on a few other ARs a few times and love it, its back on the 10 now permanently, probably. I'll go ahead and clean the barrel and am bringing it to a new gunsmith buddy who will also go through it.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I like the FGMM 168, but buy the IMI 168 Semi-Auto Match.

7.62x51 NATO

Greg

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

x2 on not giving up on the barrel yet.. factory tubes usually will take longer than custom aftermarket barrels to break in and settle into consistent velocities, except for higher end rifles ie JP and such.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Check out the Hornady TAP-AR. Shoot that out of my Larie OBR 18” and it’s very accurate. .5 inch when my head is out of my ass.

 

[AZgeek]

Don't, that will be a perfectly good waste of $14.99. Very inconsistent velocity, high SD's. I tried it two different times, and got the same result both times.

Got 500 rounds of brand new PPU M80 ball last year. Worst shit I've ever shot. 1011st comment is spot on. Don't!

 

[OldSalty]

+1 for federal 168gr GMM.

 

[TangoSierra916]

+1 for federal 168gr GMM.

just to double check you’re talking this ammo not another bullet or tip? thanks

 

[OldSalty]

just to double check you’re talking this ammo not another bullet or tip? thanks

Correct. Try the 168gr GMM SMK's. Sierra Match King.

Federal 308 Win Ammunition Gold Medal GM308M 168 Grain Sierra Matchking Boat Tail Hollow Point 20 Rounds

Federal Gold 308 168gr Sierra MK BTHP 20 per box

www.outdoorlimited.com

The packaging changed recently for both .308 and 3006 168gr SMK GMM. But the sku should be the same.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

original poster here...

On a side note, I installed a new scope on the AR10 and went to shoot it and forgot to bring any junk ammo to get the scope xero'd. I brought Hornady and some Norma ammo this time insteasd of the Federal Sierra Match Gold which is the best I've been ever been able to shoot out of it. But wasn't even on the paper, so not to waste the expensive match ammo, I just set down the AR10 308 and shot the AR15 on Sunday.


RE the AR15, I was sort of nearly in the same boat, ready to give up on that barrel too (nearly identical setup - a buddy built if from scratch from me, Aero Precision and good everything), probably 500 rounds through that but it was brand new. But he forgot where the barrel came from and his philosophy of "accurate" is much looser than mine. I'm pretty sure its a 20" version of this AR Stoner bull barrel. Non fluted, 1" thick, fucking gorgeous. But "cheap." Ammo was all over the place there too. Cheap Federal mostly.

But anyway, I met this kid who owns https://impactammo.com/ at a gun show and he is a national champ .223 shooter, and he sold me 100 rounds for about $28 I think, aka cheaper than Wal Mart. Its a cheap load but he claims its exactly what he shoots for his comps. Anyway, low and behold, several .75 MOA groups! I shot 120 rounds of .223 I believe. So I had a fucking blast shooting the 15 for the first time in eons. Cheap but good ammo. And just fun. As a result, I just moved a better scope to the 15 now and am pretty fucking pumped about that gun too now.

Overall I am slowly becoming a better shooter and I agree that these barrels seem to be getting better. Never properly "broke them in" with cleans etc. Just f'g shot them. And getting better technique, natural resting place, loading the bipod, breathing, etc etc.

This video was very helpful for me.

I'll get there, I'm pretty sure. Hopefully with this AR10 as well too (as is). But I may spring for another fancy barrel too. We'll see....

thx!!

 

[Cayenne6]

Another vote for Federal 175 SMKS

 

[OldSalty]

just to double check you’re talking this ammo not another bullet or tip? thanks

If you give them a try let us know how they work out for you.

 

[KAIFS]

Federal gold medal match 168 SMK and Hornady match 168 AMAX both shoot sub moa out of my 24" bull barreled DPMS lr308.

Same set up here with Steiner military glass (HEAVY mofo) + JP extractor + JPFC1 trigger and FGMM 168 is my best shooting commercial ammo out of it - submoa all day

 

[TangoSierra916]

Highly recommend the PRIME 175 grain .308. The LMT MWS loved the ammo, impressed me!

5 round group below in good ole 30 degree snow flurries today. ?

 

[bfoosh006]

SGAmmo.com has a very decent price on 168gr FGMM...

https://www.sgammo.com/product/fede...l-gold-medal-match-168-grain-bthp-ammo-gm308m

 

[Liontamer]

Just come across this thread. I own this same gun! 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards every time with Black Hills Gold Medal Match in 168 g. BTHP! Have really good luck all around with 168’s in the 1:10 twist on this gun. If I’m shooting passed 600 yards it does very well with 175 grain BHA as well. Groupings at 100 with 175’s are closer to one inch.