Match Ammo?

[ejd049]

I am trying to get my stuff together for a precision rifle class at Tiger Valley or Tac Pro. I know some of these guys are here on the hide so I ask the question!!!! Would accurate reloaded ammo be able to take the place of match ammo for this class? Just trying to save a little money and shoot some ammo that I know works for my rifle!!!!

Thanks

 

[Lindy]

Re: Match Ammo?

I cannot speak for TV or TacPro, but I'll give the perspective of Rifles Only on handloaded ammunition.

Our primary concern is that your ammunition be reliable and safe.

Too often we've had people bring reloads from northern states, and have them blow primers or worse in the heat at sea level in south Texas. That hinders their training, and often they wind up paying for factory ammunition to replace what they brought.

Given that you're in Fort Worth, that would be less of a concern.

If you're an experienced reloader, and the load you're taking is not a new load, but one you have experience with, it shouldn't be a problem, unless the particular site has a rule against them.

I would, though, weigh every loaded round, to ensure that there actually is powder in every one of those cases, just as I'd do for ammunition I was going to shoot at a match.

 

[Lindy]

Re: Match Ammo?

P.S. - if you have a tight chamber, or if you only neck-size when you reload, take factory match ammo. If you normally seat those bullets long to minimize jump, take factory ammo.

You'll be dragging that rifle around and shooting a lot, and it will get dirty. A bolt makes a lousy tool for resizing cases, and rounds that won't go in a dirty chamber - or worse, won't extract from one - are going to represent a serious problem.

For a .308, for example, I'd take no round longer than 2.810 inches, and I'd make sure every one would go in a factory headspace gauge.

 

[J.Boyette]

Re: Match Ammo?

Sir,

What Lindy posted is VERY true. I have experienced the same thing in my classes.

One word of advise. DO NOT BRING new untested gear to your first class. You want to bring equipment you know will work and stuff you can learn on.

I have had many a student bring new ammunition, new this or that and when it did not work as the student wanted, it took away from there learning experience.

John

 

[Emilio]

Re: Match Ammo?

What Mr. Boyette says is very true. I have been that guy. I took a new holster to a fighting pistol class. The pistol retaining strap was very tight and slowed me down which in turn slowed down the class. Use what you have and what you know will work.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Match Ammo?

Two items I think I'd like along with me...

One of those hook type paint can openers (doubles nicely as a manual extractor if the primer blows and takes out the extractor. No matter what you bring, somebody's gonna blow a primer anyway...). It's slow and it's embarassing, but a rifle will function without its extractor. Don't ask me how I know...

A .45 caliber chamber brush mounted seperately on its own pistol cleaning rod (does a great job of getting crap out of the chamber pronto, which just a cleaning rod and bore brush <span style="font-style: italic">won't</span> do...).

Greg

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Match Ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ejd049</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would accurate reloaded ammo be able to take the place of match ammo for this class? Just trying to save a little money and shoot some ammo that I know works for my rifle!!!!</div></div>
If loaded properly, then yes. Full length size your cases and be sure not to seat the bullet into the lands. Precision handloaded ammo to your rifle will out perform factory ammo. I haven't shot a factory rifle round in many years, including classes and matches.