What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

[57Strat]

First of all, I don't reload. I want to buy some match ammo for my 16" (chrome lined) LMT 308MWS. Has anyone done any testing to see what factory match ammo is a good match for this rifle?

Also, I have an ACOG TA11 that is ranged to 1200 meters. What bullet weight should I get to keep the ranging on the ACOG correct or somewhat correct?

Thanks!

 

[2ndPanzer]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

M118LR or equivilent, as I suspect thats what the rifle was designed for. So basically Fed GMM 175's. I would go with the 7.62x51 version for the semi, and its great brass to save for when you do reload. Then just just dump 44.3 of RE15 in them and top it with a 175 sierra and be back in business.

 

[Conrad101st]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

If you dont mind 168 grain, cabelas is selling Federal Gold Medal Match 168 SMK BTHP for $19.99 per box

Have no idea if it will shoot good in your weapon or if it matches your reticle.

What power magnification is your ACOG out of curiosity?

 

[poke5353]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

17.99 here

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1120.php

175gr for 19.95

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1596.php

 

[3O8Junkie]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

In my experience you need to get out past 100 to even tell the difference between the 7.62 175 FGMM, and the 168 .308 FGMM if thats what were comparing here. My best 2 groups with my 18" Noveske N6 are with those 2 factory loads shot back to back, in the rain, with a 1x4 Accupoint. I thought the 175 looked like a tighter group but this is at 100yds YMMV.

 

[judgedelta]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

Anyone have the equivalent load for the 168 gr. FGMM?

 

[57Strat]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Conrad101st</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you dont mind 168 grain, cabelas is selling Federal Gold Medal Match 168 SMK BTHP for $19.99 per box

Have no idea if it will shoot good in your weapon or if it matches your reticle.

What power magnification is your ACOG out of curiosity? </div></div>


My ACOG is a 3.5x35mm and is ranged to 1200 yards. Trijicon says the ranging marks are calibrated to a 168 grain out of a 20" barrel. My barrel is 16".


I have no idea what to buy. This is my first rifle that is really accurate. All of my other rifles I have only shot surplus ammo.

 

[Conrad101st]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

Isnt it great!

The burdens of being a free citizen.

 

[Conrad101st]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: poke53</div><div class="ubbcode-body">17.99 here

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1120.php

175gr for 19.95

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1596.php </div></div>

That's a smoking deal. Better break my piggie bank

 

[57Strat]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

What about the Privi Partizan Match 168 or 175 gr. That goes for about $13 a box of 20.

 

[BCP]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

PRVI 168 match is good for some but not all. I think federal gold medal match is your best bet.

 

[57Strat]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

Am I understanding correctly that the Federal Gold Metal match ammo is available in .308 and also 7.62x51mm?

 

[Impact]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 57Strat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Am I understanding correctly that the Federal Gold Metal match ammo is available in .308 and also 7.62x51mm? </div></div>

yes. I use both in 175gr flavor

 

[Impact]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 57Strat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What about the Privi Partizan Match 168 or 175 gr. That goes for about $13 a box of 20. </div></div>

not too bad for plinking some steel. I had no issues at 620 yards with the GAP and Privi 175gr ammo.

 

[Prairie Dog Dundee]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

My best match ammo results were with M118LR or the equivalent handload which is shown on the second photo. I read about that this is the load data for M118LR and I pull the bullet from a round and measured it. Sure enough. The pulled powder is darker because of a flash suppressant but I can mix this hand load with M118LR and the groups are the same as either load shot separately. I did not do as well with the FGM 168 or 175g both were at or slightly over 1 moa. The Federal American Eagle 168 OTM M1a load went about .8 moa inside 500 yards as did the Prvi Partizan 168g. The Prvi Partizan 175 went a little bigger but it's an interesting load in that the bullet is a FMJ with an exposed lead base rather than a OTM bullet. The Fiocchi 168g OTM load went into 3/4 moa at 100 yards but I did not try it further out. All photos show targets using M118lr or equivalent handload, all groups are five shots. Top, yellow steel 500 yards with a 3 1/2 inch group, white steel 300 yards rapid fire and paper 100 yards. Second photo is a close up of the paper target shown above. Third photo was shot at 700 yards and measures 7 1/2 inches. Last photo shows the same target with a second group, again 700 yards.

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[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Re: What Match Ammo for LMT 308MWS?

I don't have pics, but qualitatively I've had good luck with Hornday 168AMAX, FMMG 168 and the PRVI 168gr was not as good, but not bad.

Witht the 16CL barrel, PRVI 175gr popped two primers out of about 150 rounds shot- figured it out after I looked at my brass from the match. I didn't have any popped primers with my 18inch (rifle length gas) SS barrel with the 175gr ammo.

I really want to get some of that Federal M1A 168gr, that reportedly has the best performance for the price in the LMT.

 

[Woolite]

Thought this was interesting: The article discusses which ammo the Brits considered/used for their designated marksman 'shootouts' that the LMT308MWS eventually won. The wanted the winning weapon to be able to digest both the 155g sniper, and the standard ball, sometimes pulled from machine gun links. Sharpshooter: The UK?s New L129A1 7.62x51mm Rifle
The results go somewhat towards the lighter projectile in the 16" 1:11 barrel. Check my numbers and conclusions.