your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

[icarus2005]

This is first my querry, hopefully it isn't too redundant for you more experienced shooters.

Okay, here's the deal: I'm not rich, and I can't get my ammo for free or cut rate via LE or the like. I assume a lot of you are in the boat.

I use the high dollar match for sighting in my rifles or competition. Federal Gold Match or HSM

1. the question is, what do you guys use for range practice and fooling around? Or rather how low of a quality will you guys go to?

2. do you use a cheaper match like Georgia Ammo Match in bulk for competitions that don't really matter that much to you? I would save about 30% doing that, which adds up to a pretty significant sum over a year period.

so at which lever of shooting do you shoot "x" grade of ammo?

1. LE or serious competition: this is obvous, you all use highest grade or handloads

2. Lessor competitions, more just for fun:

3. Fooling around and accuracy doesn't matter but reliability does: (this means no Brown Bear crap or the like)

Hopefully I will get some interesting, if not enlightening result from this.

Thanks
Ivan

 

[bdw0469]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

I always use the same ammo. If you switch then you are going to have different POI from one brand to another.

 

[Ultraman550]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

I use Privi Partisan 175 Match. I get 500 for $300. The brass is reloadable, and there isn't horrible inconsistency. Obviously not Federal or hand loads but for the price you get a great deal.

 

[icarus2005]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bdw0469</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I always use the same ammo. If you switch then you are going to have different POI from one brand to another. </div></div>

I've experienced some inconsistency but never a radical difference in POI, unless changing Gr.

perhaps I should have stated, given they are all the same gr

 

[icarus2005]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ultraman550</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use Privi Partisan 175 Match. I get 500 for $300. The brass is reloadable, and there isn't horrible inconsistency. Obviously not Federal or hand loads but for the price you get a great deal. </div></div>

I've used them and they are a great deal. But I'd never use them in a match, just can't help be leary of things that are real cheap.

 

[0481]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

Southwest ammo as my runner up. I roll my own. For now its about .52 a round.

 

[RedGoat]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

Southwest ammo is a great deal for high quality ammo. I've shot the 175 SMKs out to 1025y and they have been extremely accurate and consistent. They are making it hard for me to want to reload .308 anymore....

 

[KillShot]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

For plinking ammo, the Southwest Ammo Run & Gun.

 

[springerjb]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goatphius</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Southwest ammo is a great deal for high quality ammo. I've shot the 175 SMKs out to 1025y and they have been extremely accurate and consistent. They are making it hard for me to want to reload .308 anymore.... </div></div>
This. SW stuff runs less than $1 a round and shoots as well (for me) as FGMM (my first choice).

 

[B3dlam]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

Hand load! if you are worried about cost there is no better way here is a price comparison for you all prices I pulled of midway usa for ease of comparison.

100rnds FGMM 168 gr $149.95

Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent $124.27 (buying lapua brass)
Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent not buying brass $49.28

Here is the price breakdown for 100 rounds reloaded
Powder .61lbs of H4895 (assuming a 42.5 gr charge which is fairly hot)
Primers FGMM #210M Match large rifle primers $3.65 per 100
Bullets Sierra 168gr MatchKing $30.99 per 100
Brass Lapua .308 brass 74.99 (there is plenty of great brass but this stuff is arguably some of the best and is still cheaper then buying factory match)

 

[harbinger]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

+1 for SW Ammo, have had good results from everything I've tried from them. Keep an eye out, they run a special every now and then here on the Hide.

 

[45.308]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

I have shot AE 168 OTB out to around 500 with very good results, its quite accurate / consistent for the cost. Last year a bud of mine had consistent hits with his AR10, out to 700 I think. It has become my preferred ammo now but I am way more into having fun. I would use it over GMM 168 any day but I am not into comps.

For range practice and fooling around, (fundamentals) HSM 150gr and it is OK consistent for the cost in my pop guns.

 

[AussieShooter]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

This may sound stupid but why don't you get into reloading?

It has a bit of start up cost but if you buy a good quality scale with high precesion measurement you can make your ammo just as well as match ammo.

Each round costs half to a third of the price.

I reload my ammo to replicate the 175gr SMK

 

[CopperMach]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

+1 for SW ammo

I roll my own, but if I need some "pre-made" that is my go to choice for price/quality.

 

[icarus2005]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aussie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This may sound stupid but why don't you get into reloading?

It has a bit of start up cost but if you buy a good quality scale with high precesion measurement you can make your ammo just as well as match ammo.

Each round costs half to a third of the price.

I reload my ammo to replicate the 175gr SMK </div></div>

I am saving my brass. I figure when once I've saved up a thousand rounds or so I'll get started on that.

 

[nfoley]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

My backup is FGMM 168g - you can find pretty good deals on this ammo and has always been very accurate in my rifles.
Mostly I shoot my own reloads in 308.

 

[B3dlam]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ivan R</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aussie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This may sound stupid but why don't you get into reloading?

It has a bit of start up cost but if you buy a good quality scale with high precesion measurement you can make your ammo just as well as match ammo.

Each round costs half to a third of the price.

I reload my ammo to replicate the 175gr SMK </div></div>

I am saving my brass. I figure when once I've saved up a thousand rounds or so I'll get started on that.</div></div>

As I pointed out even buying brass its cheaper to reload by around $30 per 100 rounds of course if you have brass its cheaper by $100 per 100 a good scale is a bit pricey but well worth the expense and with the amount you save reloading if you shoot competitions and practice regularly like it sounds like you do you shouldn't have any issue paying back your initial investment in a very short period of time.

 

[VKC]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

Handload. I shoot the same ammo for everything. Consistency and understanding your ammo in different atmospheric and bore conditions is key.

 

[callen3615]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B3dlam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent not buying brass $49.28


</div></div>

Im sorry but how is that possible?

You cant find decent primers for under .30$ a piece, and you cant find decent 308 bullets for under .30$ a piece as well. Youve already got .60$ in the round before powder! How can you reload quality 308 ammo for .50$ a shot?

 

[icarus2005]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B3dlam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent not buying brass $49.28


</div></div>

Im sorry but how is that possible?

You cant find decent primers for under .30$ a piece, and you cant find decent 308 bullets for under .30$ a piece as well. Youve already got .60$ in the round before powder! How can you reload quality 308 ammo for .50$ a shot? </div></div>

You have to realize, some guys here are hard core and quarry their lead and copper, and crush their own powder like William Shatner did in that episode of Star Trek when he was stuck on a planet without a weapon

 

[GunKnowledge]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Im sorry but how is that possible?

You cant find decent primers for under .30$ a piece, </div></div>

Who the **** pays 30 cents a primer???

Cheap primers are a penny each, quality ones are still under a nickleat full retail.

 

[KYS]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

My 2nd choice would go to Black Hills Match 175gr

 

[mcmillanman5]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B3dlam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent not buying brass $49.28


</div></div>

Im sorry but how is that possible?

You cant find decent primers for under .30$ a piece, and you cant find decent 308 bullets for under .30$ a piece as well. Youve already got .60$ in the round before powder! How can you reload quality 308 ammo for .50$ a shot? </div></div>

I think you are over paying for primers.

 

[Ultraman550]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B3dlam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent not buying brass $49.28


</div></div>

Im sorry but how is that possible?

You cant find decent primers for under .30$ a piece, and you cant find decent 308 bullets for under .30$ a piece as well. Youve already got .60$ in the round before powder! How can you reload quality 308 ammo for .50$ a shot? </div></div>

30 cents a primer? Are they Gucci or Luis Vuitton?

 

[Cornholeo]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

Check the Options & Accessories section
for buys on pulled bullets. You can frequently find 175 SMK pulled bullets for .20 apiece in there. Lapua group buys are also found on here to help brass costs. The pulled SMKs I have bought from members on here have been excellent quality.

 

[1shot2kill]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

if i factored in the cost of my precision reloading equiment for making the best ammo that can be had its probrably more like 3-5.00 a round for 308

 

[B3dlam]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

I didnt factor in the reloading equipment but if you will read my origional post which I will requote for those that didnt bother to scroll up you can buy 100 FGMM primers for under $3.95. Powder is 14.63 for 100 rounds assuming a 42.5 gr charge of H4895 (which gives me speeds around 2690 pushing a 168gr SMK). Bullets are 30.99 per 100. The math is pretty simple.

$3.95(100 Primers)+$14.63(100 42.5 gr charges of H4895 or .61 lbs) + $30.99(100 168gr SMKs)=$49.57

These prices are all DIRECTLY OFF MIDWAY USA. I merely did a quick breakdown now initial investment to reload will be a few hundred dollars which the OP had already mentioned he wanted to do at some point anyways. I just gave a breakdown of how cheap reloading really is. You are looking at around $.50 a round which is pretty much what I would expect if you factor in buying your own brass and shooting it for we will say a comfortable 5 reloads you are looking at $ .64 a round still pretty damn cheap.

100rnds FGMM 168 gr $149.95

Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent $124.27 (buying lapua brass)
Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent not buying brass $49.28

Here is the price breakdown for 100 rounds reloaded
Powder .61lbs of H4895 (assuming a 42.5 gr charge which is fairly hot)
Primers FGMM #210M Match large rifle primers $3.65 per 100
Bullets Sierra 168gr MatchKing $30.99 per 100
Brass Lapua .308 brass 74.99 (there is plenty of great brass but this stuff is arguably some of the best and is still cheaper then buying factory match)

 

[B3dlam]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

Now my personal reloading setup includes some pricey items
RCBS chargemaster: $350~
Lee Reloading kit: $200~
.308 Dies: $75
Other miscellaneous: $150~
So I probably have around: $850~ invested in reloading supplies
Currently on midway usa again just my standard price reference as its easily accessible FGMM is 1.50~ a round so using my above stated .64 cents a round I need to load around 990 rounds to make up my initial investment that's really not asking a lot from any serious shooter especially considering other then the dies pretty much everything I have can be used on any other caliber I shoot.

 

[Ultraman550]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

B3Dlam, thanks for all that information, I agree. Plus once the total cost of the reloading equipment has been paid off, well then it really can't be factored into the cost of the bullet anymore.

 

[callen3615]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ultraman550</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B3dlam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Reloading 100 rnds FGMM Equivalent not buying brass $49.28


</div></div>

Im sorry but how is that possible?

You cant find decent primers for under .30$ a piece, and you cant find decent 308 bullets for under .30$ a piece as well. Youve already got .60$ in the round before powder! How can you reload quality 308 ammo for .50$ a shot? </div></div>

30 cents a primer? Are they Gucci or Luis Vuitton? </div></div>

Nevermind, decimal points are important. 30$ for 1000 primers is 3 cent a primer, not 30.

My bad.

 

[Muttt]

Re: your 2nd (not 1st) choice for 308 ammo?

If you buy a nice starter reloading kit .... regardless of make/model, its going to pay for itself in the first 500 rounds you load. If you were to buy the same 500 rounds, you would have paid the cost of the reloading equipment ..... after subtracting the cost of the reloaded rounds.