Where do you draw the line with .308 ammo?

[old11bravo]

Well I've built and shot my Mega Maten AR10. I went and sighted it in. During the "zeroing" process it became apparent that I had somewhat less than stellar ammo. I wasn't getting consistent shot placement and the rounds seemed to have a mind of their own at times. Admittedly, I'm no Navy Seal sniper and I can accept that, but I would like to improve my shot groups and the efficiency of the weapon without breaking the bank every time I want to go shoot it.

Where do you draw the line between good, accurate ammo and cost effectiveness that allows you to shoot once a week? Please advise me of what ammo you use in .308 for results that are acceptable to you?

[dousan]

Start reloading
Single stage press and buy parts/told from private sellers on calguns

[varanidguy]

dousan is correct.

If you want to shoot .308 regularly, the most economic way is by reloading.

If you are looking for factory ammo that isn't super expensive (for factory), check out American Eagle 150gr FMJBT (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/953...l-metal-jacket) but that $1 per round is about the norm for that ammo. Quite ridiculous, IMO. I reload 175gr SMK equivalents from RMR for .308 and it costs me about $0.25-$0.30 per round...a massive savings in cost on the ammo. But getting set up can be costly...it is worth it, though!

[Mot Mi]

Start reloading
Single stage press and buy parts/told from private sellers on calguns

This, why bother with high quality ammo and spend lots of money on tack driving guns when a reloading kit + whatever else that will get you started on reloading will be less than 500 dollars. You will save more money in the short run and the best part is you will have fun making your own ammo. Besides, you will never have to worry about panics or shortages unless it's 22lr if you stock deep on powders and primers. This is just my opinion.

[mif_slim]

Depends on what you define as accurate. Some say accuracy is sub-moa, some say an inch some accept 3moa and others, COM. The question is, if you want tighter groups, you gotta fork over more mulas. Not always true(reloading) but mostly.

[IEatZ28]

My only 308 rifle is a Saiga with the 21 inch barrel and I got lucky, the most accurate ammo is MFS, so it doesn't kill me and it gets about 1" and I'm 100% fine with that.

But if it was my 270 tikka, and it's for hunting, it would be $1.50 a round is where I would draw the line. I just need it accurate enough to take down game efficiently and most humanly I don't need it to shoot a fly off its *** haha

[FeuerFrei]

Well I've built and shot my Mega Maten AR10. I went and sighted it in. During the "zeroing" process it became apparent that I had somewhat less than stellar ammo. I wasn't getting consistent shot placement and the rounds seemed to have a mind of their own at times. Admittedly, I'm no Navy Seal sniper and I can accept that, but I would like to improve my shot groups and the efficiency of the weapon without breaking the bank every time I want to go shoot it.

Where do you draw the line between good, accurate ammo and cost effectiveness that allows you to shoot once a week? Please advise me of what ammo you use in .308 for results that are acceptable to you?

Personally I would put more rounds through it before I put a call out on "special/match/sniper/reloading" recommendations. (my words)
New to you rifles take getting used to. I am assuming the scope has been properly secured and that there is a decent trigger being used.
During the break in period you need to look at consistent ammo and not necessarily best in show type stuff. Surplus ammo is good for this. U.S. M80, Britt Radway or German DAG are examples of what I speak. Keep the brass for later use.
After about 200rds I would look to reload like others have said. There is another learning curve there too.
For an OTC match ammo I would get some Black Hills 168gr. Match Boat-Tail Hollow Points or Federal Gold Medal 168gr. BTHP.
Good luck with your shooting.

[ExtremeX]

Do you have pictures of the target? Would be nice to get a baseline for performance...

You wont know what the rifle like until you try it... so go buy a couple different boxes of match ammo and see if its the ammo or you that need improvement.

If you shoot in volume and want quality ammo, then hand loading your own is generally the best bet... Or you can stick to factory match ammo like Federal GMM.

[CK_32]

Even with WWB crap my guns usually shoot around 1" groups.

But for me as long as they are shooting paper for a rough zero im fine.

But if I'm looking to dial in or get semi serious im either rolling my own or buying wuality stuff.

You can't buy a junk toyota carola and be mad you don't set a land speed record. Buy the right eauipment for the job.

But before you go buying match grade ammo, make sure your gear is on right and in order. Or else you'll still be throwing bad groups, for a lot more coin.

[ExtremeX]

But before you go buying match grade ammo, make sure your gear is on right and in order. Or else you'll still be throwing bad groups, for a lot more coin.

[Cato]

308 is too expensive for me to shoot every week.

I shoot it only as a treat - and then I shoot my surplus Lithuanian 7.62 Nato.

[baih777]

Try different brands of ammo till you find a brand that is acceptable to your shooting budget. Save all your brass and sell it to the reloaders.

[russ69]

... Please advise me of what ammo you use in .308 for results that are acceptable to you?

Why waste time/money and shot substandard ammo? I only shoot my own handloads with the best bullet I can afford. There is no reason to even pull the trigger if I'm not sure the bullet will hit on call. Shooting poor performing ammo is a waste of time and energy.

[OpenSightsOnly]

Well I've built and shot my Mega Maten AR10. I went and sighted it in. During the "zeroing" process it became apparent that I had somewhat less than stellar ammo. I wasn't getting consistent shot placement and the rounds seemed to have a mind of their own at times. Admittedly, I'm no Navy Seal sniper and I can accept that, but I would like to improve my shot groups and the efficiency of the weapon without breaking the bank every time I want to go shoot it.

Where do you draw the line between good, accurate ammo and cost effectiveness that allows you to shoot once a week? Please advise me of what ammo you use in .308 for results that are acceptable to you?

Seriously pick up reloading

[CK_32]

It is. I had to learn it the hard way. I can't tell you how many times I've mounted my guns to chase groups to realize I have a loose scope base, turret or rings.