Help - which .308 match factory ammo?

[pratchett]

I'm deciding on match-grade ammo in .308 for my newly-assembled precision bolt action, and the constants are 175 grain and free shipping. I'd like your input on 3 options: Federal Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point, Remington Premier Sierra MatchKing Boat Tail Hollow Point, and Barnes Precision Match Open-Tip.

I know, I know - I need to roll my own. Reloading gear is on the list, but funds are tight. For now, the importation ban is looming and I'd need the brass anyway, so I figure by buying factory rounds now I can get brass fired once from my own rig. Thanks in advance for your input!

[baih777]

honestly, buy a box of each and see which one shoots with the tightest grouping.

[highpower790]

Be sure to clean in between lots as all are not the same.Inconclusive results may be the order of the day without cleaning.

[Don the savage]

Cant beat the fed gmm 175 from target sports right now. 18.99 a box and free shipping for a case. My 5r loves it. . I feel like a shill for target sports but its a great deal.

[ocabj]

Target Sports is $16.55 per 20 on Federal GMM 175 if you're in the Prime Ammo program.

[NorCalFocus]

The Remington Brass is much better than the Federal. Federal GMM is very good stuff, but the brass is only good for about 2-3 reloads. Remington Brass is much better and will yield you better result in the long run.

[FLIGHT762]

The Remington Brass is much better than the Federal. Federal GMM is very good stuff, but the brass is only good for about 2-3 reloads. Remington Brass is much better and will yield you better result in the long run.

I've been using Federal 308 GMM brass for the past 40 years. In the past 35 years, I've been able to have access to a lifetime supply of free, once fired GMM fired in bolt guns. I've done a lot of reloading with this brass. Didn't care how long it lasted, since it was free.

The brass has varied over the years. 35+ year old brass weighed in @ 163 grains and was soft. The brass evolved to the 174 grain weight and was also soft. Up to 6-7 years ago, GMM brass was still soft. I will agree this brass lasts 3-4 reloads, if reloaded not too hot.

I noticed there was a change 4-5 years ago. This will be GMM brass that has a blue primer sealant. This newer brass weighs in @ 182-184 grains and is quite uniform. It also seems to be harder in the case head. I have gotten 10+ reloads out of this brass.

If you have an opportunity to try this newer blue primer sealant brass, try it and see if it is like the older brass.

[smoothy8500]

In the mid to late 1990's I experienced Federal brass that was soft. As Flight762 says, the recently manufactured stuff is good to use. Current FGMM 175 is still one of the best all around match loads. But, as someone suggested, try the other loads to choose the most accurate.

[nedro]

Here you go.
Atomic ammo.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001895345/atomic-match-ammunition-308-winchester-168-grain-nosler-custom-competition-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-100

[97F1504RAD]

I have had good result with the PPU 168Gr. I would recommend d giving the 175 a try. It's currently out of stock at Targetsports.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi-partizan-match-308-winchester-ammo-175-gr-fmj-pp32-p-89.aspx

[ElvenSoul]

Hornady ELD

[nedro]

I'm Confused. I thought OP was asking for real match ammo, not factory run of the mill stuff.
I showed the Atomic at Midway because it was easy to get to. You can find Atomic at lots of places. They are precision loads.

[pennstater]

Federal Gold Medal Match.

[pratchett]

I'm Confused. I thought OP was asking for real match ammo, not factory run of the mill stuff.
I showed the Atomic at Midway because it was easy to get to. You can find Atomic at lots of places. They are precision loads.

OP here. No, I don't think you're confused. I'm looking for 175-grain factory loaded .308 labeled "match." I'm also hoping for free shipping. I think you pointed me in a good direction and I appreciate you helping out a new guy.

[ptmn]

I'm going to second the Fed GMM. I use it at work with our sniper rifles. We also had the Remington Match .308, but we don't use it anymore. It was just as accurate as the FGGM, but we had one blown primer and one case head separation, different lot numbers.

As for reloading FGGM brass, I have my own personal 700 PSS and the brass works just fine for reloading. One caveat to that is when I reloaded the brass and fired it out of a gas gun. It pretty much trashed the brass, whereas I get about three or four loadings out of my bolt gun.

You are going to have to purchase a box first to see if it groups in your specific gun. I would definitely do that before shelling out on an entire case. You don't want to end up with a large amount of ammo if it won't fire sub MOA in your specific rifle.

I have no experience with the Barnes Match, so I can't provide any input