.308 is getting expensive

[Mr.RoDiN]

K fellas. Ive had my M1- A1 for about 3 years now, and have never shot it. I know, I know, Im an idiot! I guess ive just been babying it. Well i do shoot my winchester, model 70, varmint very often. Even with a bolt action, .308 gets pretty expensive. I only use American Eagle ammo. I need some ammo for the M1 A. I know I can't afford to plink with American Eagles. Any suggestions? I am pretty picky and only use reloads with my glock. I will NEVER use wolf ammo, unless its german and 12 guage. Any ideas? How is that south african stuff? Also this is just for plinking and paper.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

The South African surplus is really your only option now for cheap M1A ammo. Everything else has dried up. But the South African is good stuff.

[chickenfried]

My M1A likes south african the best out of the six surplus "brands" I've tried. But different M1A's like different surplus. Off the bench at 100 yards ~2" groups. No problems through 1000 rounds. Right now, it's just about your only choice for cheap .308

[ocabj]

Reloading 7.62x51 NATO is easy and cheap. Military surplus IMR 4895 is still readily available. Then you can use 147-150gr pull down bullets or commercial 147-150gr FMJ bullets by Hornady or Winchester (or even Golden West here in California). Then Winchester LR primers at $14 per 1000 at the show and you're good to go with your saved brass. Or if you feel so inclined, you can get CCI34s from Grafs or your other favorite reloading component source.

[Wulf]

The South African is good shooting ammo. The bullets are a little light though. I pulled one this morning that was 144 grains. But its the best thing out there.

[VeryCoolCat]

Once all the surplus dries up, we'll see (probably wolf) some cheap steel cased ammo, just like 7.62x39.

[anotherted]

I sure miss the 147 gr ADI. <violins>

[Wulf]

I never buy enough of the good surplus when its cheep....I just cant get that frigging lesson through my head for some reason.

[tteng]

Go to aimsurplus.com, they have 7.62 Nato (South African) for sale. The shipping ( for 980 rd case) to S.F bay area is about $30-$40 in addition to, but you don't have to pay sales tax. Make sure they do deliver to your area, though.

[M1A_KICHI]

I agree on AIM surplus. That is where I get my SA .308 and it is good stuff.

[metalhead357]

Once all the surplus dries up, we'll see (probably wolf) some cheap steel cased ammo, just like 7.62x39.

Seen it, bought it...have NOT fired it yet though.....

FWIW- I love the South African. But if'n you can find it there was some Isralli stuff that was a total hoot about 2, maybe 3 years ago; I swear EVERY time I see it at gunshows now I've already blown my cash. But as the other have said- S.A. is about the only thing out there when you can find it. I REALLY wish the CMP would truly get into the .308 action.......

[Whitesmoke]

Reloading 7.62x51 NATO is easy and cheap. Military surplus IMR 4895 is still readily available. Then you can use 147-150gr pull down bullets or commercial 147-150gr FMJ bullets by Hornady or Winchester (or even Golden West here in California). Then Winchester LR primers at $14 per 1000 at the show and you're good to go with your saved brass. Or if you feel so inclined, you can get CCI34s from Grafs or your other favorite reloading component source.

I mostly agree....but I'm afraid the surplus IMR 4895 may be all gone. Wideners, GI, etc are all out. I bought a 8lbs jug 2 months ago.....now that it may be gone, I wish I had bought more. Unless you know someone who has it in stock?

SA surplus is probably your best bet. I've read mostly bad things about Wolf 308, so I'd stay away from it.....I have had no problems with wolf in 223 and 7.62x39 though.

[gunluvver]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM692-3249-124.html

New ammo for $250/1000 and less.

[luvtolean]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM692-3249-124.html
New ammo for $250/1000 and less.

That is a great price, what I paid for Nato .223 last time.

Anyone used it? Would like to know it's decent before I pull the trigger.

[chickenfried]

I'd rather get more South African than steel cased silver bear. Plus the silver bear is more expensive. Not that many reviews of this ammo out there.

http://www.m14firinglineforum.com/upload/showthread.php?t=21401&highlight=silver

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=180959&highlight=silver+bear