.308 Ammo Advice

[etaf]

I am looking for advice on what ammo I should get...

Two years ago I got 180 rounds of SA surplus from Aimsurplus.http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=A308SA

I am just about out of that and now I need to order more ammo. I use an SR-25 style rifle and pretty much always shoot from prone at 100yds. I would say I am still in a learning phase of shooting but I have made some improvements. Because of this, I don't think there would be any reason for me to get match grade ammo because I may not be good enough to notice the difference at this point. At the same time, surplus ammo may not be the way for me to go again. There are three things I am considering and I would like some advice.

1. Reloading - I have all the brass from the 980 can of South African surplus. Can I reload those? I would like to get into reloading someday so I'm thinking maybe I should just start now.

2. Prvi Partizian - Is this ammo any good? Worth buying?

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=AP308FMJ145&name=Prvi+Partizan+.308+FMJ+145grn+20rd+Box&groupid=26

3. Other recommendations?


Thanks in advance.

[32blownhemi]

Thanks for posting Etaf! This is the exact question I came on here to ask! I have some Federal Match Grade 168 & 175 Grain rounds. I also got in on a group purchase on sniperhide.com. Don't remember the name of the ammo, but got 175 grain 308's match grade. The long time forum members said it was as good as the Federal if not better. I've got a Rem 700 milspec 5r on it's way & a AR-10... Same as you I'm looking for some cheaper ammo to punch holes in paper & shoot coke cans with! I was going to ask about the same exact ammo you asked about! Hope I'm not high jacking your post! Looking forward to reply's... Thanks Everyone!, Bill ; )

[fusionstar]

I believe all those SA brass are Berdan Primed and cannot reloaded. Take a light and look inside at the primer.
One center hole = Boxer primed and reloadable.
Two holes = berdan primed and non-reloadable.

That Prvi Partizian Stuff is good for shooting paper and steel. The brass is also reloadable. If you want smaller groups, you can try their 168gr match version. It runs about $14-15 a box. The 175 gr "match" leaves much to be desired, however it is still cheaper than commercial ammo with a slightly better performance.
I really prefer heavier loads for less wind drift at extended ranges and more Energy on impact on game.
I also like the recoil

[etaf]

Yep, they do in fact have two holes. What is it about berdan primers that makes the round non-reloadable?

Is this the Prvi Partizan ammo you were referring to? I am having trouble finding it in stock.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ammunition/rifle-ammunition/308-7-62/prvi-partizan-308-168gr-hpbt-match-20rd.html

[fusionstar]

Yes that is the round im refering to. As for the berdan cases. Im not really sure, but decaping dies go straight down the center case to remove the primer. Theres no center hole on berdan cases. Also I believe the berdan cases have the anvil built in, where as boxer primed cases have the anvil in the primer itself.

[etaf]

thanks for the info fusionstar! i'll have to watch that PPU and see if it comes back in stock or if i can find it elsewhere for the same price. i'll also start searching for comparisons to that ammo and see what i can find.

32blownhemi, have you found out any other info? i am thinking i am gonna stay away from the cheaper prvi partizan this time.

[slopoke]

Try a variety of budget ammo to see which one your rifle shoots best, then load up on the stuff.

[Cowboy T]

Just recently found some Boxer/brass Prvi Partizan .308 Win ammo for 50 cents/round. Given the general good quality of Prvi brass, that was a nice little find.

Your South African ammo is very likely Berdan primed. You can reload it, and Tulammo does sell Berdan primers here in the USA, but it's more of a PITA, specifically because of the depriming operation. Basically, you have to use either a hydraulic pressure method of depriming, or some $65 tool that RCBS makes that digs/pries the spent primer out. There are also multiple sizes of Berdan primer, so you'll need to ensure the correct size. However, once deprimed, the steps to reprime Berdan cases are the same as for repriming Boxer cases.

Generally speaking, any Boxer/brass ammo will be good if you're reloading. If you're not reloading, go ahead and get the Berdan stuff.

[32blownhemi]

Thanks for the replies Fusionstar, Slopoke & Cowboy T... Etaf, I posted the same question over at snipershide.com & after being laughed at for wanting 'plunking' ammo for a 308 I got pretty much the same answers there as here! I guess when you measure performance in .10 MOA's 'plunking' isn't something you do on a regular basis! (Don't misunderstand what I'm saying cuz there's a great group of guys over there!)... What I got out of all the replies was Prvi Partizian 165 &/or 175 grain was about the least expensive round that was still quality. I got some on Aimsurplus.com but right after my order they sold out. $9.95 per box of 20. Only hassle was having to fax them a copy of my drivers license to prove I was 18, but you can e-mail it to them if your set up for it. They told of Wolf, Tulammo, etc. blowing up in their chambers so I'd pass on them. I'll go find the stock numbers on the recommend ammo & get back to ya...Oh, the match ammo I listed in my about post was highly recommended & was $19 a box. A LOT cheaper than some of the other 'match' grade stuff... Etaf, I can't get a link to post but if you go to the aimsurplus.com website it's stock #AP308PSP165 & #AP308PSP175... I got the 165, they were out of 175's... I don't think they use the 145 grains like you posted above, not as accurate cuz it's a lighter bullet?... Hope this helps ya...