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Posted: 3/16/2009 5:30:00 PM EDT
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Does anyone know what powder is used in the Federal Gold Metal Match ammo for .308, with the 168 grn BTHP bullet? I'm trying to simulate that load as best as I can.
ETA: I understand the EXACT powder they use may not be commercially available, but I am looking for a powder you may feel is best to start with trying to attain similar results. |
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I don't know, but I do know commercial ammo is often loaded with non-canister powders and cannot be exactly duplicated. Commercial loaders tend to do testing (and have equipment you and I could never afford), and that allows them the ability to load in lots, with specific formulations which will vary from lot to lot. The powders available to us are more consistent, which is why we can buy them.
That said, the best you can do is to chrono the load and attempt to work something up which comes close. If you just load XX grains of YYY powder you are asking for trouble. |
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Does anyone know what powder is used in the Federal Gold Metal Match ammo for .308, with the 168 grn BTHP bullet? I'm trying to simulate that load as best as I can. ETA: I understand the EXACT powder they use may not be commercially available, but I am looking for a powder you may feel is best to start with trying to attain similar results. If you started with 42.5grs of Reloder-15, you wouldn't be too far off the mark. Heck, IMR-4895 and/or Varget, wouldn't hurt. You really want about ~2650 fps from a ~24" tube. Chris |
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Good Advice, but I will add......chrono the FGM in your gun, and then use the usual suspects of Varget, RL15, or 4064 to work up a load! I would lean towards RL15 as it is easier to find then Varget is, but 4064 is not shabby! Then work up a load that duplicates the velocity.............
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I would start with Varget and work up a load. I would not use FC brass. I would use Win or RP. |
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Good Advice, but I will add......chrono the FGM in your gun, and then use the usual suspects of Varget, RL15, or 4064 to work up a load! I would lean towards RL15 as it is easier to find then Varget is, but 4064 is not shabby! Then work up a load that duplicates the velocity.............I would use Lapua brass.....
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I would start with Varget and work up a load. I would not use FC brass. I would use Win or RP. |
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I would start with Varget and work up a load. I would not use FC brass. I would use Win or RP. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Federal 308 brass from GM match ammo. Excellent, consistant stuff, IMHO. i have some Fed GMM .308 brass that has seen 10+ reloads so far. hope it lasts for a long time |
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I would start with Varget and work up a load. I would not use FC brass. I would use Win or RP. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Federal 308 brass from GM match ammo. Excellent, consistant stuff, IMHO. i have some Fed GMM .308 brass that has seen 10+ reloads so far. hope it lasts for a long time my results are different. Nothing special about the FGMM cases, it is the same brass as any other fed ammo. I have noticed my primer pockets loosen up with relatively mild loads after 3 firings. I neck size and load Win brass about 10 times before I see the same results. Its just too soft in my opinion. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I would start with Varget and work up a load. I would not use FC brass. I would use Win or RP. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Federal 308 brass from GM match ammo. Excellent, consistant stuff, IMHO. i have some Fed GMM .308 brass that has seen 10+ reloads so far. hope it lasts for a long time Good to hear, that's all I have. |
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Does anyone know what powder is used in the Federal Gold Metal Match ammo for .308, with the 168 grn BTHP bullet? I'm trying to simulate that load as best as I can. ETA: I understand the EXACT powder they use may not be commercially available, but I am looking for a powder you may feel is best to start with trying to attain similar results. 1st - break down a round and note the weight of powder and physical form, i.e. stick, ball, flake etc. 2nd - Search your loading books for powders of the type you found in step 1 that have load weights that coincide with the Federal load and give similar velocities. (chronographing the fed load would be helpful) 3rd - Go to a powder burn rate table and see where the powders you identified in step 2 fall, they should be all clustered together. Any/all of these should be tried until you get the result you seek. |
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I would start with Varget and work up a load. I would not use FC brass. I would use Win or RP. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Federal 308 brass from GM match ammo. Excellent, consistent stuff, IMHO. The 308 FC rifle brass that I have reloaded and fired loosened primer pockets with one reload.(Once fired brass, fired in bolt action rifle). I load a 150 gr Sierra or Nosler Partition with a powder charge 1 1/2 grs below listed max. (What my rifle shoots best). Primer pockets have not loosened with Win or the RP brass I have. (Same load). In 223, I use my FC brass only in a bolt action rifle. Never in an AR for me. Here I am shooting 53 gr Hornadays slightly below max listed, and have 4 loadings with no problems. 338 Win Mag FC brass, 1 reload and loose primer pockets. Again no problem with Win or RP. For those that have good luck with FC 308 brass, I'm glad. I haven't, so I recommend Win or RP. LC is good also. |
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To find a comparable powder you need to find a pressure trace chart on the fgm and then start trying to match it. Pressure trace equipment is readily available. Your load requires the same burn
rate, pressure curve and bullet speed if you are trying to duplicate a factory load. http://www.shootingsoftware.com/ |
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