308 reload

[fuzzybatman]

does anyone know the powder used in 308 matchking federal ammo with the 168gr bullet bthp
thanks

 

[xdeano]

I was using varget. I'd just match velocities and they shot exactly the same.

Fed 210Match primer
Fed GMM brass

xdeano

 

[jbpmidas]

I use IMR4895 with my 168 bullets. 41.5 is supposed to be a close match to GMM. I like that combo.

 

[amlevin]

The question was "what does Federal use?"

I have read varying accounts of what the Factory powder is supposed to be and the consensus is Varget. Supposedly 44 grains of it. That's assuming that Federal uses the same Varget as what we can get.

On that note, when I'm trying to duplicate a factory load, using the same case, primer, and bullet, I just load one of my favorite powders until I reach the same speed as shown on the box.

 

[fuzzybatman]

thank you very much

 

[jbpmidas]

44 grains of Varget sounds like a lot! The best answer would be to pull one and weigh the charge. I have read before, though, that most factory loads don't use the powders we can get.

 

[nicholst55]

44 grains of Varget sounds like a lot! The best answer would be to pull one and weigh the charge.

Hodgdon lists 46.0 grains as (compressed) max charge with that bullet, so 44 grains certainly sounds doable.

 

[Laurie]

The best answer would be to pull one and weigh the charge. I have read before, though, that most factory loads don't use the powders we can get. [jpbmidas]

With the frequent exception of newly introduced cartridges and 'super-performance loads', 'light magnums' and suchlike, cartridge manufacturers otherwise use exactly the same powders as we do, often buying it from the same people too.

The difference is we buy canister versions blended or otherwise manufactured to be as consistent as possible between lots, while they buy it in bulk. After receiving the powder, they check it out and fine-tune the charge to give performance (peak chamber pressure / MV) that is similar to that of previous lots and/or what the data sheets quote for performance. So pulling bullets and using the same charge of what you think is the powder used may or may not produce the same performance. As Federal Cartridge has been owned by Alliant ATK, one of the largest suppliers of propellants and munitions in the world, fror several years, it might use Varget (from a competitor) in its .308W GMM ammo, but if so I'd be surprised. Especially as this company loads milspec M118LR sniper 7.62mm ammo and tells the world its fantastic performance and consistency in all temperatures is thanks to the use of Alliant Re15.

308W / 168gn SMK is such an easy combination to get good results from within the 2,570-2,650 fps velocity band that I simply wouldn't consider it worth mucking around trying to duplicate somebody else's factory ammo. I've had it shoot very small groups with Viht N140 and N150, IMR-4064, Re15, VarGet, H4895 over the years, plus probably a few more propellants that I don't even remember now.

 

[fr3db3ar]

44 grains of Varget sounds like a lot! The best answer would be to pull one and weigh the charge. I have read before, though, that most factory loads don't use the powders we can get.

I'm currently shooting 44.5 Varget out of LC brass, 200 primer, 2480 fps. Only slightly compressed. 3/4 MOA Oracle.

 

[jbpmidas]

I'm shooting 43 behind my 185's and get 2660. That's why I thought that 44 sounded like a lot.

 

[thefitter]

I have always heard it was 4064 in the FGMM 168 and 175. 43 gr for the 175, not sure on the 168. You could pull one and weigh it.

 

[fuzzybatman]

i pulled one and there is 43 grains

 

[thefitter]

43 in the 168? Interesting, did it look like 4064 or RL15? There has been speculation that they were transitioning to RL15.

 

[fuzzybatman]

i put under a magnifying glass and it looks like imr4350

 

[thefitter]

Weird 4350 is a magnum powder.

 

[greenron15]

I use 44 grain of reloader 15, winchester primer, Federal match case. 2810 oal 1/2 moa out to 300 yards

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Funny, I just pulled a case and found stick powder that is similar to 4064, but there was only 42.1 grains of it.

As one might imagine, Federal probably uses what is available and ongoing testing probably results in refinements to the recipe over time.

If you are trying to make good match ammo that is equivalent to FGMM, 4064, Varget, 4895, or RL15 (among others) will get you there, no sweat.

 

[amlevin]

Funny, I just pulled a case and found stick powder that is similar to 4064, but there was only 42.1 grains of it.

As one might imagine, Federal probably uses what is available and ongoing testing probably results in refinements to the recipe over time.

If you are trying to make good match ammo that is equivalent to FGMM, 4064, Varget, 4895, or RL15 (among others) will get you there, no sweat.

Some recent posts on another forum on the MK316 Mod 0 which is supposed to be the "latest" version of of the M118LR (or maybe replacement) is supposed to be 41.7 gr of IMR 4064 under a 175 SMK with Federal.

Who knows what anything is anymore 8)

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

Some recent posts on another forum on the MK316 Mod 0 which is supposed to be the "latest" version of of the M118LR (or maybe replacement) is supposed to be 41.7 gr of IMR 4064 under a 175 SMK with Federal.

Who knows what anything is anymore 8)

Federal Gold Medal Match should be 42.1
MK 316 mod 1 should be 41.8 with military FC brass , both use Fed 210m primer and 175 MK of IMR 4064

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

does anyone know the powder used in 308 matchking federal ammo with the 168gr bullet bthp
thanks

42.0 of IMR 4064- 175 MK
43.0 of IMR 4064 - 168 MK
Fed GM Brass
Fed 210 Match brass