.308 Match ammunition

[Paul5388]

I put together some Match clones today using TM 43-0001-27. All I had in brass was some once fired Federal Gold Medal that I uniformed the flash holes on. I have a jug of surplus IMR 4895 and 168 SMK, so it was a pretty easy build. The flash holes needed quite a bit of work, so we'll see how they do later this week.

Here's the data, if you don't have access to the TM.

CARTRIDGE, 7.62 MM, MATCH, M852
Type Classification:
STD - MSR 09816009.
Use:
Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, NATIONAL MATCH. The
cartridge is intended and specifically prepared for use in
those weapons designated as competitive rifles and also
for marksmanship training. The cartridge is not for
combat use.
Description:
MATCH Cartridge. The cartridge is identified by
the cartridge case head stamping of MATCH. It also
has a knurl at the base of the cartridge case and a
hollow point bullet.
Tabulated Data:
DODAC........................................... 1305-A171
UNO serial number ......................... 0012
UNO proper shipping
name .......................................... Cartridges for
weapons, inert projectile
Weight ........................................... 385 gr
Length............................................. 2.83 in. (71.9 mm)
Tracer- ..............................................NA
Primer ..............................................Percussion
Fuze .................................................NA
Explosive:
Type .............................................NA
Weight ..........................................NA
Incendiary:
Type .............................................NA
Weight ..........................................NA
Propellant:
Type .............................................IMR 4895
Weight ..........................................42 gr
Bullet:
Type .............................................Hollow point
Weight ..........................................168 gr

 

[Dawico]

Definitely let us know how they shoot. I am using the same load (still testing) under Hornady 165gr SSTs.

 

[Paul5388]

Since there's a difference in the brass I used, it probably has more capacity, I'll let you know, as soon as I get a .308. If my bases and rings don't come in tomorrow, I'll use my neighbor's and see what they do.

BTW, I haven't gotten the SST to shoot as good as the plain Hornady bullet in whatever I've tried them in, 7mm Mag and .243 and maybe some others I'm not remembering.

 

[shortround]

Interesting. "The cartridge is not for combat use".

Were it not for success in competition, our boys would be denied the use of the OTM family of munitions today.

 

[Paul5388]

I think that comment is due to the hollow point on the SMK. It was later determined to be a non-issue due to the miniscule nature of the HP and it is loaded for sniper use.

 

[Dawico]

I think that comment is due to the hollow point on the SMK. It was later determined to be a non-issue due to the miniscule nature of the HP and it is loaded for sniper use.

True. The hollow point on most match bullets will not expand. It is there soley for manufacturing purposes (that is where they put the lead in).

I believe our snipers use a 175gr SMK now.

 

[Paul5388]

They make TMJs, so it doesn't have to have an insertion place.

The SMK HP is a non functioning HP and only serves to lengthen the bullet for a better BC.

I would think a 175 is getting a little heavy for the .308 to generate very much velocity. Maybe the 175 SMK is used in .300 Win Mag?

I'm sorta wanting to compare the accuracy of the .308 to a .30-06. I keep hearing how the .308 is "inherently more accurate", so I think I'll shoot some of these out of the new Howa 1500 I have on layaway and then shoot my 2 groove 03-A3 and compare.

 

[scap99]

I use 185gr Bergers in my .308
They'll stay supersonic out a tick past a grand in most weather conditions.

I launch them at 2374fps out of my 18" tightbore 1:10 twist loaded to maximum magazine length with 41gr of Varget.

 

[Dawico]

They make TMJs, so it doesn't have to have an insertion place.

The SMK HP is a non functioning HP and only serves to lengthen the bullet for a better BC.

I would think a 175 is getting a little heavy for the .308 to generate very much velocity. Maybe the 175 SMK is used in .300 Win Mag?

I'm sorta wanting to compare the accuracy of the .308 to a .30-06. I keep hearing how the .308 is "inherently more accurate", so I think I'll shoot some of these out of the new Howa 1500 I have on layaway and then shoot my 2 groove 03-A3 and compare.

If memory serves the M118 is a 168gr SMK and the M118LR is a 175gr SMK both in 7.62 NATO (.308 Win). The 175 gr bullet retains velocity better at long ranges. M118LR is the go to round for military snipers.

Match bullets are hollow points because this is the only way to get a concentric case needed for match bullets. It starts as a cup and the lead is poured in and then the point is formed. There is no way to make a concentric case on a TMJ bullet. That is why there are no TMJ match bullets.

 

[Younggun]

They make a die for closing up the hollow point quite a bit more which is supposed to greatly improve performance(after uniforming the meplat) but it runs over $200 I think.

 

[Dawico]

They make a die for closing up the hollow point quite a bit more which is supposed to greatly improve performance(after uniforming the meplat) but it runs over $200 I think.

I have seen them. Serious match shooters use them. Way beyond anything I need.

 

[Paul5388]

CARTRIDGE, 7.62MM, BALL, SPECIAL, M118
Type Classification:
STD - MSR 07798001.
Use:
Rifles, 7.62mm, M14, M21, M24, and M40A1. The
cartridge is intended and specifically prepared for use in
high accuracy weapons.
Description:
BALL Cartridge. The cartridge is identified by
cartridge case head stampings with NATO design mark,
manufacturer and year.
Tabulated Data:
DODAC........................ 1305-A136
UNO serial number ..... 0012
UNO proper shipping
name ....................... Cartridges for
weapons, inert projectile
Weight ........................ 390 gr
Length.......................... 2.83 in. (71.9 mm)
Tracer .......................... NA
Primer ......................... Percussion
Fuze ............................ NA
Explosive:
Type ........................ NA
Weight ...................... NA
Incendiary:
Type ........................ NA
Weight ..................... NA
Propellant:
Type ........................ WC 846 and
IMR 4895
Weight ..................... 44 gr
Projectile:
Weight ...................... 172 gr

I guess I need to read the TM a little more, even though the 172 gr didn't really interest me yet.

 

[Dawico]

I guess I need to read the TM a little more, even though the 172 gr didn't really interest me yet.

Just be sure you have a 1:10 twist barrel. Some guns are 1:12 optimized for 168 grain bullets and won't stabilize a 175+ gr bullet properly.

 

[Paul5388]

I picked up the Howa 1500 today, but didn't shoot it due to tornado warnings being posted for the area. So, after I read the break-in for the barrel, I decided to load enough ammunition to accomplish that task. I really didn't want to use 168 SMK, which I have a limited supply of, so I went with 147 gr FMJ pull downs with the same 42 gr of surplus IMR 4895 I used with the SMKs.

Howa takes a different approach to barrel break-in than what most want you to do. After the first shot, a clean patch with "a solvent that has a good content of ammonia. You can also use regular ammonia that can be found in the cleaning supply section of most supermarkets." The reason: "The barrel MUST remain cool during the break-in procedure. If the barrel is allowed to heat up during break-in, it will destroy the steel's ability to develop a home registration point or memory. It will have a tendency to make the barrel "walk" when it heats up in the future." The ammonia is used to "remove all petroleum based lubricants in the bore."

That's a pretty good indication the bore has been lapped at the factory, contrary to what most barrel makers are doing now, wanting the buyer to finish lapping it in with their break-in procedure.

The gun, with DNZ base and rings and a Leupold 3X9X40 VXII mounted.