Federal 308 Gold Medal No Longer Match?

[Texas10]

I have a box of Federal Gold Medal Match p/n GM308M, 168 SMK ammo that shot very well. Looking online I see Federal Gold Medal, same part number but the word Match is nowhere on the box. Instead, it lists Sierra MatchKing. Why the change? Is it no longer considered "match" ammo?

[Robinhood]

And it is no longer IMR 4064.

[eddiesindian]

Bummer. I tried FGMM in 168 smks years ago and was thoroughly impressed. So much so that if I'd of had deep pockets I'd of purchased a case of 1000. Course I don't have deep pockets so I've had to roll my own with varget as opposed to 4061. I wonder why they changed propellant

[Robinhood]

Eddie, I know you found a good load for yours because you go long in the desert. Berger 185s can do well at the longer ranges too if you are not happy with the 168's or 175's.

[CFJunkie]

Personally, I would not worry much about what is on the box and start measuring if there is any change in accuracy.
The bullet is still the same - Sierra Match King.
I wasn't aware that they changed from IMR4064 powder, but I haven't been using factory ammo for years.
Anyone know what Federal chose to use after the change in powder?

As I remember from years ago, they also changed powders once before, I think when they changed from the buff and blue box to the maroon and gold box.
It didn't seem to make any difference in the measured accuracy then and if they are still committed to being the 'gold standard' for .308 ammo, they would be equally diligent.
Perhaps they changed from IMR4064 to a powder with less temperature sensitivity, like H4895, Varget, or IMR4166. That would be a very positive step.
From my reloads, those three powders perform very accurately in my .308s.

[wbm]

Personally, I would not worry much about what is on the box and start measuring if there is any change in accuracy.

LOL. Personally I would too.

[celltech]

If it still shoots as well, or better, they can call it Federal Tin Can for all I care...

[big honkin jeep]

If it still shoots as well, or better, they can call it Federal Tin Can for all I care...

^^^^^THIS^^^^^
My brother bought a used Savage 111FYAK youth rifle in .270 that puts 130gr Federal Power Shock, plain blue box and the cheapest thing in the ammo case at Wal mart, into one ragged hole at 100 yards all day long. If I had to shoot factory stuff it sure wouldn't hurt my feelings if it was $11 a box on sale and shot like that.
Different rifles prefer different loads/components no matter what the box says.
I have an old 116 30-06 that shoots Sierra game kings way better than the Sierra match kings. While working on another project I talked to a Tech at Sierra Bullets about it he told me that it was not that unusual.

[eddiesindian]

Eddie, I know you found a good load for yours because you go long in the desert. Berger 185s can do well at the longer ranges too if you are not happy with the 168's or 175's.
I'm content with the 168smk and varget but not so with the 175SMK and 4064 for distance.

[J.Baker]

The change is likely because they're now also offering Gold Medal ammo with Berger bullets, so rather than Saying Gold Medal Match they have gotten more specific and are saying Gold Medal Berger and Gold Medal Sierra Match King.

As for the load (poser and charge) changing, that I have no clue on.

[Texas10]

I bought a couple of boxes to use as a benchmark load while I develop some hand loads using Varget and 168 SMK's, Hornaday Match brass and Federal 210M primers. The FGMM shot a 3 round group measuring .22 moa out of my new (to me) Shilen Select Match barrel.

Yet to be determined is whether or not my shoulder can still take the pounding :yield:

[bigedp51]

ATK runs Lake City and also owns Federal and it looks like Federal only has the contract to make the match grade sniper ammo for the military below. Meaning Lake City is making their own 168 grain "match" ammo.
Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0 (United States): A 175-grain (11.3 g) round specifically designed for long-range sniping consisting of Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail projectiles, Federal Cartridge Company match cartridge cases and Gold Medal Match primers. The Propellant has been verified as IMR 4064 (per NSN 1305-01-567-6944 and Federal Cartridge Company Contract/Order Number N0016408DJN28 and has a charge weight per the specs of 41.745-grain (2.7 g).[28] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO#cite_note-special_ball-28)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO

[Robinhood]

https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.yuku.com%2Fimage%2Fjpg%2F68 016d897ad671983c7b2602693b87aa7496e1fa_r.jpg&f=1

The FCC is listed in the Lot
https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. ulAQ5F1imfI1qKdgUW71zQAAAA%26pid%3D15.1&f=1


What ATK is doing with regards to powder I don't know. I have read several post where the powder is reported to be Reloder 15. The rest of the components are the same. ATK may own federal and Aliant, but they do not own Hodgdon/IMR.

[wbm]

Went from RL-15 to IMR4064 in M118LR after Iraq.

[LoneWolf]

I have 2 lots currently. The older one runs pretty accurate at 2680-2700fps. The newer lot runs 2580-2600 and leaves room for improvement...

[eddiesindian]

Hood,I remember seeing that military ammo data card you posted years ago. That's one of the reasons I decided to go to 4064 with the 175SMK. They were consistant until I ran out of my 8 lbs of 4064. I purchased another 8lbs and my results were not consistent that of which I knew was going to happen. I didn't feel like clocking the new powder and start a new load development with the 175SMK and 4064. I loaded up some 168smk with varget, did a little nip and tuk and hit pay dirt rather quickly. Once I run out of that lot then the process starts all over again. It never ends.

[BC98]

ATK runs Lake City and also owns Federal and it looks like Federal only has the contract to make the match grade sniper ammo for the military below. Meaning Lake City is making their own 168 grain "match" ammo.
Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0 (United States): A 175-grain (11.3 g) round specifically designed for long-range sniping consisting of Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail projectiles, Federal Cartridge Company match cartridge cases and Gold Medal Match primers. The Propellant has been verified as IMR 4064 (per NSN 1305-01-567-6944 and Federal Cartridge Company Contract/Order Number N0016408DJN28 and has a charge weight per the specs of 41.745-grain (2.7 g).[28] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO#cite_note-special_ball-28)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO


ATK does NOT own Federal nor run Lake City and hasn't for almost 5 years. Vista Outdoor owns Federal and Northrop Grumman purchased Orbital ATK almost a year ago and currently holds the management contract for Lake City.

Even when Lake City and Federal were owned by the the same parent company, there was very little, if any, cooperation between the two groups. Resources were not shared and neither was engineering or product development.

[bigedp51]

ATK does NOT own Federal nor run Lake City and hasn't for almost 5 years. Vista Outdoor owns Federal and Northrop Grumman purchased Orbital ATK almost a year ago and currently holds the management contract for Lake City.

Even when Lake City and Federal were owned by the the same parent company, there was very little, if any, cooperation between the two groups. Resources were not shared and neither was engineering or product development.

The world is changing fast and I'm a old fart that refuses to own a smart phone. I'm still waiting for the Pony Express to bring news about the merger.

Acquisition of Orbital ATK approved, company renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems

https://spacenews.com/acquisition-of-orbital-atk-approved-company-renamed-northrop-grumman-innovation-systems/

I'm 5 months behind on the merger between ATK and Northrop Grumman that was approved last September.
But you need to read the link below about ATK that is still up and running below.

Orbital ATK and Lake City Army Ammunition Plant: A Proud Heritage of Service

https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/features/orbital-atk-and-lake-city-army-ammunition-plant-a-proud-heritage-of-service



Did you ever notice that Federal 5.56 M193 ammo had a Lake City head stamp............"there was very little, if any, cooperation between the two groups". :nono:
http://www.northwestshootersupply.com/images/products/display/xm193x350.jpg
https://www.ocabj.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ocab-20160326-101822-1200.jpg
(https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/features/orbital-atk-and-lake-city-army-ammunition-plant-a-proud-heritage-of-service)

[Texas10]

Hood,I remember seeing that military ammo data card you posted years ago. That's one of the reasons I decided to go to 4064 with the 175SMK. They were consistant until I ran out of my 8 lbs of 4064. I purchased another 8lbs and my results were not consistent that of which I knew was going to happen. I didn't feel like clocking the new powder and start a new load development with the 175SMK and 4064. I loaded up some 168smk with varget, did a little nip and tuk and hit pay dirt rather quickly. Once I run out of that lot then the process starts all over again. It never ends.

I'm loading up that exact combination (Varget and 169SMK) right now, but am left wondering what is the "little nip and tuk" you speak of? Any hints or specifics you are willing to share?

[eddiesindian]

I'm loading up that exact combination (Varget and 169SMK) right now, but am left wondering what is the "little nip and tuk" you speak of? Any hints or specifics you are willing to share?
44.5gr varget, CCI 200, 168smk, LC neck turned,annealed brass, 0.30 off the lands, 24" 1/10 tube going 2800fps @ 4200ft elevation. Nip and tuk I speak of is I found another accuracy node at just a tad under 2700fps but more consistent going 2800. Another nip and tuk is I usually use fire formed brass but opted to go small base,full length resized and found out the harmonics ring just right for this rig compared to fire formed. I was gonna call it guits on 308 because of my love affair with the 6.5 but low and behold I hit pay dirt. It never ends.