.308 168grn Match

[Uncle Jack]

I know this has been thrashed over before, but I did the research here and still can not find a definitive answer.

Does anyone have a duplicate load for Federal .308 168grn Match ammunition?

uj

[rjtfroggy]

UJ this is a search I've done numerous times for different loads and all have been for naught. None of the manufactures will give out their data on their recipes, won't tell you what powder,nothing.
I read somewhere the reason is they sometimes use a blend of powders and the liability would be enormous if they gave it out and someone blew themselves up.

[pbcaster45]

I tried to duplicate it in my Remington SPS since it shot so well. Froggy is right, all you can do is make an educated guess.

Bullet: Sierra 168 gr. HPBT MatchKing
Powder: Hodgdon Varget 43.0 grs.
Primer: CCI-BR2 (Slightly better accuracy than Federal 210M)
Case: Federal
LOAL: 2.800 (2.230 base to ogive with Stoney Point)

#1 2668.05
#2 2645.89
#3 2666.88
#4 2639.55
#5 2636.10
#6 2626.37
#7 2654.60
#8 2655.18
#9 2650.53
#10 2653.43

Avg. Velocity: 2649 fps
Spread: 41.68 fps
Std Dev: 13.07

If I was trying to stick with something closer to what Federal uses it would be this (I suspect Federal uses a non-cannistor grade of RL-15)

Bullet: Sierra 168 gr. HPBT MatchKing
Powder: Alliant Reloader 15 42.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210M
Case: Federal
LOAL: 2.800 (2.230 base to ogive with Stoney Point)

[Tightgroups]

Yes I do. Several years ago, (maybe 5) I pulled down a Federal 168g Gold Metal Match round, and this is what I found. A 168g Sierra Match King bullet, over 44.0g of Varget, and a Fed GM210 primer, good for 2665 fps.
I ID the powder as Varget by its looks (grain size, type and color) first, but them I measured the size of a single grain of both, the subject powder and Varget, and it also was a dead on match. So I looked in the books to see if that was a good load (44.0g of Varget) and it was, so I duplicated it, then shot both over my Crony and the MV was the same. Now I shoot that load at 44.0g for 2665 (24" barrel) and 44.5g for 2710 fps. And there both vary accurate, shooting under .5" at 100.
What I dont know is, if Federal is still using the same powder now.
Mike.

[Gary paugh]

43.6gr of IMR-4895 win case fed match primer.

[45bpcr]

New user here,
I bought some federal match to put through a LR308T that was giving me fits. I pulled down a couple of rounds and found 41 grains of what looked all in the world like IMR 3031. It was interesting to look at the cases as well as nothing had been done to the neck and case mouth.

[darkker]

I don't know if this would help you any or not....
I have a copy of a military tech manual - TM 43-0001-27
Which lists:
CARTRIDGE, 7.62MM, BALL, SPECIAL, M118
Projectile Weight: 172 Gr.
Propellant type: WC 846 and IMR 4895
Weight: 44Gr.
Chamber Pressure: 50,000PSI
Velocity: 2640 FPS

I suspect that the 172 gr could be either the older 168GR SMK's or the 175's.

FWIW

[darkker]

Sorry just found another page that spec a M14 NM case.
42 Gr. Of IMR 4895 gives the 168Gr HP bullets at 2550 FPS

[Uncle Jack]

Thank you, gentlemen. There's enough info here to keep me busy for a while.

uj

[ThorBird]

I agree that it is 42.0 grains of RL15. That is Sierra's accuracy load with the 168 SMK, and knowing that Sierra uses Savage barrels for testing, started off with that and the 168. Never looked back. That has been a very accurate load in the 2 Savage .308's I've tried it in. Have not chronyed it, but I'll bet it is right on the specs for the Fed load.