Duplicate load to FGMM?

Beentown71 · April 1, 2013, 08:19 PM

Anyone have a load that is close to FGMM .308 with 168 grain Matchking BTHP? I picked up ten boxes from my LGS when they were having a truckload sale for $17.99 per 20 and my Howa REALLY likes them. (2010 I believe)

Newb to reloading and the powders I have available now are:

BLC-2
H335
TAC

I will pick up any powder that I need to match the load once available.

Benchrest Primers

Fire formed Win Brass...I have LC also.

Plan to use it as a starting load and working up and down from there. Right now I am getting .66" five shot groups off of bags. Would like to see what we (the rifle and I) can really do.

Dan Newberry · April 1, 2013, 09:53 PM

Federal is using RL15 since the ATK contract... prior to that, it was IMR 4064.

You don't have to put the exact FC recipe together to get a good load.

TAC or BLc(2) would be better choices than the H335 if you ask me.

Black Hills has used TAC in their match ammo. BLc(2) is well thought of for match ammo as well. Either powder could work well, but I think the BLc(2) would do the best.

The closest recipe to what Federal is doing would be 43.8 to 44 grains of RL15 with the 168's in the FC brass--and your Lake City would be close to the same volume as the FC brass. IMR 4064 at those same amounts, or Varget (same amounts) would also work. With Winchester brass, you'd add about .4 grains to those charges.

Work up from 10% under...

Dan

Beentown71 · April 1, 2013, 10:06 PM

Much appreciated

Beentown71 · April 2, 2013, 07:51 PM

I forgot I also have Benchmark powder.

Jimro · April 3, 2013, 04:17 PM

I'll disagree with Dan on BLC-2. As far as I can tell it is the same stuff as WCC-846 which suffered from erratic primer ignition timing in M80 ball loads. This is why I think that the ball powder M118SB loads were considered inferior, the sedate match primers couldn't get consistent ignition.

The .mil went to WCC-846FS (flash suppressed) with a hotter primer to "fix" the problem with M80 ball.

I'd try TAC instead as a starting point.

Jimro

Beentown71 · April 3, 2013, 07:52 PM

Looks like it is going to be:

Win Match brass (fire formed) put through a Lee Collet die
Tac starting with 40 grains and working up
CCI Benchrest primers
168 grain Sierra Match King BTHP's

April 1, 2013, 08:19 PM	#1
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	Duplicate load to FGMM? Anyone have a load that is close to FGMM .308 with 168 grain Matchking BTHP? I picked up ten boxes from my LGS when they were having a truckload sale for $17.99 per 20 and my Howa REALLY likes them. (2010 I believe) Newb to reloading and the powders I have available now are: BLC-2 H335 TAC I will pick up any powder that I need to match the load once available. Benchrest Primers Fire formed Win Brass...I have LC also. Plan to use it as a starting load and working up and down from there. Right now I am getting .66" five shot groups off of bags. Would like to see what we (the rifle and I) can really do. __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

April 1, 2013, 09:53 PM	#2
Dan Newberry Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Wytheville, VA Posts: 216	Federal is using RL15 since the ATK contract... prior to that, it was IMR 4064. You don't have to put the exact FC recipe together to get a good load. TAC or BLc(2) would be better choices than the H335 if you ask me. Black Hills has used TAC in their match ammo. BLc(2) is well thought of for match ammo as well. Either powder could work well, but I think the BLc(2) would do the best. The closest recipe to what Federal is doing would be 43.8 to 44 grains of RL15 with the 168's in the FC brass--and your Lake City would be close to the same volume as the FC brass. IMR 4064 at those same amounts, or Varget (same amounts) would also work. With Winchester brass, you'd add about .4 grains to those charges. Work up from 10% under... Dan __________________ *www.BANGSTEEL.com* Practical Long Range Rifle Courses... Optimal Charge Weight handload consulting Last edited by Dan Newberry; April 2, 2013 at 02:09 PM.

April 1, 2013, 10:06 PM	#3
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	Re: Duplicate load to FGMM? Much appreciated

April 2, 2013, 07:51 PM	#4
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	I forgot I also have Benchmark powder. __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

April 3, 2013, 04:17 PM	#5
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	I'll disagree with Dan on BLC-2. As far as I can tell it is the same stuff as WCC-846 which suffered from erratic primer ignition timing in M80 ball loads. This is why I think that the ball powder M118SB loads were considered inferior, the sedate match primers couldn't get consistent ignition. The .mil went to WCC-846FS (flash suppressed) with a hotter primer to "fix" the problem with M80 ball. I'd try TAC instead as a starting point. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

April 3, 2013, 07:52 PM	#6
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	Looks like it is going to be: Win Match brass (fire formed) put through a Lee Collet die Tac starting with 40 grains and working up CCI Benchrest primers 168 grain Sierra Match King BTHP's __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

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