Mildly curious...30-06 ammo question

chris in va · November 7, 2010, 01:31 AM

Guy next to me at the range was having a difficult time getting decent groups using some sort of fancy Hornady ammo, 168gr I think. His patterns were roughly 5" across.

Once that was exhausted he went in and bought some surplus HXP Greek FMJ that should have been all over the map...but lo and behold it gave him almost 1moa.

We were both baffled. What happened? I have no idea what sort of rifle this was, it was black and synthetic is all I know. Looked fairly new.

**Mike Irwin** · November 7, 2010, 07:08 AM

Guns are individuals and can be very particular in what they like, and what they don't like.

Often finding the best load, whether factory or handload, is a process of trial and error.

Just because the Hornady ammo was newly manufactured and expensive doesn't mean that his gun was going to like it.

kraigwy · November 7, 2010, 08:54 AM

This is not uncommon at all, depends on the barrel and or a million other variables.

As I mentioned I shot for the National Guard. I had access to all sorts of military ammo. I had a Rem 788 in 308 that wouldn't shoot M852 (168 Match) or M118 (173 match) but it shot the 7.62 149 grn Ball like a house on fire.

I had to issued two M14s to my shooters. One with a military issue match 4 grove barrel to shoot M118 (military match w/173s) and one with the commercial 6 grove match barrel to shoot the M-852 (168 SMKs).

Not all guns like the same ammo or bullet, thats why the make so many.

grumpa72 · November 7, 2010, 08:57 AM

Over at www.thecmp.org forum, guys will routinely tell you that the Greek HXP ammo is quite accurate. I have several hundred rounds and I can verify that it shoots tight groups out of my 55 year M1.

TXGunNut · November 7, 2010, 09:39 AM

I see this quite often at the range, could be shooter error as well. Sometimes a shooter will put 20 rounds through a sporter rifle at a rate that doesn't allow the barrel to cool. The barrel has a chance to cool while the shooter is gone to fetch more ammo and when he comes back he takes it a bit slower and voila'! ...problem solved!
If it was the new Superformance ammo it could be that his rifle simply doesn't like hot loads. Rifles quite often have a distinct preference and sometimes an equally distinct dislike for certain types of ammo. Some are pickier than others. Others seem to like almost any quality ammo, that's what makes rifle shooting/reloading interesting, sometimes it can even be a bit too "interesting".

Slamfire · November 7, 2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

I see this quite often at the range, could be shooter error as well.

I agree with this.

November 7, 2010, 01:31 AM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Mildly curious...30-06 ammo question Guy next to me at the range was having a difficult time getting decent groups using some sort of fancy Hornady ammo, 168gr I think. His patterns were roughly 5" across. Once that was exhausted he went in and bought some surplus HXP Greek FMJ that should have been all over the map...but lo and behold it gave him almost 1moa. We were both baffled. What happened? I have no idea what sort of rifle this was, it was black and synthetic is all I know. Looked fairly new.

November 7, 2010, 07:08 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Guns are individuals and can be very particular in what they like, and what they don't like. Often finding the best load, whether factory or handload, is a process of trial and error. Just because the Hornady ammo was newly manufactured and expensive doesn't mean that his gun was going to like it. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 7, 2010, 08:54 AM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	This is not uncommon at all, depends on the barrel and or a million other variables. As I mentioned I shot for the National Guard. I had access to all sorts of military ammo. I had a Rem 788 in 308 that wouldn't shoot M852 (168 Match) or M118 (173 match) but it shot the 7.62 149 grn Ball like a house on fire. I had to issued two M14s to my shooters. One with a military issue match 4 grove barrel to shoot M118 (military match w/173s) and one with the commercial 6 grove match barrel to shoot the M-852 (168 SMKs). Not all guns like the same ammo or bullet, thats why the make so many. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

November 7, 2010, 09:39 AM	#5
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	I see this quite often at the range, could be shooter error as well. Sometimes a shooter will put 20 rounds through a sporter rifle at a rate that doesn't allow the barrel to cool. The barrel has a chance to cool while the shooter is gone to fetch more ammo and when he comes back he takes it a bit slower and voila'! ...problem solved! If it was the new Superformance ammo it could be that his rifle simply doesn't like hot loads. Rifles quite often have a distinct preference and sometimes an equally distinct dislike for certain types of ammo. Some are pickier than others. Others seem to like almost any quality ammo, that's what makes rifle shooting/reloading interesting, sometimes it can even be a bit too "interesting". __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

November 7, 2010, 08:57 AM	#4
grumpa72 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2009 Posts: 487	Over at www.thecmp.org forum, guys will routinely tell you that the Greek HXP ammo is quite accurate. I have several hundred rounds and I can verify that it shoots tight groups out of my 55 year M1.