FGMM??

[reximus]

Has anyone had any luck shooting 175 FGMM in their SRS? I just picked up my A1 and shot several factory loads through it to see what the gun liked. I recently was able to pick up 500 rounds of the Federal stuff and was really hoping it'd shoot well. I want to start reloading (errr, I have a friend who's gonna start loading for me), but I'd like the security of knowing that the FGMM shot well in my gun.

Unfortunately, the 175 FGMM didn't shoot quite like I had hoped it would. I tried the Federal 175 SMKs and 168 SMKs, the Hornady 168 Amaxs, a 'semi-custom' load from Setpoint Ammunition, and some 'match' ammo from ASYM Precision. Out of the 5 different 'factory' loads I tried, the 175s shot the worst, with the Setpoint shooting the best (being a custom load, that's what I'd expect). I wasn't able to print a group under 1" with the 175 SMK Federal ammo.

I know there may have been other factors at play - I shot the 175s first out of my brand new 308 barrel. But man - I was hoping for more. I was thinking that I had just forgot to shoot while I was waiting my 6 months (I only have this one rifle) for my A1 to arrive, but I printed some groups that were amazing (0.311 and 0.338) with the [expensive] Setpoint and ASYM ammo.

Help would be appreciated...

[Orkan]

I've shot it in my own DTA's and several customer DTA's. It always performed less than 1/2 MOA.

You sure it's not you? That's not a jab, but a straight question. Not shooting for 6 months is DEFINITELY enough to take someone's competency away. 308's with 175's have just enough recoil to completely exploit deficiencies in your firing position. That's why I love 308 so much. It doesn't let you get away with anything. So it can be quite difficult to throw down a 1/4 MOA performance every time out.

Also, how many rounds do you have through your new barrel? You have to remember that these things are melonited. Extremely hard. It's not uncommon for us to not see the best accuracy until a couple hundred rounds have been launched. (200-400) During those early stages, I've had many barrels start opening up with only a couple dozen rounds down the tube. Cleaning brings it right back, with successively longer strings of good accuracy between cleanings as the barrel gets broken in.

You keep a good barrel log?

[reximus]

I've shot it in my own DTA's and several customer DTA's. It always performed less than 1/2 MOA.

Good to know.

You sure it's not you? That's not a jab, but a straight question. Not shooting for 6 months is DEFINITELY enough to take someone's competency away.

Nope, I'm DEFINITELY not sure it's not me...

308's with 175's have just enough recoil to completely exploit deficiencies in your firing position. That's why I love 308 so much. It doesn't let you get away with anything. So it can be quite difficult to throw down a 1/4 MOA performance every time out.

I need a brake!

Also, how many rounds do you have through your new barrel?

60 rounds last Thursday - all at 100 yards on paper. I was testing out various factory loads.
70 rounds on Monday - all on steel and didn't shoot many groups.

You have to remember that these things are melonited. Extremely hard. It's not uncommon for us to not see the best accuracy until a couple hundred rounds have been launched. (200-400) During those early stages, I've had many barrels start opening up with only a couple dozen rounds down the tube. Cleaning brings it right back, with successively longer strings of good accuracy between cleanings as the barrel gets broken in.

I'll keep that in mind. My hopes are still up. I was just hoping it'd shoot the FGMM a little better out of the bat.

You keep a good barrel log?

Yep.

Thanks for the suggestions and pointers Orkan. You've got a "little" more experience than I do with the SRS. Feel free to keep the advice coming! I'm fairly new to precision rifles and really new to the SRS. Others feel free to chime in...

Cheers,
- Rex

[RomeoWhiskey]

I will let Rex update y'all on his developments. I will just say that there was nothing wrong with his rifle. By the end of the outing Rex was completely happy and shooting 1/2" or better. Good times

On a side note. Orkan, DTA does not Melonite any barrels. They are Match LW Stainless that are prepped and Cerekoted. Thats it.

[Orkan]

Has that always been the case russ? I was specifically told early on that barrels were melonited?

[RomeoWhiskey]

As long as I have been associated with DTA (approx. 4 years), The LW barrels have been the go to and none have been melonited. How long ago were you told that and by whom?

[Orkan]

Probably a year ago I was told that... and I believe it was Ben that told me.

... in which case I'm not the least bit surprised that it is incorrect.

[Nicholas]

We do not melonite barrels doing so prior to breaking them in will make the imperfections a long term problem turning the break in process to season a barrel into a much longer round count to get there.