Ammo suggestion for RPR (.308)

O

OfficerFarva

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Hey everyone,

I picked up an RPR in 308 from the EE. first long range rifle, and looking for ammo information.

I currently have a VZ58 that I've been feeding surplus ammo lately, no issues. Im looking for a cost effective 308 round (cheaper is better, this is a hobby, i'm not looking to kill my bank account to feed guns). I see there's 'non corrosive' 308 ammo kicking around (norinco etc). Just wondering if people have used this in their RPR, and how well it has worked. It's nice and cheap, about .50/round. Otherwise there is Barnaul which is about .60/round, but I haven't been able to find anyone with 1000 round cases in stock yet

any advice would be great.

thanks!
 
About the cheapest ammunition that I would use in a rifle like yours would be the surplus Hirtenberger 7.62x51 being sold by TradeEx - link to their site up above.
I wouldn't bother with the bulk packed Chinese surplus. Your Ruger deserves better.
Given that the rifle is designed and intended for accuracy, you really should try it with some quality match grade ammunition, just to see what it, and you, can do.
Have you got a decent scope for it?
 
Why buy a precision rifle and shoot bulk garbage? Do you expect good groups with junk ammo?? Learn how to reload. That being said, the initial cost of reloading isn't cheap either, but you can dial your ammo in to suit your gun. if you want to shoot consistent, precise and accurate, ammo isn't cheap.
 
Thanks. This is the reply I'm looking for. Was just looking for some first hand info, never know if you don't ask. I saw that ammo on tradeEx, glad you mentioned it. Thanks
 
Buy a box or two of federal gold medal match and see the difference between surplus and match ammo. YOu'll be hooked to match ammo, and you may as well start reloading. I can reload match grade 308 ammo for a little over a buck a round.
 
bsand said:
Buy a box or two of federal gold medal match and see the difference between surplus and match ammo. YOu'll be hooked to match ammo, and you may as well start reloading. I can reload match grade 308 ammo for a little over a buck a round.
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Cool, thanks for the advice. I'll look into it.
 
I have been using different grades of hunting ammo with poor results in my rpr 308. I have tried Winchester super x federal fusion federal blue box and federal red box. I really have had no decent results except for a couple of decent groups with federal red box 175 gr. I finally bit the bullet and bought some hornady superperformamce match 168 grain to see if there is an improvement. Will be trying it this weekend. In my experience shooting surplus is a waste of money. May as well shoot good ammo half the time if budget is a constraint. I have everything I need to reload but it is just a matter of doing it.
 
Order of Preference:
1. Reload
2. Reload
3. Reload
4. FGMM if you don't reload
5. Hirtenberger 7.62x51 for OK cheap ammo.

Use NORC are first several shots to warm up barrel, then end of day blowing away all the abandon clays (waste of precision ammo for blasting clays).
 
Travis_m said:
I have been using different grades of hunting ammo with poor results in my rpr 308. I have tried Winchester super x federal fusion federal blue box and federal red box. I really have had no decent results except for a couple of decent groups with federal red box 175 gr. I finally bit the bullet and bought some hornady superperformamce match 168 grain to see if there is an improvement. Will be trying it this weekend. In my experience shooting surplus is a waste of money. May as well shoot good ammo half the time if budget is a constraint. I have everything I need to reload but it is just a matter of doing it.
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My .308 didn't like the superformance 178 with either stock or custom barrel, never tried the 168, it loves the cheap Hornady steel match 155 with both barrels, and federal gold match 175.
 
My RPR seems to like the 155 SMKs and a hard hold. But you probably wont find them in a cheap load. Probably need Federal Gold Medal Match for a comparable.

5 round groups with a soft free recoil hold are no better than around 2 inches with this load, but hold the rifle firm with pistol grip and cheek hard into the rear bag and groups drop to about 5/8" at 100 yards. Problem is that "hard hold" feel is relative and difficult to repeat and makes a difference on point of impact.

I think the gun with standard barrel is just too light to do well with heavier ammo, unless you "got a good one".
 
Mine likes 168 & 175 in Federal gold metal match and Nosler custom competition ammo. I tried the Remington premier match (168/175) ammo too but for some reason it didn't like that stuff.
 
Side question, sorry not meaning to hijack, but is there any issue with shooting something like steel Norinco ammo through a precision rifle other than poor accuracy?

I want to practice shooting from a standing position and I don't need 1/2 MOA ammo for that but I don't want to be using something that will wear out my barrel ten times faster or cause other problems.
 
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Roddy said:
Side question, sorry not meaning to hijack, but is there any issue with shooting something like steel Norinco ammo through a precision rifle other than poor accuracy?

I want to practice shooting fromantic a standing position and I don't need 1/2 MOA ammo for that but I don't want to be using something that will wear out my barrel ten times faster or cause other problems.
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Just get hunting ammo then, don't try to shoot steel cased ammo or Norinco ammo.
 
I have a buddy that has a RPR, and he cheaped out and bought some Barnaul, and mfs, and another type of cheap ammo. The gun and ammo combined patterns like a shotgun at 40 yards. He's ecstatic cause he's a sh!tty shot who doesn't realize it . He's happy until he sees my reloads out of my Cadex chassis Savage 10tr shoot 1/2 inch and less groups with my hand loads then he pouts.... Just get reloading equipment and jump in, you will be much happier.

Cabelas has the Lee 50th anniversary kit for 190 buck. That's cheap to get started, al you will need is components, load manuals,and dies and you will be started. Upgrade your equipment as you go.
 
Why buy a precision rifle and shoot bulk garbage?
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I don't get this at all. Not the above comment; I totally agree.
The "why" of someone doing this!
I never met a rifle that didn't like Federal Gold Medal Match.
Too expensive? Time to get into reloading.
I am very biased and realize it.
Succumbed to the AR disease and bought a Daniel Defence. Sold it a month later. My handguns mostly sit in the safe.
I suffer from the (apparently) incurable "only accurate rifles are interesting" disease!
 
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