sportco model 44 ammo?
- Thread starter MackForce
- Start date
Sportco rifle were imported and used in competition during the days that the DND still supplied ammo to the DCRA of annual competition. Much of the ammo was IVI 7.62 with 146 gr bullets. If the rifles went to Bisley England they shot Radway-Green 7.62 with 144 gr bullets. Sportco's will have no problem shooting regular .308 Win ammo. Try to stick with a bullet in the 150-168 gr range. If you are going to push it out to 1000 yards, handloaded 155 gr bullets work well.
Mine likes 155gr berger and sierra bullets with 47gr of varget cci primers and lapua 308 brass.
On a calm day with no mirage it stays in about 3" at 600m with that load, I,ve never tried comercial ammo.
If you want you can load it with any 308 ammo but I think you will get the best results with bullets around 150 gr range the twist in the sportco is 1-14 [I think] so dont go to heavy .
On a calm day with no mirage it stays in about 3" at 600m with that load, I,ve never tried comercial ammo.
If you want you can load it with any 308 ammo but I think you will get the best results with bullets around 150 gr range the twist in the sportco is 1-14 [I think] so dont go to heavy .
gunrunner8
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
Mine LH Sportco has 12" twist barrel. It likes preped IVI military match brass, H4895 powder, Nosler 165grBT bullet and Norma made in Austria primers (only 300 of them left out of 5000 I bought them in mid 90'). It still shoots 5-6" groups at 500m at pedestrian 2600FPS. Brass lasts no less than 20 reloads and propably more but I discard it after that anyway.
Thanks Guys!
I am not loading my own yet. My local shop has a great selection of ammo. I inherited the rifle and got a ton of ammo with them. Not being knowledgable in this type of rifle, I was a bit confused when I tried to chamber a 7.62x54. I got several boxes of them and assumed they would work. They, as I found out, would not chamber in the rifle. I found the 308 win fit very nicely. I didnt want to hit the range until I had some more info.
So, that being said, would you guys recommend picking up some more 308 win until I get my **** together and start loading?
Thanks again!
I am not loading my own yet. My local shop has a great selection of ammo. I inherited the rifle and got a ton of ammo with them. Not being knowledgable in this type of rifle, I was a bit confused when I tried to chamber a 7.62x54. I got several boxes of them and assumed they would work. They, as I found out, would not chamber in the rifle. I found the 308 win fit very nicely. I didnt want to hit the range until I had some more info.
So, that being said, would you guys recommend picking up some more 308 win until I get my **** together and start loading?
Thanks again!
Whoa, whoa, WHOA!! I know nothing about the model of gun you are referring to, but it is absolutely essential that you determine the cartridge that it is chambered for. The designation "7.62", by itself, refers to the caliber of projectile...7.62mm, or .308 inches. There are a buttload of cartridges that shoot this caliber of bullet, and THEY ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. A lot of the smaller-cased ones would easily fit into the chamber of the larger ones, but you REALLY NEED to find out which one your gun uses...it should be marked on the barrel. If it isn't, take it to a gunsmith or trustworthy gunshop and find out. DO NOT start jamming cartridges in just because they fit!
Please, somebody who knows about this gun...help this guy out!
Please, somebody who knows about this gun...help this guy out!
haha thanks for making me feel like an idiot JJ.
It does read 7.62 on the gun. That is why im on here talking to people that know.
Like I said, I was just a bit confused about the different sizes of 7.62 available.
I would never "jam" cartridges in any gun.
Thanks again nutz.
It does read 7.62 on the gun. That is why im on here talking to people that know.
Like I said, I was just a bit confused about the different sizes of 7.62 available.
I would never "jam" cartridges in any gun.
Thanks again nutz.
Sorry, MackF, I certainly didn't mean to sound insulting. I was picturing the worst possible scenario after reading your second post in this thread...I guess I missed my second coffee this morning! 
Enjoy that old gun, and stay safe!
Enjoy that old gun, and stay safe!
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
As the discussion says, the Sportco is a target rifle designed in Australia for 7.62x51 NATO ball. Not necessarily target ammo when it comes out of the can, but a known commodity for sure. As the rifle wears, the throat will change. Going to larger bullets or ones with the ogive further forward will keep it competitive. Good luck!
The sportco is a bit different than most bolt action rifles in that the bolthead locks into the barrel not the action, so they required sportco barrels to be used when rebarreling. There were aftermarket adaptors made and fitted to some rifles so that standard barrel blanks could be fitted. Two bolthead sizes (308 & 223) were available and the early 308 barrels were 1/12" twist and a lighter profile the later ones were 1/14" twist heavy profile and tight bore to handle undersize bullets. I you have one of the tight barrels it may show pressure signs in ammo that is good in other rifles. They are good shooting rifles and should work best with bullets around 150 or 155 grn. pointed boattail.
