7.62 bullets

[Jgun]

I'm  in the process of doing some  load developement and presently have FMJ bullets in three weights, 145, 175, and 210gr. 

I'd like to buy a small quantity, say 30-50rds of each type, of other weights, ranging from 150-190 gr. so that I can determine which weight gives the  best results  for my application, before I place an order for a large quantity. I would be happy to trade some of the ones I have if that would be helpful to the other members. Another thing I was wondering about is can you guys tell me where your seeing the best prices for .308 bullets these days?

[Dusty44]

It has been several days since your post.  I will try to offer some ideas.  I have not bought ammo or components in  a long time.

My first place to look is MidwayUSA.com.  A lot of options in brands and prices.  Subscribe to the on-line offerings and also ask for the (printed on paper) newsletter.

Cabella's is high on my list;  I am close enough that it is more fun to go there and buy 'in person.'  Both components and loaded ammo.  And a whole lot of other stuff.

CheaperThanDirt on-line for factory ammo of many kinds.  I buy on-line and 'in person' at their stores.

Bullets from Midway can be a surprise.  I bought some repackaged .308 bullets that I am reasonably sure are Hornady.  They may be rejects from the production line but they make holes in the target about as close together as I am capable of encouraging. 

I think only about non-FMJ because my shooting range forbids FMJ.  The source companies listed also offer FMJ of many kinds.

If you want accuracy,  I personally have the most faith in anything from about 147 grain up to 180 grain.  Optimum seems to be,  from what I read in the shooting forums and some gun magazines,  165 gr or 168 gr BTHP to about 175 gr.  I think your 210 gr bullets are too heavy for the 308 Win/7.62 NATO.  Anything much over 190 gr probably should only be used in something like one of the magnum calibers or possibly in the 30-06. 

I shoot some Russian 308 Win steel-cased soft-point 140 gr.  This stuff does reasonably well from my Rem 700 and Savage model 11 bolt guns but at 100 yards 10 rounds from the DPMS make a pattern that is difficult to hide with the palm of my hand.  I bought the Russian ammo because there was a lot of it in the carton and it was cheap.  I use it to warm up my rifles.

A box of 100 bullets is not a lot.  My own stack of boxes of 308 bullets are Sierra 165 gr BTHP & 175 gr BTHP,  Midway repack 180 gr BT Bonded Spitzer (red plastic tip).

The Sierra bullets are an excellent brand and not excessively expensive.  Midway has lots of things on sale all the time.  Keep a watch.  CTD is good for loaded ammo,  keep another watch.  Easy to buy and shoot a box of factory ammo just to see what a bullet weight does.  Then you get to try and make your own loads live up to that.  CTD has brands of (cheaper) reloaded once-fired to try.  Some folks swear by this stuff;  some,  of course,  swear at it.  But the ones that don't like the factory reloads only say that it leaves their guns dirty.  That would be because of the powder used.  But the accuracy seems to be excellent.

There is a small gunshop nearby.  I noted that usually their prices are the same as the big companies for the same brands and items.  Most of my powder and primers and sometimes bullets are bought there.  Trade the cost of gasoline for the cost of shipping. 

[Jgun]

I'm actually working up loads for a 300 BLK I built. I have some 175's in hand that I plan to try along with a friend that's promised me some 155's the next time I see him. I also see some 165's with that plastic tip you were talking about. I see them at Midsouth shooters supply for $21.50 per 100. I'm going to order some of them and then sit down for an extebnded loading session

to make up some of each of the 3 bullet weights, with a number of different powder charges for each bullet. And then I'll have to get out to the range with a chrono. Man, I'm gonna need a secretary to keep track of all this information! thanks for your suggestions.

[bgc]

Jgun,

I have some Hornady 150 grain FMJ w/Cannelure if you're interested.

http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-150-gr-FMJ-BT/

[Jgun]

bgc,

Thank you for your offer of the 150's. I have 145's that I've already tried, and my buffy came through with some 155's, so I think I'm pretty well set in that weight range. I also have some MK 175's, so I think I'm just going to order 100 165/168's and then I should be ready to load some test rounds of each to see what the gun likes best.