Cheap reloading bullets for 308/30-06

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rifleman0311

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Looking for some cheap bullets for my M1a and 3006, where do you buy from? I know the Sierra 168 are good but I'm looking for cheap target loads, preferably around the 147-168 grain range. Where do you buy?
 
Midway currently has the Hornady .308 168 gr HPBT match bullets at around $.25/bullet. That is similar to the Sierra 168gr Matchking, typically around $.35 to $40/bullet. I pay $40/hundred that includes tax for the Sierra from the LGS. Obviously there are less expensive 150 gr bullets around but a cost compromise may be necessary for probable better accuracy.
 
I would agree that Hornady seems to have the lowest price point for good quality bullets for target purposes. Even their 150 grain FMJ's produce substantially tighter groups than any of the 147 grain NATO type bullets or the 152 grain M2 ball bullets have ever done for me, and if I have to replicate government ammo for an as-issued match with FMJ bullet rules, that Hornady FMJ is what I look to.

When you shop, just be careful to divide the price by the quantity for all the different quantities offered. I've found, for example, 500 bullet quantities that cost less per round than 2100 bullet quantities in some instances. It think it just depends what the price was when the last lot in boxes that size came in. Watch for specials on shipping to take advantage of, too.
 
If you just want your gun to go bang and a bullet hit the target somewhere near your POI, google "30 cal bullet pulls". That will get you several vendors of military 147 gr. FMJ bullets. When I first got my Garand, I used these pulls to get used to reloading for my new rifle. My accuracy wasnt great, 4"-6"+ depending on me, @ 100, but it didn't take long for me to get used to reloading for the rifle. I soon went to Hornady A-Max 150s, and found some Nosler seconds 150 gr HPBT which were pretty good. Hornady are pretty good bullets and I can't tell you how much they cost individually (I don't count pennies for my hobby), but I keep an eye out for sales and occasionally find a good deal.
 
Just returned from the LGS where, this trip, I purchased the Hornady 168s rather than the Sierras. Cost difference was $10/100 in favor of the Hornadies over the Sierras.
 
rifleman0311 asked:
Looking for some cheap bullets for my M1a and 3006, where do you buy from?
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If you're looking for cheap, I have bought from both of these sellers:
American Reloading https://americanreloading.com/en/
Everglades Ammo http://www.evergladesammo.com/bullets/rifle-bullets.html?caliber=35

American Reloading seems to deal more in pulled bullets and mixed lots (i.e. 147 gr and 168 gr in the same batch; you sort 'em out)

Everglades seems to deal more with surplus production and manufacturers seconds (i.e. the bullets may have discolorations or their weight may vary a little more - 147 gr bullets may run 145 to 149 gr; perfectly good for plinking, but don't take them to a match).

Both sellers price with shipping included and run frequent sales. They ship fast and their customer service has always treated me right.
 
You can also try Cabella, they have a store only Hornday 168 Yellow tip called the ZMAX (ignore the zombie nonsense, its a varmint target bullet) .

$144 per 500 for 28 Cents a bullet and no freight.
 
Cabless is also carrying a Hornady 168 Match hollow point for $65 per 250.

Tad less than the Zmax.
 
The M1's and M1A's love the 168 gr match any brand. You probably won't notice any difference between NIB SMK's or blem Nosler CC's from SPS. I've scored some great deals in the past on non blem 168 nosler CC's for as little as $179 / 1K . Also keep an eye out on the swap and sell other gun forums. I've scored some smoking deals on reloading components.
 
"...and a bullet hit the target somewhere near your POI..."

I don't know about anyone else but my bullets ALWAYS HIT AT their POI!

TW
 
Yes, mine, too. ;) That's the ticket!

The blemished bullets always get good reviews. I should have thought to mention them. The 168 HP match bullets are what the 10 to 13 inch twist barrels seem to like best out to about 600 yards for NRA Highpower target purposes. Their only drawback is a dynamic instability that makes them prone to tumble after about 700 yards (actually, bellow about 1400 fps).
 
Keep on the lookout for 155 CC's , they also shoot very well from the M1 / M1a'a. Many times you can save even more from the cost of the 168's. I shoot the 155's at 600 yds frequently as long as the wind is not too stiff. My 1903/A4gery does very well with them at 600. ;) . I did dabble somewhat with 175/178's gr bullets and just didn't have much success with heavier bullets in the M series rifles.
 
The 168 HP match bullets are what the 10 to 13 inch twist barrels seem to like best out to about 600 yards for NRA Highpower target purposes. Their only drawback is a dynamic instability that makes them prone to tumble after about 700 yards (actually, bellow about 1400 fps).
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Yep. Years ago I was spotting for a guy using 168SMK's in 1,000 yard F Class Competition. His bullets were going transonic and the results were ugly. The 13 degree boattail on those bullets was not designed to remain stable at low velocity.

Don
 
If you get surplus pull down bullets from an internet seller like American Reloader and others, there can be significant variance in bullet weight.

Also if you load to achieve a specific distance between rifling and o-give there can be as much as 0.028" variance in the distance from o-give to bullet noise. The impact of that large of variance produces a variance in case capicity of 0.5g of powder, impacting chamber pressuer / IV.

Be sure to sort your bullets!!!
 
Looking for some cheap bullets for my M1a and 3006, where do you buy from? I know the Sierra 168 are good but I'm looking for cheap target loads, preferably around the 147-168 grain range. Where do you buy?
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I do not know, I was digging the other day and came across a 30 Cal ammo can 3/4 full of bullets and then I remembered, the bullets were pulled from surplus ammo, all of the bullets are armor piercing and the powder has been shot up.

F. Guffey
 
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