Federal Gold Medal Match .308
- Thread starter _YoYo_
- Start date
John Marshall
New member
Well, I couldn't find the price I paid but you should check out Eric's prices at http://www.ammoman.com . I think you'll find his prices are about as good as they get.
Come on, Jeffly! Cheaper Than Dirt?
Cheaper Than Dirt price for GM308M: $17.66/20 PLUS SHIPPING
Ammoman.com price for GM308M: $15.00/20 WITH FREE SHIPPING
Sorry, but an informed choice would be http://www.ammoman.com
Cheaper Than Dirt price for GM308M: $17.66/20 PLUS SHIPPING
Ammoman.com price for GM308M: $15.00/20 WITH FREE SHIPPING
Sorry, but an informed choice would be http://www.ammoman.com
http://www.fsguns.com
.308 caliber GOLD MEDAL is in stock today at only $13.95/box
I think shipping is only a dollar per box, but there is a $100 minimum order.
.308 caliber GOLD MEDAL is in stock today at only $13.95/box
I think shipping is only a dollar per box, but there is a $100 minimum order.
Steve Smith
New member
NO SH!T!!!
El Rojo...the only reason you said it first is because I didn't get a chance to yet. For that $324.95 you can be completely set up for reloading and make your own "Gold Match." That Federal Gold Match may be consistent, but it's not TUNED for your rifle! With reloading, you can cut your costs in half, stop paying for new brass every time, stop paying for Federal's advertising, AND produce the most accurate ammo for your rifle.
If you want to know, IMHO the best non-progressive set-up out there right now is Keislers' price on a Lyman T-Mag II "Expert reloading kit". I think it runs $270 and the only things you'll need to add are calipers and dies.
P.S. it's usually not on their webpage.
Correction, I think it's Natchez.
BTW, the Lyman part # for his is LY7810140
The website at natchex for this is:
http://search.cartserver.com/search...category=All&keywords_2=LY7810140&go=Find+It!
Correction again! Natchez has this on sale RIGHT NOW for $219!!! Also, Midway will price match, so you MIGHT be able to call Midway and get it for $219 with free shipping.
El Rojo...the only reason you said it first is because I didn't get a chance to yet. For that $324.95 you can be completely set up for reloading and make your own "Gold Match." That Federal Gold Match may be consistent, but it's not TUNED for your rifle! With reloading, you can cut your costs in half, stop paying for new brass every time, stop paying for Federal's advertising, AND produce the most accurate ammo for your rifle.
If you want to know, IMHO the best non-progressive set-up out there right now is Keislers' price on a Lyman T-Mag II "Expert reloading kit". I think it runs $270 and the only things you'll need to add are calipers and dies.
P.S. it's usually not on their webpage.
Correction, I think it's Natchez.
BTW, the Lyman part # for his is LY7810140
The website at natchex for this is:
http://search.cartserver.com/search...category=All&keywords_2=LY7810140&go=Find+It!
Correction again! Natchez has this on sale RIGHT NOW for $219!!! Also, Midway will price match, so you MIGHT be able to call Midway and get it for $219 with free shipping.
Reloading
Guy's.........I agree to a point.
Firstly, getting set up to reload "Match Quality ", ammo, is durn expensive.
Secondly, is your time worth anything to you?.
Reloading for precision rifle will eat your lunch......
You can't do it with cheap tools, and you have a learning curve that is a long time coming........
IF you shoot at least 3-400 rounds a month, then you may break even.
Even if you do decide to reload...........buy a couple of cases first, shoot them in the rifles you will be using, segregate the brass, and viola'!!..you have fireformed brass from the get go.
You get the case, which initially costs(alone), at least 28-35 cents.
The bullet, @ 17 cents, the powder charge@ 11 cents, and the match primer @ .03 cents.= $.59 cents per round.( Using the .28 cent fig).
This is buying either Win brass or Fed, or Lapua.
Why not, at least have the fun of firing it first, then reload it.
A suggestion, do NOT buy Fed match, if you are going to reload..........
Buy Black Hills.....Win cases, and they will last many reloadings...Fed will not.........
Guy's.........I agree to a point.
Firstly, getting set up to reload "Match Quality ", ammo, is durn expensive.
Secondly, is your time worth anything to you?.
Reloading for precision rifle will eat your lunch......
You can't do it with cheap tools, and you have a learning curve that is a long time coming........
IF you shoot at least 3-400 rounds a month, then you may break even.
Even if you do decide to reload...........buy a couple of cases first, shoot them in the rifles you will be using, segregate the brass, and viola'!!..you have fireformed brass from the get go.
You get the case, which initially costs(alone), at least 28-35 cents.
The bullet, @ 17 cents, the powder charge@ 11 cents, and the match primer @ .03 cents.= $.59 cents per round.( Using the .28 cent fig).
This is buying either Win brass or Fed, or Lapua.
Why not, at least have the fun of firing it first, then reload it.
A suggestion, do NOT buy Fed match, if you are going to reload..........
Buy Black Hills.....Win cases, and they will last many reloadings...Fed will not.........
Steve Smith
New member
TShoes...I'm not trying to start a pi$$ing contest here, but I'd like to rebut your comments...you said:
Firstly, getting set up to reload "Match Quality ", ammo, is durn expensive.
Not much more expensive than regular reloading...the kit I speced out in my previous post comes with a case trimmer that you can add a neck turning tool onto, a plenty accurate powder measure, an accurate scale, and a fine turret press, which is arguably as accurate as a single satge, and faster, to boot. The thing you'll pay more for is dies, but even when buying some of the best commercially available die sets, you'll wind up spending about $75 for the set...I don't see where custom dies are worth it for .308, as the "match" stuff from Redding and Forster should work great...it does for me.
Sure, there are a million "match" gadgets out there, but most are not necessary...and on top of that, we're talking about equalling + beating out Federal Gold Match...not competing in matches. Just beating FGM won't win a match for you. All those little gadgets add tiny little bits of accuracy. It's like indexing your spark plugs in the racing world...alone, it means nothing...along with 50 other little tricks, it might get you 15 extra HP...jsut enough to win.
_YO_YO_ didn't say he wanted to COMPETE...and even if he did, he'd still wind up reloading, because the FGM just can't keep up.
Secondly, is your time worth anything to you?.
Time is worth money...I can reload 1K of match quality .308 including 168gr. Sierra HPBT bullets for $233 (not counting brass once every 10 loading or so...the lowest price you guys have for your Federal is $600 per 1K + shipping (approx). That's a significant savings for me.
Besides, reloading is a very relaxing and theraputic hobby...any serious reloader will tell you that. My job is stressing enough. I don't want to come home and wonder if my "time is worth anything to me" I just want to vegetate. Reloading allows me to get my mind away from eveerything except a pleasing little task...and it saves me money too... (more on this saving money at the end)
Reloading for precision rifle will eat your lunch......
Please explain...
You can't do it with cheap tools, and you have a learning curve that is a long time coming........
I disagree...I'm a very fast learner...For someone who WANTS to learn it, it takes very little time. All you have to do is read and listen. I was a clean slate, and therefore did not have reloading deadwood to clear out. My learning curve has been very steep and continues to rise everytime I sit on the can (I keep reloading books as my "readin' material).
IF you shoot at least 3-400 rounds a month, then you may break even.
Break even? Wow, you must not reload at all...your setup cost continually diminishes as you continue to reload, so all you pay for are the consumables...not advertising, marketing, middle-man markup. Again, I reference what I'll say at the end.
Even if you do decide to reload...........buy a couple of cases first, shoot them in the rifles you will be using, segregate the brass, and viola'!!..you have fireformed brass from the get go.
I'll agree with this, but not FGM (as you state) but something that will last longer and costs less. IMI makes good reloadable brass, and loaded it sells for $170 per 1K. That's a good start.
You get the case, which initially costs(alone), at least 28-35 cents.
The bullet, @ 17 cents,
Yup...HOWEVER, you can't count the brass every time! That's the whole reason for reloading! Assuming that you can get 10 reloads out of a .308 case, then call your case $0.028 or $0.035 each...that way it'll really mean something.
the powder charge@ 11 cents,
Try some excellent surplus 4895 from http://www.hi-techammo.com which will run you $0.05 per charge, assuming that you're using a hot 42 gr. per charge. the 4895 ran $68 per 8lb jug including shipping for me since four of us bought at once.
and the match primer @ .03 cents.= $.59 cents per round.( Using the .28 cent fig).
Nope, using my formula, I get $0.017 each for the case, Sierra 168 gr. BTHP $0.17, Powder charge $0.05, primer $0.03 = $0.267 per case which comes out to $267 per 1K.
This is buying either Win brass or Fed, or Lapua.
Why not, at least have the fun of firing it first, then reload it.
A suggestion, do NOT buy Fed match, if you are going to reload..........
Buy Black Hills.....Win cases, and they will last many reloadings...Fed will not.........
I agree with this wholeheartedly.
Now, what I was going to say...reloading does NOT save anyone money really. What it does, is allow you to practice much much more than you normally could afford to. Shooting 3-400 rounds a month? It's not necessary to make reloading pay off, however, you can AFFORD to shoot that much if you want...it's quie easy. Typically reloaders spend as much money on reloading as others do on loaded ammo, however, we shoot more.
_YO_YO_, if you don't want those cases, send 'em my way.
TShoes...no hard feelings...just giving my side here.
Firstly, getting set up to reload "Match Quality ", ammo, is durn expensive.
Not much more expensive than regular reloading...the kit I speced out in my previous post comes with a case trimmer that you can add a neck turning tool onto, a plenty accurate powder measure, an accurate scale, and a fine turret press, which is arguably as accurate as a single satge, and faster, to boot. The thing you'll pay more for is dies, but even when buying some of the best commercially available die sets, you'll wind up spending about $75 for the set...I don't see where custom dies are worth it for .308, as the "match" stuff from Redding and Forster should work great...it does for me.
Sure, there are a million "match" gadgets out there, but most are not necessary...and on top of that, we're talking about equalling + beating out Federal Gold Match...not competing in matches. Just beating FGM won't win a match for you. All those little gadgets add tiny little bits of accuracy. It's like indexing your spark plugs in the racing world...alone, it means nothing...along with 50 other little tricks, it might get you 15 extra HP...jsut enough to win.
_YO_YO_ didn't say he wanted to COMPETE...and even if he did, he'd still wind up reloading, because the FGM just can't keep up.
Secondly, is your time worth anything to you?.
Time is worth money...I can reload 1K of match quality .308 including 168gr. Sierra HPBT bullets for $233 (not counting brass once every 10 loading or so...the lowest price you guys have for your Federal is $600 per 1K + shipping (approx). That's a significant savings for me.
Besides, reloading is a very relaxing and theraputic hobby...any serious reloader will tell you that. My job is stressing enough. I don't want to come home and wonder if my "time is worth anything to me" I just want to vegetate. Reloading allows me to get my mind away from eveerything except a pleasing little task...and it saves me money too... (more on this saving money at the end)
Reloading for precision rifle will eat your lunch......
Please explain...
You can't do it with cheap tools, and you have a learning curve that is a long time coming........
I disagree...I'm a very fast learner...For someone who WANTS to learn it, it takes very little time. All you have to do is read and listen. I was a clean slate, and therefore did not have reloading deadwood to clear out. My learning curve has been very steep and continues to rise everytime I sit on the can (I keep reloading books as my "readin' material).
IF you shoot at least 3-400 rounds a month, then you may break even.
Break even? Wow, you must not reload at all...your setup cost continually diminishes as you continue to reload, so all you pay for are the consumables...not advertising, marketing, middle-man markup. Again, I reference what I'll say at the end.
Even if you do decide to reload...........buy a couple of cases first, shoot them in the rifles you will be using, segregate the brass, and viola'!!..you have fireformed brass from the get go.
I'll agree with this, but not FGM (as you state) but something that will last longer and costs less. IMI makes good reloadable brass, and loaded it sells for $170 per 1K. That's a good start.
You get the case, which initially costs(alone), at least 28-35 cents.
The bullet, @ 17 cents,
Yup...HOWEVER, you can't count the brass every time! That's the whole reason for reloading! Assuming that you can get 10 reloads out of a .308 case, then call your case $0.028 or $0.035 each...that way it'll really mean something.
the powder charge@ 11 cents,
Try some excellent surplus 4895 from http://www.hi-techammo.com which will run you $0.05 per charge, assuming that you're using a hot 42 gr. per charge. the 4895 ran $68 per 8lb jug including shipping for me since four of us bought at once.
and the match primer @ .03 cents.= $.59 cents per round.( Using the .28 cent fig).
Nope, using my formula, I get $0.017 each for the case, Sierra 168 gr. BTHP $0.17, Powder charge $0.05, primer $0.03 = $0.267 per case which comes out to $267 per 1K.
This is buying either Win brass or Fed, or Lapua.
Why not, at least have the fun of firing it first, then reload it.
A suggestion, do NOT buy Fed match, if you are going to reload..........
Buy Black Hills.....Win cases, and they will last many reloadings...Fed will not.........
I agree with this wholeheartedly.
Now, what I was going to say...reloading does NOT save anyone money really. What it does, is allow you to practice much much more than you normally could afford to. Shooting 3-400 rounds a month? It's not necessary to make reloading pay off, however, you can AFFORD to shoot that much if you want...it's quie easy. Typically reloaders spend as much money on reloading as others do on loaded ammo, however, we shoot more.
_YO_YO_, if you don't want those cases, send 'em my way.
TShoes...no hard feelings...just giving my side here.
reloading
I have no idea about reloading, although i am interested. I have never even seen anyone do it. What else would i need besides the $219 to really get what i want? And how do you go about figuring the perfect setup for a specific rifle?
Once again, thanks for all the help..
I have no idea about reloading, although i am interested. I have never even seen anyone do it. What else would i need besides the $219 to really get what i want? And how do you go about figuring the perfect setup for a specific rifle?
Once again, thanks for all the help..
It will save money and it does not take time.
I Am 23 years old. I started reloading when I was 22. I shoot 168 gr Sierra Match King reloads I did myself out of my Remington 700 VS under 1/2 moa. Reloading works and it does not take forever. And the sooner you start reloading the more money you are going to save over your life! And not to mention it is fun! Plus if you want to shoot varmints you can reload ammo for plinking too. A good progressive reloader like my Dillon RL 550b reloads every cartridge I have a rifle for. No doubt about it, the sooner you buy a reloading setup, the sooner you will start saving money.
I Am 23 years old. I started reloading when I was 22. I shoot 168 gr Sierra Match King reloads I did myself out of my Remington 700 VS under 1/2 moa. Reloading works and it does not take forever. And the sooner you start reloading the more money you are going to save over your life! And not to mention it is fun! Plus if you want to shoot varmints you can reload ammo for plinking too. A good progressive reloader like my Dillon RL 550b reloads every cartridge I have a rifle for. No doubt about it, the sooner you buy a reloading setup, the sooner you will start saving money.
Steve Smith
New member
_YO_YO_ one thing you can be grateful of is that relaoders LOVE to help others get into it. The $219 kit comes with the T-Mag II press, a powder measure, a scale, a case trimmer, primer tray, primer feed, priming arm, extra decapping pins, primer catcher, deburr tool, powder funnel, turret quick release, case lube kit, and an adapter so you can put your powder measure into the turret (it would otherwise mount onto the bench).
You can see the press here:
http://www.lymanproducts.com/presskit.html
And the kit here:
http://www.lymanproducts.com/presski3.html
What you'll need after that:
A sturdy bench...you could read a lot into this...you can find a sturdy bench at the Goodwill for $10...I did for my first bench. OR you can find free bench plans on the net and you materials will run you about $100.
A set of calipers...the $25 Midway calipers do just fine...make sure they go down to .001" and that they repeat the same measurement consistently.
Dies. You can get a set 2 die set of Lee RGB (Really Great Buy) dies for $11.29, or get a Redding size die and a Forster Ultra seating die. These are close to top of the line items. for a rifle, you probably won't need a crimp die unless you're loading for a semi-auto that sets your bullet back while feeding.
Reasonable intelligence. Reloading, although a great way to shoot a lot more, can be very dangerous of you are stupid or negligent. One of my old reloading handbooks has a cartoon about a guy trying to impress his friends with a super-douper load for his rifle...winding up blowing up his rifle. For well-established cartridgeslike the .308, the "experimenting" has already been done, so if you follow the directions and pay attention, you're pretty much in the clear. Ther are some pressure signs to watch for, as each rifle develops different pressures than every other, but again, if you're of reasonable intelligence, you should be able to handle it.
Bullet puller. Eventually you'll need it. You'll eventually have quite a few cases that you wish you hadn't loaded (seated to deeply, wrong powder charge, you name it) pulling the bullet allows you to re use all those components without firing the round.
A reloading buddy. Where do you live? Who knows, maybe someone here on TFL lives close to you and can help you get started.
That's about it. Eventually you'll add some more gear, but this'll get you started well.
Describing the "way you reload" would force me to type all night, and I'm no expert, for sure anyway. What you should do, is buy more than one reloading manual and read them all...and hang out in the Handloading and Reloading forums...just ask questions and read other's posts. There are an awful lot of sources for info on reloading, and your reloading buddy, as long as he knows what he's doing, will get you off to a safe start. I'll bet that you have at least one gun shop nearby that sells a lot of reloading gear. You could always ask around there, or put up a bulletin board note there that asks for a helping hand...I'll bet you get help quick! Now, this is getting OT for "Art of the Rifle," so if you want, continue this on the Handloading and Reloading forum, of feel free to e-mail me or I'll volunteer El Rojo, too.
BTW, my dillon 550 rocks, too, but for a beginner that might not be "sold" on it, the $219 Lyman turret deal is hard to beat! Besides, even if you upgrade to a progressive later, you'll still have many uses for your turret press.
So, where are you?
You can see the press here:
http://www.lymanproducts.com/presskit.html
And the kit here:
http://www.lymanproducts.com/presski3.html
What you'll need after that:
A sturdy bench...you could read a lot into this...you can find a sturdy bench at the Goodwill for $10...I did for my first bench. OR you can find free bench plans on the net and you materials will run you about $100.
A set of calipers...the $25 Midway calipers do just fine...make sure they go down to .001" and that they repeat the same measurement consistently.
Dies. You can get a set 2 die set of Lee RGB (Really Great Buy) dies for $11.29, or get a Redding size die and a Forster Ultra seating die. These are close to top of the line items. for a rifle, you probably won't need a crimp die unless you're loading for a semi-auto that sets your bullet back while feeding.
Reasonable intelligence. Reloading, although a great way to shoot a lot more, can be very dangerous of you are stupid or negligent. One of my old reloading handbooks has a cartoon about a guy trying to impress his friends with a super-douper load for his rifle...winding up blowing up his rifle. For well-established cartridgeslike the .308, the "experimenting" has already been done, so if you follow the directions and pay attention, you're pretty much in the clear. Ther are some pressure signs to watch for, as each rifle develops different pressures than every other, but again, if you're of reasonable intelligence, you should be able to handle it.
Bullet puller. Eventually you'll need it. You'll eventually have quite a few cases that you wish you hadn't loaded (seated to deeply, wrong powder charge, you name it) pulling the bullet allows you to re use all those components without firing the round.
A reloading buddy. Where do you live? Who knows, maybe someone here on TFL lives close to you and can help you get started.
That's about it. Eventually you'll add some more gear, but this'll get you started well.
Describing the "way you reload" would force me to type all night, and I'm no expert, for sure anyway. What you should do, is buy more than one reloading manual and read them all...and hang out in the Handloading and Reloading forums...just ask questions and read other's posts. There are an awful lot of sources for info on reloading, and your reloading buddy, as long as he knows what he's doing, will get you off to a safe start. I'll bet that you have at least one gun shop nearby that sells a lot of reloading gear. You could always ask around there, or put up a bulletin board note there that asks for a helping hand...I'll bet you get help quick! Now, this is getting OT for "Art of the Rifle," so if you want, continue this on the Handloading and Reloading forum, of feel free to e-mail me or I'll volunteer El Rojo, too.
BTW, my dillon 550 rocks, too, but for a beginner that might not be "sold" on it, the $219 Lyman turret deal is hard to beat! Besides, even if you upgrade to a progressive later, you'll still have many uses for your turret press.
So, where are you?
Steve Smith
New member
Karsten, please read the posts written by El Rojo, Tshoes, _YO_YO_, an myself.
Alternative to Fed 308 Match?
Has anyone had experience with the following as an alternative to Fed Match .308 BTHP?
I haven't been able to get my hands on this ammo or even find out how much it costs. Anyone know?
PMC .308 WIN PRACTICE LOAD
For competitors and law enforcement agencies who shoot the 168 grain, .308 match load, PMC now offers an accurate, economically priced Bronze Line practice load with a 168 grain FMJ bullet to better approximate the flight and velocity characteristics of the match load. The matching bullet weights and similar velocities mean the results you get from your practice ammunition will be closer to those of your match ammunition. The economical price means out-of-pocket costs for practice ammo will be reduced.
http://www.pmcammo.com
Has anyone had experience with the following as an alternative to Fed Match .308 BTHP?
I haven't been able to get my hands on this ammo or even find out how much it costs. Anyone know?
PMC .308 WIN PRACTICE LOAD
For competitors and law enforcement agencies who shoot the 168 grain, .308 match load, PMC now offers an accurate, economically priced Bronze Line practice load with a 168 grain FMJ bullet to better approximate the flight and velocity characteristics of the match load. The matching bullet weights and similar velocities mean the results you get from your practice ammunition will be closer to those of your match ammunition. The economical price means out-of-pocket costs for practice ammo will be reduced.
http://www.pmcammo.com