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powder used in Federal Gold Medal ammunition?

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03 February 2004, 06:03
EXPRESS
powder used in Federal Gold Medal ammunition?
Can anyone tell me what powder Federal uses in their Gold Medal ammo in .308win with the 168gn MK?
03 February 2004, 06:26
Jay Gorski
I've heard that IMR4064 is used, but I'd use 42grs. RE15, which is close to 4064, I got Federal's # and will give them a call and see if they'll tell me, Jay
03 February 2004, 07:09
bigcountry
I always heard that too. 4064 anyway.
03 February 2004, 11:52
308Sako
You can't go wrong with IMR 4064, 42.3 grs is the Sierra accuracy load and shoots in the .3's in my VSSF. The best and most consistant load ever. This load preforms in all seasons and conditions. Really amazing when you think about it!
03 February 2004, 11:55
Major Caliber
I think they are using 43gr's, could vary with the lot.
03 February 2004, 13:27
mr.big
give A-2520 a try and never look back.
03 February 2004, 14:57
Jay Gorski
Quote:

You can't go wrong with IMR 4064, 42.3 grs is the Sierra accuracy load and shoots in the .3's in my VSSF. The best and most consistant load ever. This load preforms in all seasons and conditions. Really amazing when you think about it!



The Sierra data I've got says 42grs. of RE15 for the 168MK, my buddy got a group in the high 2s with his Rem. PSS, got the data from Sierra a few months ago. Jay
03 February 2004, 15:03
mr.big
I`m telling yall that A-2520 is finer than sand,meters flawlessly,and with the 168 Hornady BTHPM Moly and 44 grs it averages in the mid 3`s in my VSSF.right at 2700 fps.I`ve tried them all from RL 12 to IMR-4831 and day in day out it is the most consistant.
03 February 2004, 16:16
Jay Gorski
MrBig, I've tried 44grs. of 2520 with 165 Hornadys, and it was moa load, I then tried 50grs. of H380 and that was bit more accurate, never tried any other powder with that bullet, that was 11yrs. ago, Varget is another powder to try with the 168MK, but I'm too fond of RE15 and that'll be my powder for 308 and 7mm08, besides it's more temp insensitive than 2520, had some pressure signs with 2520 when working up a load with 150gr. Sierras, and wasn't close to max yet, had flattened primers with 44grs., max is 49 if I remember correctly, Jay
04 February 2004, 05:20
Jay Gorski
Quote:

I've heard that IMR4064 is used, but I'd use 42grs. RE15, which is close to 4064, I got Federal's # and will give them a call and see if they'll tell me, Jay



Talked to Mike at Federal and he said they use 2 powders for that round and they're about the same as 4064 and RE15, go figure, some of if not the best powders for the 308 and 168MK, the 308 isn't a fussy cartridge, probably could use any powder in that burn rate and get excellent results, RE15 will flow through a powder measure better than 4064 though, Jay
04 February 2004, 07:03
R-WEST
I've had some real problems with wild speed fluctuations between lots of AA's 2520 (and 2015, too). The first lot of each, from a number of years ago, was MUCH faster than the later lots. Haven't seen the same thing with their 4064, 4350 and 3100, tho...



BTW - My VSSF prefers the current lot of AA4064 with everything, although, as has been noted, anything from H322 to H380 does a superb job in the 308. It's just a nice cartridge to load for.



R-WEST
04 February 2004, 09:15
POP
Had great luck with H4895 too!