[Ares007]

I need suggestions for ammo to use with my new rifle.

I had heard that Federal 168 grain Match King was the suggested round (forgot from who) for my rifle (FN SPR).

Can anyone who owns this rifle tell me if that is okay. I also heard Black Hills makes a nice round.

My friend also told me that once I zero in my scope, that I should use that particular round that I zeroed the scope with?

This is my first true target/sniper rifle, I just want to make sure I start off right.

I won't be doint reloads, so I will be buying them.

Thank you.

Jack

 

[gvcryan]

2 guns with sequential serials often like two totally different types of ammo...you really need to experiment. That said, the Black Hills and the Federal GMM 168gr are known commodities, buy a box of surplus, and a box of each. You'll be able to figure out which is best for you.

Each vendor uses different cocktails of powder, seating depth, case head internal diameter, and a myriad of other little factors that go into their ammo.

Basically, different types of ammo go different places...the long and short of it, is that your zero isn't identical for all types of ammo.

I use surplus to hit the paper, then I use the good stuff to lock down my zero. Then I shoot the other types and log where it lands. That way, if 180gr Bergers are 3/4"to 1" lower than 168's at 100 yards, I know that I need to come up 4 clicks when I shoot it.

 

[MitchAlsup]

I had heard that Federal 168 grain Match King was the suggested round (forgot from who) for my rifle (FN SPR).

We can abreviate this into FGMM 168 (Federal Gold Medal Match). The FGMM 175 loading is better at distances beyond 600 yards, should you have the opportunity.

Can anyone who owns this rifle tell me if that is okay. I also heard Black Hills makes a nice round.

BH Red Box 168 Match is almost as good (e.g. approximately equal to) as FGMM 168. I suspect that BH RB 175 is similar to FGMM 175.

My friend also told me that once I zero in my scope, that I should use that particular round that I zeroed the scope with?

Different loads will 'print' at different points of impact. Differnet batches of the same load will 'print' at different PoIs. Extreme weather changes will change the PoI even with loads from the same batch.

A Zero is a short-term setting of the elevation and windage dials. Tactical shooting changes these dials regularly and routinely. Your zero is only a starting point for the days session.

This is my first true target/sniper rifle, I just want to make sure I start off right.

I won't be doint reloads, so I will be buying them.

Most of the above ammo will be $1.00-$1.40/shot. You can reload to these loadings at $0.30-$0.35/shot and in the process obtains smaller group sizes and longer range capabilities--should you so choose.

 

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Howdy Jack!

With my FN SPR A1 (24" BBL), I have been using primarily FGGM 168's. I have 135 rounds down my tube, with the average 5 shot group about .65" @ 100yards. I have a 1 in 12" twist...

The 1 in 12" is not recommeneded for anything over 175grs generally as the projectiles are not given a fast enough twist to stabilize properly, some people think this is bogus, but I've found the 168's work better than 175's on 1 in 12's in the past.

With your A1a (20" BBL, which I believe to be a 1 in 12" twist as well), I would think that your projectiles have naturally less time to stabilize, such that sticking to the 168's and even, if you can find them, Lapua's 155 Scenar load would work best from your rifle. Black Hills is decent ammunition too.

I'd personally recommend buying a box of FGGM 168, the BHM (Red Box) 168's, and a box of the Lapua Scenars 155gr. Clean your rifle and shoot 4 5-shot groups with a box, then clean again before the next box of different ammo, repeat, and then compare the collective averages of the group sizes for each ammunition, and perhaps one ammunition shall prove to be a clear winner for your rifle.

Hope it all works out for you, love to see some pictures of the rifle and some groups. Good shooting! Cheers.