Anyone here attempted successfully to duplicate Federal?

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

I think so too. Still need to buy primers and bullets though. Smile

Dimitri

GUTS

Dimitri, As far as I know the closest there is to the Federal GMM load is 41.5 of IMR4064. I used this load a lot when I was winging 168 Sierra BTHP's out of my LR.308. It produced under 1/2"MOA groups at 100 meters.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

Guts,

I do believe you are correct its IMR4064 in GMM, however I decided on the Varget due to its ability to be very temperature stable.

Dimitri

fnuser

Okay I read all the posts again, are you going to use any federal components?

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

Nope.

This is what I am going to load.

Norma 308 Win cases.
Sierra 168gr Match King.
Hodgdon 43gr Varget
CCI Bench Rest Primers.

From wanting to replicate Federal I decided on using the best brass I can get my hands on (Norma), but the same bullet as the GMM (168gr SMK), to the least temperature sensitive powder (Varget), to the most consistent primers (the CCI BR-2 primers).

Dimitri

Bushmaster

And if they (your recipe) don't come up to your specifications? Shocked

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

Bushy,

I'm thinking of loading 10 rounds of each charge weights 42.8, 43.0, and 43.2 at first then just make a large batch of which ever ones shot best in my Enfield.

Hopefully something will work out well. Smile

Dimitri

Bushmaster

Don't forget to load a couple of fouling shots too beforeyou start the test shots...

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

Bushy,

Before I shoot the reloads I'm going to burn up the 2 boxes of GMM that I got.

For a little practice, as I must admit its been since last fall since I last went shooting. As well as a "bench mark" to see how well the reloads due when I am shooting them compared to me shooting the GMM. I don't shoot with a rifle rest or similar. Just a sling, so the groups either way will be a little bigger then they are accurate. Smile

Mind you I did manage to sight in my dads crossbow with 2 shots Friday. After the first shot and adjustment all the bolts afterwords were right on the money. Smile

Dimitri

chambered221

fnuser wrote:

Okay I read all the posts again, are you going to use any federal components?

I don’t think duplicate/replicate are the best words to describe what he’s doing !!!

I think it’s more about ending up with the same results so that a semi-auto will function correctly.

chambered221

To say that one primer is more consistent than another without actually shooting over a chronograph only shows your inexperience as a hand loader!!!

I have done several tests in which the only change has been the primer.
The end results were rather surprising and shocking.
The first set of tests I did the Winchester WLR was the hands down winner with Federal Match next and the BR-2’s last.

When it came time to develop a new load for another gun I went right for the Winchesters. (The same lot # previously tested)
When the extreme spreads were higher than expected I couldn’t understand it and went back to testing primers over the chronograph.
This time the Federal Match won, then the BR-2 and the WLR last.

So the moral of the story is:
Until you get some rounds downrange and do some testing you’ll never know what works and what don’t, or in this case what’s more consistent !!!

Bushmaster

I try to stay with CCI primers. When all else fails I go with Winchester primers.

I also did tests on primers across a chronograph. I found that winchester primers tend to be a bit hotter then CCI. On average in handgun about 25 fps and in rifle about 50 fps. Winchesters being the faster of the two.

After 23 years of reloading both I have yet to have a primer failure...

chambered221

The CCI’s were the weakest in all the testing I did.
I even went the extra step and added powder to bring up the velocity attempting to make it as fair as possible.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying their no good. I have used them with success. My dad also has a .222 that likes them better than anything.

I did have a batch of Winchesters in the late 80’s that almost lead me to sell one of my favorite rifles.

Bushmaster

Because of my findings with CCI and Winchester primers. I use them to do the fine adjustments (if it's needed). My go to primer is CCI. I believe that those who have had problems with CCI probably didn't make sure that the primer was seated all the way. Because their cup is one on the hardest on the market if you don't seat them fully they will fail to ignite on the first hammer/firingpin blow...Or if you have been tinkering with the hammer spring they are not recommended...Go federal for weak hammer springs...

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

chambered221 wrote:

only shows your inexperience as a hand loader!!!

What can I say I have never used my reloading press yet. Very Happy

For that matter I don't own a chronograph yet.

Dimitri