federal 130 grain OTM ammo

[dammitman]

I tried to find comments on this factory ammo but gave up and just thought I would ask. have you tried this ammo with any gun you have and how did it perform for you? I bought a couple boxes on sale at cabellas and just wonder what reviews you may give it. my only grendels have 1-9 twist and 1-7.5.

[mdewitt71]

I have never heard of it till this post.....

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At $25 a box; it is not for me....

[LRRPF52]

It's Federal Gold Medal Match.

$25/box for Berger Hybrid OTM-tipped ammo is actually a very good price.

[Rhino48]

Hey, my first post! I bought 200 rounds of this on sale a while back. My gun does not like it all that much, like 2.5-4" groups. However, I pulled 10 of them an loaded it back up with a known powder and shazam, .9" group. It seems pretty hot.

(16" Bear Creek barrel and bolt, carbine gas, VG6 6.5 break, ALG handguard)

[dammitman]

what powder did you reload it with? I will try this ammo as soon as the this winter lets go.

[nathan197]

I had cycling issues with it out of an 15 round asc mag in my Odin barrel. Loaded up an elander mag with it and only had one issue ejecting but I was shooting at a slightly faster rate. Groups vary 1-1.5 Moa for me. Still prefer hornady black to it for factory ammo.

[Rhino48]

what powder did you reload it with? I will try this ammo as soon as the this winter lets go.

Sorry for the delay. Let me preface my reply with "Don't do what I do."

I used Accurate Arms 2200 Data powder at 22.7 grains. This powder is very fast, I'd suggest too fast for 130's. There is no load data for that powder for bullets over 123gr.

But there was no flash, no smoke, less recoil than whatever Federal uses. Primers looked good, but ejector smears and extractor marks show, although frankly not really any worse than the standard factory load. Thanks to reading on this site, I'm going to try to get that in control before I judge pressure signs any further.

I used that same charge with 130 RDF Noslers loaded to 2.275 OAL, which also shoot just under MOA, but again, I'm not working with that any further until I try some gas and bolt timing management, as well as slower powder. They fit in my 10 round C products mags and feed great.

Oh, and used 23.1 grains with Sierra 120 SMK, which also shoot just under MOA. That load is a cream puff, and I'll be making more. Hope to get some 107 Tipped SMK's soon-ish.

This upper has eaten every round I've thrown at it without a hiccup. ETA - Hornady Black fires fine, but is minute of barn for me.

[dammitman]

well I was able to get out Saturday and try these and I must say they were awesome. 1/2 moa out of my 20 inch shilen barrel. I spose downside might be they show a average spped of 2349 out the barrel. ES 40.81 and a SD of 13.6 LO 2322 and a HI of 2363. so they shoot fine, are kinda expensive but I will keep a case of these around.

[VASCAR2]

What twist is your 20” Shilen 6.5 Grendel dammitman?

[dammitman]

I ordered a 20 inch 1-9 twist barrel with threaded muzzle direct from shilen right in the middle of the grendel parts shortage several years ago. I was always concerned about the trist and if it was going to really limit my bullet weight choices.

[VASCAR2]

Thanks dammitman, I have a Shilen 1:9 twist match profile 6.5 Grendel barrel I got from Midway. I haven’t shot any bullets heavier than 123 grains. Looks like I may have to test some of the 129-130 grain bullets. My Son in Law has a 22” Lothar Walther 6.5 CSS with 1:9 twist which is accurate with Hornady 129 grain SST and SP.