Interesting ammo accuracy observation

[stimpsonjcat]

Went to the range this weekend to try 2 new tasco propoints I got. One of them I mounted on the wifes SAR1...got it sighted in and she was knocking out 1-1/2" to 2" groups at 100 yards...way better than I expected from scope or weapon. Then the stupid LED faded out! tried swapping batteries...nope...it's the scope.

The scope I had placed on my STG had been fairly inconsistent...didn't seeme to want to hold zero (but it did have a nice bright dot!).

So Sunday I went back out to the range with just the good ole ironsights on the STG and had moved the functional scope to the SAR1. Sure enough, it was wandering around like it had been on the STG. I am sending both propoints back for replacement, the boxes looked like they had been opened. I'll post a report about their functionality when I get a chance to try them again.

NOW...here's the interesting part. When I was firing the STG with open sights I was getting groups in the range of 3-4 inches or so at 100 yards with RG ammo. These groups didn't include the 'fliers' I had been getting with the propoint on Saturday. Sometimes better...sometimes worse, and some of this was potentially me.
At the end of the day I decided to fire 3 rounds of some hunting ammo (Winchester soft points 150g) to see where they would be hitting in comparison and to make sure it cycled OK. Fired 3 rounds at a sighter circle I could barely see at 100 yards and scored a 1-1/4" group.
So is the military stuff really that bad? I am seriously considering getting some 'match' or at least 'better' grade ammo to run through this beast. Anyone had similar experiences? Any recommended ammunition to try? I don't necessarily want to break the bank over this, but it would be nice to have some more accurate loads around.

More to the point, I am planning on using this gun for hog hunting in the next month or so. Any good recommendations for hunting rounds for the FAL?

Thanks a bunch!

peace!

[hagar]

Try some Failsafes in the FAL, they should do wonders on hogs. FMJBT ammo normally have an open base, and is not as accurate as ammo with a nice copper plated base. Military ammo also is designed to stay as close as possible to the Geneva Convention and still inflict horrendous wounds, accuracy is not the first priority.

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I don't have time for busy people

[stimpsonjcat]

Hagar,

OK, got any good sources for failsafe?

Thanks!

peace!

[Tom S]

MIDWAY has a good selection of "hunting bullets" and ammo. For hogs, I would suggest Failsafe, Nosler Partition or Swift bullets. Stick with the 165-180gr bullets for hogs, as they can be tough critters! I have taken two(one sow about 250lbs and one very large Russian boar that weighed about 350lbs), both with much heavier weapons that what I consider the "weak" 7.62 round. I shot a boar my cousin wounded and was running away from us with my 458 Win Mag to "finish him off". The 400gr bullet entered his right hip, passed thru the belly, the liver, the lungs, the left shoulder blade and came to a rest just under the skin on the front of his left shoulder! That bullet killed him very dramatically, after passing thru almost three feet of hog!

[TStafford]

Something to consider...
When I shoot one bullet at a time (to test gas setting) is can get 1 to 2 inch groups at 100 yards using surplus ammo. I also find that the smaller the target I fire at the smaller my groups are. This works for rifles and pistols. I usually use a 2 inch or 3 inch orange circle at 100 yards. 1 inch circle at 50 yards.

[Bruce]

While I don't have a FAL yet, (it's on order) I have some points that may interest you from my Remington 700 VLS in .308. (Your question WAS about ammo, so...)

Under 10X, using 147 gr. FMJ surplus, my best group was one inch @ 110 yards.

Using Rem. 180 gr. Core-Lokt SPs, best group was one inch.

Using Fed. Gold Medal Match 175 gr. Sierra BTHP, my best group went to 5/8".

The cheapest price on Fed. Match that I've found to date was at Miwall Ammo, for $15.75.
http://www.miwallcorp.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=mwcorp&Category_Code=Federal