Accurate ammo for Stg58 and Argentine FSL FAL? Magtech 168 Grain OTM?

kiddsf · November 20, 2017, 14:34

I recently started to collect FAL rifles again and found a shooting range that goes out to 400 yards.

Brought my early DSA Stg58 rifle w/ original barrel and my Preban Argentine rifle w/ cut down 18" barrel.

Started at 100 yards, both rifles using iron sight only:

The Stg58 did excellent with Malaysian 7.62 Surplus (1.8MOA 10rd group), did great with German MEN 7.62 new production (2.7MOA 10rd group).
Surprisingly, Wolf 145gr didn't do too bad either, at about 3MOA 10rd groups.

The Preban Argentine didn't do so good, but I'd say she did ok.
Malaysian 7.62 Surplus: ~3.5 MOA 10rd group
German MEN 7.62: ~3.5 MOA 10rd group
Wolf 145gr: ~4 MOA 10rd group

My question is:
Do you guys own either Stg58 or Argentine FSL, and have tried a few 'accurate' ammo through them?

Anyone got experience with Magtech/CBC 168gr OTM 'Sniper' Ammo?

I know Federal Gold Medal Match has a good reputation, but I figure maybe there are other cheaper alternatives.

lockjaw · November 20, 2017, 20:41

You are using iron sights at 100 yards. The consistency of your 10 groups across the board is commendable... nice shooting!

Did you shoot three 10 shot groups with the STG58 and then moved on to three 10 shot groups with the Argy?

The FAL iron sights are not forgiving to human error.

You would be better suited to shoot three 10 shot groups with each ammo type through one rifle on one day, then repeat the same process with the other rifle on another day. Of course, make sure that the weather conditions are favorable and comparable on each of these days.

Though this process, you will find which rifle prefers which ammo best.

kiddsf · November 20, 2017, 21:35

Thank you for replying.
I actually did the Stg58 last week, then Argentine Preban(18" cut down) yesterday.

Yesterday, I also brought the Stg58, and it was shooting about the same as before, 2-3MOA.
The Argentine, which I already shot a few times already, continue doing 3.5-4 MOA.

From my experience right now with both rifles, and with Wolf 145gr, Malaysian Surplus, and German MEN new production ammo, that the Stg58 seems to be consistent and accurate, while the Argentine is a bit picky.

Just want to know what everyone else is shooting, ammo wise, to obtain better accuracy in their Argentine FAL, or FAL rifles, in general.

My goal is to have ammo available for both the Stg58 and Argentine FAL to do ~2MOA or better.
As of now, the Stg58 definitely has no problem doing that... so that means I need to find some 'accurate' ammo for my Argentine FAL.

**Right Side Up** · November 20, 2017, 23:31

Great shooting. That STG is a keeper.

Clonehead · November 21, 2017, 13:20

Nice shooting! I just did some ammo testing with my early DSA STG58 with 18" Steyr barrel:

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...=1#post4504155

My STG58 is pretty picky about ammo and really does not like any load over 147-150gr, including match ammo - wasted some really nice Lapua 175gr and Hornady 168gr BTHP match ammo to discover that this rifle will shoot surplus 147gr FMJ into much smaller groups.

kiddsf · November 21, 2017, 15:47

Thanks for the input.
I decided to try out some 'Match' ammo and see what happens.

I ordered 2 boxes of: Hornady 155gr Steel Match, PPU 155gr HPBT, PMC XTAC 168gr OTM, American Eagle 'M1A' 168gr 7.62x51 OTM, Magtech 168gr 7.62x51 OTM, and IMI 7.62x51 168gr OTM.

Hopefully the Argentine FSL/FAL will like at least one of those.

Gunfighter45 · November 21, 2017, 15:58

I've had good results with Hornady Black 155 AMAX in my 50.00.

Nuttz · November 21, 2017, 16:58

My FM FSL like Federal. It does well with XM80 and better with 168gr FGMM. Did okay with Hornady 168gr Amax as well: Here are a few videos of the 21" Argy when I had the ACOG and the VLTORs on her at 500yds or better:

500yds - Federal FGMM 168gr SMK BTHP:

500yds - Hornady 168gr A-Max:

500yds - Federal XM80:

600yds - Federal XM80:

800yds - Federal XM80:

Clonehead · November 21, 2017, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuttz

My FM FSL like Federal. It does well with XM80 and better with 168gr FGMM. Did okay with Hornady 168gr Amax as well: Here are a few videos of the 21" Argy when I had the ACOG and the VLTORs on her at 500yds or better

Great videos Nuttz!

November 20, 2017, 14:34	#1
kiddsf Registered FALaholic #: 51612 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 243	Accurate ammo for Stg58 and Argentine FSL FAL? Magtech 168 Grain OTM? I recently started to collect FAL rifles again and found a shooting range that goes out to 400 yards. Brought my early DSA Stg58 rifle w/ original barrel and my Preban Argentine rifle w/ cut down 18" barrel. Started at 100 yards, both rifles using iron sight only: The Stg58 did excellent with Malaysian 7.62 Surplus (1.8MOA 10rd group), did great with German MEN 7.62 new production (2.7MOA 10rd group). Surprisingly, Wolf 145gr didn't do too bad either, at about 3MOA 10rd groups. The Preban Argentine didn't do so good, but I'd say she did ok. Malaysian 7.62 Surplus: ~3.5 MOA 10rd group German MEN 7.62: ~3.5 MOA 10rd group Wolf 145gr: ~4 MOA 10rd group My question is: Do you guys own either Stg58 or Argentine FSL, and have tried a few 'accurate' ammo through them? Anyone got experience with Magtech/CBC 168gr OTM 'Sniper' Ammo? I know Federal Gold Medal Match has a good reputation, but I figure maybe there are other cheaper alternatives. Last edited by kiddsf; November 20, 2017 at 14:49.

November 21, 2017, 15:58	#7
Gunfighter45 Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 77780 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Sevierville, TN Posts: 190	I've had good results with Hornady Black 155 AMAX in my 50.00. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Yavapai Firearms Academy HG1(×2), HG2, & SG, Gunsite 250C, Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Shootrite Pvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

November 21, 2017, 16:58	#8
Nuttz Semper Fidelis Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 69873 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,152	My FM FSL like Federal. It does well with XM80 and better with 168gr FGMM. Did okay with Hornady 168gr Amax as well: Here are a few videos of the 21" Argy when I had the ACOG and the VLTORs on her at 500yds or better: *500yds - Federal FGMM 168gr SMK BTHP:* *500yds - Hornady 168gr A-Max:* *500yds - Federal XM80:* *600yds - Federal XM80:* *800yds - Federal XM80:* __________________ "He who controls the spice, controls the universe!" ― Frank Herbert

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November 20, 2017, 20:41	#2
lockjaw Not a gimp RR 11B40 B4 Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 64904 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: michigan Posts: 928	You are using iron sights at 100 yards. The consistency of your 10 groups across the board is commendable... nice shooting! Did you shoot three 10 shot groups with the STG58 and then moved on to three 10 shot groups with the Argy? The FAL iron sights are not forgiving to human error. You would be better suited to shoot three 10 shot groups with each ammo type through one rifle on one day, then repeat the same process with the other rifle on another day. Of course, make sure that the weather conditions are favorable and comparable on each of these days. Though this process, you will find which rifle prefers which ammo best.

November 20, 2017, 21:35	#3
kiddsf Registered FALaholic #: 51612 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 243	Thank you for replying. I actually did the Stg58 last week, then Argentine Preban(18" cut down) yesterday. Yesterday, I also brought the Stg58, and it was shooting about the same as before, 2-3MOA. The Argentine, which I already shot a few times already, continue doing 3.5-4 MOA. From my experience right now with both rifles, and with Wolf 145gr, Malaysian Surplus, and German MEN new production ammo, that the Stg58 seems to be consistent and accurate, while the Argentine is a bit picky. Just want to know what everyone else is shooting, ammo wise, to obtain better accuracy in their Argentine FAL, or FAL rifles, in general. My goal is to have ammo available for both the Stg58 and Argentine FAL to do ~2MOA or better. As of now, the Stg58 definitely has no problem doing that... so that means I need to find some 'accurate' ammo for my Argentine FAL.

November 20, 2017, 23:31	#4
Right Side Up Old Fart Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 43 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 7,377	Great shooting. That STG is a keeper.

November 21, 2017, 13:20	#5
Clonehead Registered FALaholic #: 27461 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 387	Nice shooting! I just did some ammo testing with my early DSA STG58 with 18" Steyr barrel: http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...=1#post4504155 My STG58 is pretty picky about ammo and really does not like any load over 147-150gr, including match ammo - wasted some really nice Lapua 175gr and Hornady 168gr BTHP match ammo to discover that this rifle will shoot surplus 147gr FMJ into much smaller groups.

November 21, 2017, 15:47	#6
kiddsf Registered FALaholic #: 51612 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 243	Thanks for the input. I decided to try out some 'Match' ammo and see what happens. I ordered 2 boxes of: Hornady 155gr Steel Match, PPU 155gr HPBT, PMC XTAC 168gr OTM, American Eagle 'M1A' 168gr 7.62x51 OTM, Magtech 168gr 7.62x51 OTM, and IMI 7.62x51 168gr OTM. Hopefully the Argentine FSL/FAL will like at least one of those.