|
|
09-10-2017, 12:56 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 41
Liked 48 Times in 30 Posts
|
|
Hunting versus Match Ammo
Is there a noticeable difference in accuracy between quality hunting ammunition and Match ammo?
I got a pretty good deal on some HORNADY 223 53GR V-MAX SUPERFORMANCE. It's definitely more accurate than bulk fmj. I'm curious about how it stacks up to match grade ammo.
|
09-10-2017, 01:43 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: God's Country
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 1,235
Liked 3,535 Times in 1,770 Posts
|
|
Every gun is individual. You would have to shoot both to find out. You may find your gun does not like match ammo as well as some brands of hunting or vice versa.
I load my own so both match grade and hunting ammunition is tailored to the individual gun. Accuracy is close, but the match ammo is better because the bullet is designed for accuracy and not terminal performance. There is no comparison with M193 fmj.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
09-10-2017, 01:52 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 37
Liked 5,430 Times in 1,761 Posts
|
|
An interesting question, and one with no simple answer. What most folks assume is that the term "Match Grade" equates to "More Accurate"; in fact, it ain't necessarily so.
What it means, or at least implies, is that the manufacturer has employed higher standards of quality control for his "Match" ammunition than for his regular-run-of-the-mill ammo. This would mean greater consistency in all of the components used, and in every step of loading. Theoretically, this means the ammo should be more accurate.
But "theoretically" is the catch. Fact is, rifles are individuals. For some, the more consistent the ammo the better they shoot, while some perverse individuals will shoot great with the cheapest bulk ammo you can find -- or lousy with the most expensive "Match Grade" out there.
So there's the problem with comparing the V-Max Superperformance ammo you're asking about with a match grade load. In my rifle, the V-Max might make the match grade ammo look like junk; in your rifle, the match grade stuff might blow away the V-Max.
Not a very satisfying answer, but the truth.
__________________
Pisgah
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
09-10-2017, 04:30 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 834
Likes: 232
Liked 272 Times in 173 Posts
|
|
I have found that some so called match ammo didn't group well in my M&P Sport 2, but some range ammo did very well, with no flyers to boot. Those were IMI, 5.56, 55 grain FMJ and Wolf Gold 55 grain FMJ.
__________________
NRA R.S.O. & Life Member
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
09-10-2017, 06:03 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 239
Likes: 485
Liked 235 Times in 107 Posts
|
|
Wylie,
May I ask where you got that Hornady ammo?
Tom
|
09-10-2017, 10:19 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 41
Liked 48 Times in 30 Posts
|
|
Tom, my buddy and I bought a case at a gun show in Texas a while back .
I'm getting about 1-2" moa out of it. I wouldn't hesitate to use this stuff on coyote or prairie dog.
Pisgah is right on. In a 5 shot group, I'm getting four shots in a 1 moa or less group. Then I get a crazy 2" flyer on one of the shots. It's good enough for hunting though.
|
09-10-2017, 10:46 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 351
Liked 714 Times in 476 Posts
|
|
On paper, match ammo should be more accurate than hunting ammo because of more attention to detail in making the ammunition and better quality materials but like others have stated, each rifle is an individual. So, it may shoot cheap ammo well and match ammo not so well. The only way to know for sure is to spend the money on a box off ammo you want to try and see how it does and take notes for the future.
|
09-10-2017, 11:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 1,000
Liked 3,595 Times in 1,521 Posts
|
|
Simple answer. Match ammo will be more consistent because of all the QC and batch testing. Different batches will still perform very similarly.
Hunting ammo MAY be even more accurate, but that is just luck of the draw. Finding an awesome batch that happens to work great in your specific firearm.
|
09-11-2017, 06:55 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: God's Country
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 1,235
Liked 3,535 Times in 1,770 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wylie won
Pisgah is right on. In a 5 shot group, I'm getting four shots in a 1 moa or less group. Then I get a crazy 2" flyer on one of the shots. It's good enough for hunting though.
|
Is that flier the first shot or one later in the group? Semi-automatic firearms are known for first round fliers, particularly if you ride the charging handle home and then seat the cartridge by using the forward assist. Not all rifles will do this, but is is fairly common.
|
09-11-2017, 05:23 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 41
Liked 48 Times in 30 Posts
|
|
Scott, my first shot yesterday was way off at 100 yards! These are 1" squares.
I'm a decent shot. I'm working on it, so I'm sure some of this is shooter error.
Last edited by wylie won; 09-11-2017 at 05:25 PM.
|
09-11-2017, 05:38 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 41
Liked 48 Times in 30 Posts
|
|
Ultimately, sgtsandman is right. I just need to spend the money on match ammo to compare them all.
I don't reload, so I didn't know if there was difference in the components of hunting and match ammo. Those that brought up quality control, it makes a lot of sense.
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|