Whats the best cartridge to use with a M24 type rifle for distance and accuracy?

Question

I gave in recently an bought an M24 expensive, but boys gotta have their toys. I've been shooting 150 grain Winchester Supreme Silvertips. They do alright out to about 700 yards, but I know with a milspec rifle, its gotta shoot farther and more accurate, given the right round. Please help

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

Your M24 is very much like the Marine's M40 system. I would recommend, if you can get it, either M852 or M118LR.

M852 is the Sierra 168 grain MatchKing loaded to a muzzle velocity of 2550 fps. This round is commercially available from Federal, Remington and Black Hills. This load can be duplicated using the same bullet and 41.5 grains of Accurate Arms 2520.

M118LR is the Sierra 175 grain MatchKing, also loaded to a velocity of 2550 fps. I am not certain if this load is commercially available yet or not. However, this load can be duplicated using the Sierra 175 grain MatchKing bullet and 41.5 grains of Accurate Arms 2520.

My Remington 700 Varmint Special in .308 Winchester (very much like the Marine M40A2) will shoot M118LR well. At 1000 yards I can expect 12" groups out of this rifle. You can toy with the above loads trying powders with different burn rates. I have had success with the 175 grain MatchKing and IMR 4064. For maximum accuracy you need to use HPBT bullets. Your best bet is to duplicate proven military match loads.

The 150 grain bullet you have chosen is too light for this rifle and is not a match grade bullet. It is a hunting bullet. You could also try to load up the military M72/M118 FMJBT bullet, if you can find any that have not been pulled.

Good luck.

Answer 2

OK i have been shooting the .308 for around 30 years and it is probably the most unpredictable cartridge to chose for any one rifle. if you want a real tack driver first you need to know the twist, 1 in 10 or 1 in 12. most are 1 in 12. higher number likes heavier bullets. then spend $200 and buy an assortment of ammo, weights and manufactures. plan a full day out shooting your rifle. sand bag the gun on the bench and start shooting. make sure the gun is bore sighted our you will waste allot of money. take your time shooting one round every minute or 2 , 3 rounds from each box of ammo. you will get the idea what im saying by the 2nd or 3rd box.......i have a HOWA heavy varmint in .308 with a 36x Leopold that shoots 3 rounds under a dime at 100yds. the gun is over 20 years old and still shoots as well as the day i bought it.......HAPPY SHOOTING!

Answer 3

Assuming that your using the .308 Winchester I would Try it with either Federal GM 168 or the GM175 if you don't mind spending the money. I would also try Black Hills in the 168 or 175 grain weights. You can expect groups around .4-.5 MOA or less. If you reload your own groups will probably be smaller.

Answer 4

the bigger the grain the better it is for distance and knock down power

Answer 5

BEST TO GO TO A REAL FORUM
PARALLAX BILLS
GRAYBEARD OUTDOORS
GUNBROKER.COM
SOMEPLACE LIKE THAT WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE EDUCATED ON THE SUBJECT
HERE U GET A BUNCH OF SPECULATION
IT WILL OF COURSE DEPEND ON THE PARTICULAR RIFLE AND WHAT IT LIKES TO BE FED.
I DONT THINK YOU WILL GET THE RESULTS YOU SEEK OUT OF FACTORY AMMO.
YOUR AMMO NEEDS TO BE TAILOR BUILT TO THE CHAMBER SPECS OF YOUR GUN