{"id":4262,"date":"2019-09-05T13:40:18","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T13:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/?p=4262"},"modified":"2025-10-08T20:48:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T20:48:32","slug":"what-is-match-grade-ammo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/what-is-match-grade-ammo\/","title":{"rendered":"Match Grade Ammo – Worth the Price?"},"content":{"rendered":"

My grandfather always said, \u201cYou get what you pay for.\u201d His sage advice holds up in almost every situation. But does it hold-up when we talk about match grade ammo?<\/p>\n

We hit the range to get an answer, pitting premium-priced \u201cMatch\u201d ammo against standard factory rounds. (We even threw in some bargain priced training ammo just to see if price equals performance.) You might be surprised at the results.<\/p>\n

What is Match Ammo?<\/h2>\n

\"Match<\/p>\n

The basic definition of match grade ammo is \u201cammunition suitable for a competitive match.\u201d<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, match ammunition is designed to be more consistent and accurate than cheaper general-use ammo.<\/p>\n

Ammo makers achieve this consistency through tight tolerances and strict quality control. Generally speaking, the controls are more rigorous for this ammo to get put in a box and sold than cheap bulk loads.<\/p>\n

You might find powders that burn more consistently along with higher quality (and more expensive) primers in match ammo.<\/p>\n

Match grade rifle ammunition may also feature specialized bullet designs like a boat tail and an open tip. These bullet features help reduce drag to improve aerodynamics. These features can increase accuracy.<\/p>\n

The Problem With the \u201cMatch\u201d Label<\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, the ammunition industry has no universal criteria that must be met for a cartridge to wear the \u201cmatch\u201d label. Instead, it is up to each individual manufacturer to set their own standards. These standards can vary greatly. Some manufacturers label their match ammo based on the projectile design alone. Others use specialized primers or powders to achieve high-level consistency.<\/p>\n

The only surefire way to know what any given match load is capable of is to take it to the range. So, that\u2019s exactly what we did.<\/p>\n

Match Grade Ammo Testing<\/h3>\n

We wanted to approach this project as scientifically as possible. Full disclosure: none of the \u201cresearchers\u201d in our group has a degree in math or physics. We are just regular joes that love to shoot. (The closest thing to a \u201cprofessional\u201d was an active duty Army infantry soldier and a qualified Expert Marksman.)<\/p>\n

There are a ton of variables that can affect ammunition performance. We did our testing on a standard gun range rather than a cold sterile laboratory test room.<\/p>\n

Our results also admittedly come from a rather small sampling. (We used two different shooters, each shooting five rounds of each load.) If this test were replicated on a broader scale in a more controlled environment, the outcome could be vastly different.<\/p>\n

Equipment Used<\/h4>\n

We also wanted the data to be useful to the average shooter, so we chose practical inexpensive firearms to use for testing. We used a factory standard Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical<\/a> with a 23-inch barrel and a custom-built AR-15 platform. The AR was built to standard specs, with a 16-inch barrel, and no fancy tactical bells or whistles.<\/p>\n

We set a to use basic and affordable weapons that are readily available to everyday shooters, no matter their budget or skill level.<\/p>\n

For testing, we used a Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Premium Kit to measure velocity.<\/p>\n

We recorded hundred-yard groups to represent natural shot dispersion from a central point-of-impact. It is important to note that variations in velocity will have minimal effect on shot groups at 100 yards. However, using the mysterious powers of math, we can estimate group sizes at longer distances. Seemingly small inconsistencies at 100 yards will have a huge impact on precision at 300, 400, 500 yards and beyond.<\/p>\n

We used a basic American-made 3-9×40 scope with a first focal plane reticle for magnification. We also used sandbags and a bipod to aid shooter stability. However, we need to note, there was plenty of room for shooter error in our methods.<\/p>\n

What The Numbers Mean<\/h3>\n

\"TheThe velocity produced by each individual round isn\u2019t as important as the variations between rounds. When it comes to precision long-range shooting, the two most important mathematical terms are extreme spread (ES)<\/strong> and standard deviation (SD)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Average Velocity<\/h4>\n

This number is pretty easy to understand. Not really all that important for determining consistency, the average velocity is essential for calculating standard deviation (which is crucial to understanding ammunition consistency).<\/p>\n

Extreme Spread (ES)<\/h4>\n

One of the most basic measurements in ammunition performance, extreme spread<\/strong> is the highest recorded velocity minus the lowest recorded velocity in a string of shots. Ammunition that is consistently loaded with consistent components should produce a lower ES. However, ES isn\u2019t the best measure of consistency. One cartridge that produces a velocity well outside the average velocity of the group can create a larger ES. Therefore, the better measure of consistency is standard deviation.<\/p>\n

Standard Deviation (SD)<\/h4>\n

To quantify the amount of variation in velocity, it is necessary to calculate standard deviation<\/strong>. In very basic terms (for those of us who are math challenged), SD indicates how spread out the numbers are from the average. The lower the SD, the more consistent the ammunition shoots.<\/p>\n

Here is the formula for calculating SD.<\/p>\n

\"formula<\/p>\n

If this looks daunting, don\u2019t worry. We\u2019ve done all the heavy math lifting for you.<\/p>\n

Precision In Inches<\/h4>\n

To estimate \u201caccuracy\u201d for each load we measured the diameter of each shooter\u2019s shot group for each load we tested. We calculated the average spread for each test load and recorded it in the table below.<\/p>\n

Precision Versus Accuracy<\/h3>\n

Before diving into the test data, let\u2019s take a moment to distinguish between precision and accuracy.<\/p>\n

Accuracy<\/em> refers to how well shots are centered on a target. While accuracy is important, it isn\u2019t essential in this test.<\/p>\n

Precision<\/em> is the spread of shots around the center point of a shot group. By focusing on the spread of our groups around a central point rather than around the \u201cbulls-eye,\u201d we can better measure the consistency of the ammunition. If the ammo performs consistently, we can eventually achieve accuracy, usually by adjusting the optic. However, precision can\u2019t be adjusted with the simple turn of a dial.<\/p>\n

Our Test Results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

.308 Winchester<\/span><\/p>\n

Ammunition<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Average Velocity in fps<\/td>\n\n

Extreme Spread<\/span><\/p>\n

(ES)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard Deviation\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(SD)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Precision in Inches<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prvi Partizan 165gr. Pointed Soft Point<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n2738<\/span><\/td>\n78<\/span><\/td>\n25.5<\/span><\/td>\n2.5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wolf WPA 145gr. FMJ<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n2804<\/span><\/td>\n146<\/span><\/td>\n55.2<\/span><\/td>\n3.63<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
German Military Surplus 148gr. FMJ<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n2865<\/span><\/td>\n221<\/span><\/td>\n58.7<\/span><\/td>\n1.5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Federal American Eagle 150gr. FMJ-BT<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n2895<\/span><\/td>\n79<\/span><\/td>\n21<\/span><\/td>\n2.88<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prvi Partizan 168gr. BTHP Match<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n2734<\/span><\/td>\n78<\/span><\/td>\n15.2<\/span><\/td>\n1.25<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Federal Gold Medal Match 175gr. BTHP<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n2630<\/span><\/td>\n115<\/span><\/td>\n41.8<\/span><\/td>\n1.75<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\n $25.95 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 20rds - .308 Federal American Eagle 150gr. FMJ Ammo <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n $30.95 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 20rds - .308 Federal Gold Medal Match 175gr. BTHP Ammo <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n