Is .308 Portagise Ammo OK

[Jughead]

May not be the most accurate but then neither am i. It is FMJ, non corrosive, berdan primed. But are there any major negatives with shooting this ammo in my M1A? THANKS

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[PatMcD]

In my experience, Portugese ball ammo is probably the best surplus .308 out there.

[jmoore]

In my experience, Portugese ball ammo is probably the best surplus .308 out there.

It is certainly good ammo, and about as "precise" as any non-match ammunition out there.

"FNM" w/ the NATO symbol, yes?

[The Wizard]

So, if you aren't the most accurate guy, how do we know if it is the ammunition or you that isn't the most accurate? Beside IT IS MILITARY BALL AMMUNITION. I am tried of people expecting match grade accuracy from combat grade ammo. Remember, in combat, minute of bad guy is good enough. By the way, are you sure you mean accurate or do you mean precise.

[Skip]

So, if you aren't the most accurate guy, how do we know if it is the ammunition or you that isn't the most accurate? Beside IT IS MILITARY BALL AMMUNITION. I am tried of people expecting match grade accuracy from combat grade ammo. Remember, in combat, minute of bad guy is good enough. By the way, are you sure you mean accurate or do you mean precise.

I have seen some discribed as Match Grade.

[arado]

I have found all Portugese military loadings very good. In particular 8 Mauser. If it is FNM I am happy. The most accurate of my NATO surplus is Chinese 7.62x51 and it's not Nato. Gary

[RBruce]

Doesn't accuracy vary from rifle to rifle depending on minute differences in the components. I've frequently read that rifle A likes ammo or load X, while a rifle B in the same caliber likes ammo or load Y. If this is true, then one must match the ammo to the rifle.

[jmoore]

Doesn't accuracy vary from rifle to rifle depending on minute differences in the components. I've frequently read that rifle A likes ammo or load X, while a rifle B in the same caliber likes ammo or load Y. If this is true, then one must match the ammo to the rifle.

It CAN work that way- it's how I test Mosin Nagants and .22" rf rifles- find the maker and lot of ammo that the particular weapon likes.

However, the FNM seems to be about as good as it gets w/ std surplus ammo- it's pretty much at least acceptable (generally rather better, though) in anything you care to test of the appropriate caliber. Some standard (non-match) rifles won't group any better even w/ match ammo.

Major downside these days- its Berdan primed, so no reloading. Upside is- you don't worry about losing empties!

ETA- If you want the single LEAST "precise"(accurate) NATO 7.62x51 in my experience?: Get some US M80 ammo- you'll wonder how your rifle became a "shotgun" all of a sudden! However it IS reloadable and reliable- good for short range CQB work and belt feds.

[ltcboy]

Portugese ammo is like the Cadillac of surplus military issued ammo. Now it's $$$ to get it.

[The Wizard]

Skip,
What someone trying to sell it to you says it is and what it really is are two different things. But is is very good quality NATO standard military ball ammunition. And as with any quality product it preforms very well.