First Impressions of Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off
The Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off promises a blend of accuracy and terminal performance, making it a potential contender for both target shooting and hunting applications. Remington has a long and storied history in ammunition manufacturing, and this offering attempts to bridge the gap between affordable range ammo and premium hunting rounds. Is this ammunition a jack-of-all-trades, or does it excel in a specific niche?
I needed reliable ammunition for my semi-automatic .308 rifle that could perform well at the range for practice and also be suitable for deer hunting within 300 yards. I was tired of switching between different loads and wanted a single solution that could handle both scenarios effectively. I had been using Federal Gold Medal Match for target practice and Hornady ELD-X for hunting, but the cost and inconvenience of switching were becoming tiresome.
Upon unboxing, the Remington ammunition appeared well-packaged, with no visible defects or inconsistencies. The polymer-tipped boat tail bullets looked sleek and uniform, giving an immediate impression of quality control. The brass casings were clean and the primers were properly seated, suggesting a consistent manufacturing process.
Compared to the Federal Gold Medal Match, the Remington lacked the match-grade pedigree, and the Hornady ELD-X rounds had a more aggressively designed hunting bullet. However, the Remington offered a more balanced profile that seemed promising. This balanced profile piqued my interest.
My initial impression was cautiously optimistic. The ammunition looked well-made and offered a good compromise between target accuracy and hunting suitability. I was excited to see how it would perform at the range and in the field.
Real-World Testing: Putting Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off to the Test
First Use Experience
My first experience with the Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off was at my local shooting range, an outdoor facility with distances out to 300 yards. I used my custom-built AR-10 chambered in .308, equipped with a 20-inch barrel and a 4-16x scope. The weather was mild, with a slight breeze, providing decent conditions for testing.
The ammunition fed reliably, with no failures to feed or eject. The recoil was manageable and felt similar to other .308 loads I’ve used. I immediately noticed a slight variance in the sound of each shot, hinting at some inconsistencies in powder charge.
After my initial shots, I noticed the groupings were larger than what I’m accustomed to with match-grade ammo, but well within acceptable hunting standards. I was getting around 1.5-2 MOA at 100 yards. There were no alarming pressure signs on the casings.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of regular use, I’ve put approximately 200 rounds of the Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off through my rifle. I’ve experienced consistent performance overall, with no malfunctions related to the ammunition itself. This gives me great confidence.
I tested the ammunition in varying weather conditions, including a particularly dusty day and a light drizzle. The ammunition performed reliably even under these less-than-ideal circumstances. After prolonged exposure to moisture, the rounds still cycled flawlessly.
Maintenance was straightforward. The brass casings ejected cleanly, leaving minimal residue in the action. Compared to my previous experience with bargain-bin ammunition, cleaning my rifle after using the Remington rounds was noticeably easier.
Compared to the match-grade Federal, the Remington doesn’t deliver the same level of precision. However, it surpasses the cheap surplus ammo in both accuracy and consistency, and it functions very well as a dual-purpose round for target practice and medium-sized game hunting.
Breaking Down the Features of Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off
Specifications
The Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off boasts several key specifications:
- Caliber: .308 Winchester: The ubiquitous and versatile .308 cartridge.
- Bullet Weight: 172 grain: A mid-weight bullet offering a good balance of trajectory and energy.
- Bullet Type: Polymer Tipped Boat Tail (PTBT): Enhances ballistic coefficient for flatter trajectory and improves expansion upon impact.
- Muzzle Velocity: 2635 ft/s: Sufficient velocity for effective performance at reasonable hunting ranges.
- Muzzle Energy: 2651 ft-lbs: Adequate energy for taking down medium-sized game.
- Primer Style: Centerfire: Standard for modern rifle ammunition.
- G1 Ballistic Coefficient: 0.522: A decent ballistic coefficient contributes to a flatter trajectory and reduced wind drift.
- G7 Ballistic Coefficient: 0.265: Provides a more accurate representation of bullet performance at transonic and subsonic speeds.
- Number of Rounds: 20: A standard box size for rifle ammunition.
These specifications are essential for understanding the capabilities of the ammunition. The polymer tip promotes rapid expansion, while the boat tail design enhances stability and reduces drag. This translates to improved accuracy and terminal performance at typical hunting distances.
Performance & Functionality
The Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off performs admirably for its intended purpose. While not match-grade, it delivers acceptable accuracy for both target practice and hunting scenarios. The polymer-tipped bullet expands reliably upon impact, transferring energy effectively.
The primary strength lies in its versatility. It’s accurate enough for consistent hits on targets out to 300 yards and possesses sufficient terminal energy for ethical kills on deer-sized game. The weakness is that it’s not the most accurate nor the most devastating .308 round available.
The ammunition meets expectations for an all-around .308 load. It offers a good compromise between accuracy, terminal performance, and price, making it a viable option for shooters seeking a single solution for multiple applications.
Design & Ergonomics
The ammunition itself adheres to standard .308 Winchester dimensions and cartridge design. The polymer tip is well-formed and consistently shaped, which is essential for reliable ballistic performance. The brass casing is clean and shows no signs of manufacturing defects.
The ammunition is user-friendly. The cartridges load smoothly into magazines and chamber effortlessly in my rifle. There is no learning curve involved.
Durability & Maintenance
The brass casings are durable and reloadable, which is a significant advantage for reloaders. The ammunition is designed to withstand typical storage conditions, ensuring a long shelf life.
Maintenance primarily involves proper storage to prevent corrosion. Cleaning the rifle after use is no different than with any other centerfire ammunition.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off doesn’t come with any specific accessories, but its performance can be enhanced through various rifle modifications. These rifle modifications include:
- Upgrading the rifle’s optic: This can improve the shooter’s ability to maximize the ammunition’s inherent accuracy.
- Installing a match-grade trigger: This can enhance precision and consistency.
- Using a quality suppressor: This can reduce recoil and muzzle flash.
The ammunition is compatible with any .308 Winchester rifle built to SAAMI specifications. It also works with various magazines and aftermarket accessories designed for the .308 platform.
Pros and Cons of Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off
Pros
- Versatile: Suitable for both target practice and hunting medium-sized game.
- Reliable Expansion: Polymer tip ensures consistent and effective energy transfer.
- Decent Accuracy: Provides groupings acceptable for most hunting scenarios.
- Reloadable Brass: Offers cost savings and customization options for reloaders.
- Affordable: Priced competitively compared to premium hunting ammunition.
Cons
- Not Match-Grade Accuracy: Not ideal for precision target shooting or competitive events.
- Slight Inconsistencies: Some variance in muzzle velocity and powder charge may be present.
Who Should Buy Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off?
The Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off is perfect for hunters who want a reliable and accurate round for deer-sized game within 300 yards. It is also well suited for recreational shooters seeking an affordable and versatile option for target practice and general range use. Anyone who wants a single do-it-all ammunition choice for their .308 rifle can use this.
This ammunition is not ideal for competitive shooters or those demanding match-grade accuracy. It’s also not the best choice for hunting larger or tougher game species that require specialized ammunition. If long-range precision is the primary goal, other match-grade options are preferable.
A must-have is a quality scope with accurate and repeatable adjustments to dial in the ammunition at different distances. An accurate rangefinder is also essential for ethical hunting.
Conclusion on Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off
The Remington 308 Win 172 Grain Impact Centerfire Rifle Ammunition R21345 $2.60 Off offers a solid and versatile option for .308 rifle owners. It strikes a good balance between accuracy, terminal performance, and affordability, making it suitable for a range of applications.
The price is justified given its versatility and reliable performance. While it might not excel in any single category, it delivers consistent and dependable results, making it a worthwhile investment for shooters who want a single do-it-all .308 ammunition choice.
I would personally recommend this ammunition to hunters and recreational shooters looking for a versatile and reliable option. It is a solid performer. Give it a try, and see if it performs as well for you as it did for me!