Have you ever seen match-grade rifle ammo on the shelves at a gun shop? Something like Federal’s Gold Medal Match ammo, made with Sierra MatchKing bullets?
This ammo is, among other things, very expensive, especially compared to the standard FMJ ammo with which most rifle shooters train. Some even shoot at extended distances with it.
This begs the reasonable question, is match-grade rifle ammo, specifically OTM, or open-tip match ammo like Federal Gold Medal Match, worth the extra price?
It definitely can be, given just a few considerations. Here’s what to know.
What Makes OTM Ammo Superior?
OTM ammo according to significantly different procedural protocols than full-metal jacket ammo. This changes the nature of the resulting bullets considerably.
OTM, or open-tip match ammo, like FMJ ammo, has a lead core. However, with OTM ammo, the bullet’s jacket is drawn up from the base of the core and then pinched off at the nose.
This leaves a little hollow in the nose of the bullet. As a result, OTM ammo is sometimes referred to as hollow point.
However, hollow point ammo is designed for consistent expansion. OTM ammo is not.
Instead, OTM ammo is designed for superior radial symmetry. What this means, in layman’s terms, is that OTM ammo has a jacket that has fewer aberrations around the edges.
This results in greater balance, which means that when the bullet spins, which is absolutely vital to pinpoint accuracy, there are no spots around the edges of the jacket that are heavier than others.
In a nutshell, it means that it is easier to spin-stabilize OTM ammo, which in turn, means that it is inherently more accurate than FMJ ammo.
At ranges beyond, let’s say, 300 yards, OTM ammo is considerably more consistent and therefore accurate than other alternatives like FMJ ammo.
However, there are a few caveats. One is that it should be reserved only for shooting at extended ranges – not close, or intermediate. At these ranges its performance will not be distinguishable from FMJ, and the higher price will not be worth it.
Another is that you should not conflate its accuracy at great distances with suitability for hunting at those ranges. It is better at connecting with a target, but without a soft or ballistic tip, it’s not effective at making an ethical dispatch.
The bullet is designed just to hit a target, after that, it’s not much use. These bullets are not designed for expansion, so they won’t ethically dispatch game. You’ll still want to stick with appropriate game rounds for that.
Where to Get Federal Gold Medal Match Online
Given the fact that the price of OTM ammo like Federal Gold Medal Match is justified within the scope of its intended application, you might be here looking for where you can get it online.
The first place you should check is Bucking Horse Outpost. They carry match-grade ammo and plenty of FMJ that you can use for high-volume target shooting and training as well.
