Years ago, when Fiocchi decided to enter the rifled sporting cartridge market, it conducted a survey of various calibers, then focused its production on a suitably narrow range, wisely expanding its offering to include different versions for the most popular cartridges. Prominently featured on the list is the .308 Win., one of the crown jewels of hunting and target shooting, derived from the 7,62 NATO and intended to replace, at least in theory, the established .30-06 Sprg.
The shortening of the case to 51 mm proved optimal for a load that wasn't overpowered, capable of providing what was needed specifically for military purposes—even too much, if we're being honest—and which then proved exceptionally accurate in precision shooting. Alongside these performances at the range, hunting performances were also notable, where only familiarity and the vast array of original loads keep the veteran .30-06 Sprg. in vogue. Especially in rifled semi-automatics, the most recent cartridge, created about half a century later, performs its task even more effectively.
Among Fiocchi's themed offerings, the Exacta series stands out , a compendium of the wisdom and experience that the Lecco-based company has developed over a century and a half of existence, always at the top of the industry. We've had the opportunity to test cartridges from this premium line in various calibers, appreciating their accuracy down to the last detail, because a mistake with a 9 instead of a 10 can relegate a shooter far from the top of the rankings.
The .308 Win. Exacta
Let's first examine the packaging: a box of 20 cartridges made of rigid cardboard with a beige camouflage background and two shades of green, which immediately suggests something highly operational, both functional and precise. In addition to the wording " Fiocchi" with the GFL logo in the shield (both are always beautiful), the word "Exacta" is clearly visible, with dimensional effects in the letters of this word; below it is the specification of the caliber, .308 Winchester, while on the right are the bullet characteristics very clearly legible.
Starting with the Hollow Point boattail bullet and its 168-grain weight, Fiocchi's truly thoughtful choice in using the Sierra Match King bullet is clearly evident . It's one of the best options on the market, and is also offered at a reasonable price, helping to keep the finished cartridge price within reasonable limits for all budgets. This advantage has prompted many shooters, who aren't used to shooting an exorbitant number of loads each year, to put aside the option of reloading and rely on this product for the results they're sure to achieve.
The back of the box features safety instructions printed in a myriad of languages: you can never have too many for the intended purpose. The bottom features a double text in Italian and English: "20 central fire cartridges" and a warning that the product contains lead styphnate, inviting you to visit the company website www.fiocchi.com for any further information. The sides also feature the double text "Rifle Line" along with the caliber and bullet specifications.
Continuing the examination and then opening the package, the one-piece plastic hive is extracted from which it is easy and convenient to remove the cartridges: nothing more unpleasant, for shooting range, than a container on which to have to tinker to extract every single charge . As you can see, even the smallest details are laudably thought of in the company.
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The cartridges
The visual examination is completely satisfactory: even the cartridges, carefully arranged in their chambers, demonstrate the attention to detail in the manufacturing of the cases, with carefully crafted bases in the primer seats and a perfectly even seating; the extractor groove is equally flawless. The body and shoulder demonstrate excellent calibration of the manufacturing machines and the use of quality brass, which is annealed at the neck, as is the proper crimping of the bullet. The choice of a 168g bullet weight allows for use with various twist rates, even the rather fast 12:1" ones. The live fire test shows very low recoil, a factor that favors the shooter's concentration and, over long series, reduces fatigue. Cartridges with a predetermined 10 aren't available yet, and we hope they never will be, but these Fiocchi Exactas enable the shooter to achieve the best results with minimal effort, both technical and financial.
