M118LR .308 round mil specs
- Thread starter wboggs
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Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
Now I see why it is so confusing. We will taylor a load for the bolt rifle.
Very similar. Years ago before better bullets came out. I loaded 42.5g 4064 in a Win case.
My US Military Ammunition data 5.56 to 20 mm.
Says
Pressure 50,000 psi, max ave.
CARTRIDGE, 7.62 MM MATCH M118
Case 190-20 gr
Bullet 175.5 - 3 gr
WC 846
Double Base Sperical
44 grs.
IMR 4895
Single Base Tublar
42 gr.
Special head stamp Match- or NM stamped on the case for National Matches
2550 + - 30 FPS AT 78 feet
There is no difference in tolerance between Match cases and regular use military cases...all have the exact military requirements according to this document.... the Match stamp is for "use" designation. Page 502 chapter 12, in Cartridges of the World...the 168 HP Bt uses the same IMR 4895 42 gr only for the same speed M852 for the M14 national match with NM stamp on case.
Says
Pressure 50,000 psi, max ave.
CARTRIDGE, 7.62 MM MATCH M118
Case 190-20 gr
Bullet 175.5 - 3 gr
WC 846
Double Base Sperical
44 grs.
IMR 4895
Single Base Tublar
42 gr.
Special head stamp Match- or NM stamped on the case for National Matches
2550 + - 30 FPS AT 78 feet
There is no difference in tolerance between Match cases and regular use military cases...all have the exact military requirements according to this document.... the Match stamp is for "use" designation. Page 502 chapter 12, in Cartridges of the World...the 168 HP Bt uses the same IMR 4895 42 gr only for the same speed M852 for the M14 national match with NM stamp on case.
I actually tried the imr 4895 LC 175 MK load, with the last of that powder I had awhile back...I remember it being pretty accurate in my rifles, not a super standout... but no dog....needed a little more imr4895...
The original M118LR load was posted on Alliant's web site when they first supplied the powder for the round, I did copy it and still have it. It also stated that RL15 was not temperature sensitive, which was found to be untrue in Iraq. Op rods were bending/breaking when fired in the M14's.
I have loaded the round using the original load and, while very accurate, was toasty in a bolt gun.
The original velocity was 2700fps and my load came out at 2699fps. That was in April and the same load, same batch was tested in August and the velocity came out at 2755fps. IIRC the temp was about mid 80's.
I have loaded the round using the original load and, while very accurate, was toasty in a bolt gun.
The original velocity was 2700fps and my load came out at 2699fps. That was in April and the same load, same batch was tested in August and the velocity came out at 2755fps. IIRC the temp was about mid 80's.
yesh but he was asking about m118LR......NOT MATCH
again not true....developed as a BOLT GUN ROUND and was mis-used in gas guns, ar10/25s did not care but op rods bent in m14's in usa heat in the summer. first change to the load. the the "new" load bent rods in the desert over there, so changed again. by then it was essentially the same speed as the 168. a joke of its original self
Yep it's old data they changed head stamp from "match" to "LR" and probably the load ...all I saw was m118 LR 175 gr OTM 2600 fps specified on the box...I have no arsenal specs for the newer round.
I don't shoot 25s...but I do shoot the same max loads in my AR 10, as a bolt gun...no piston, no operating rod...just an adjustable gas block, close 7 clicks on SA gas block and 18" AR 10 175 SMK 2665 ave fps, or 168 Berger 2787 ave, 150 gr gold dot 2822 ave...or the monster load 200 gr SMK closed nose .715 BC at 2620 fps, 225 eldm 2477 fps ... the last 2 are single load COAL is too long for mag...so they may be useless for your application. But an AR 10 with a dual ejector high pressure, .065 firing pin does a good job. Same as my 6.5 Creedmoors shoot the same load in the bolt gun as the AR 10...thousands of rds, on my second AR 10 308 barrel, same bolt. Light to heavy bullets 110 through 230 ...light to max pressures...even subsonic that do not operate the bolt. And the AR 10 can be accurate, with what it likes, with cheap components, as I am experimenting with on the new barrel ordered a thousand LC Brass. Already experienced 5 shot 100 yd. groups in the. 3" and .4" with junk LC brass...but each barrel has a preference.
not even close i do others do it aint hard too find, try staying on topic...m118lr
I was on topic, m118 lr ...seems the data have changed several times...I don't have the military specs on the new ammunition...just the old specs with Match, not LR, as stated...others have more recent data with imr 4064, and rl-15 ...but you say that's not right either.
If you know the exact recipe of the newest military contract for m118 lr, ...why not share? It's easy to find? Apparently not...Just put out the information, so we can all see it...Maybe even load it up and see if our guns like it.
If you know the exact recipe of the newest military contract for m118 lr, ...why not share? It's easy to find? Apparently not...Just put out the information, so we can all see it...Maybe even load it up and see if our guns like it.
drop_point
Silver $$ Contributor
The specs have changed time and time again for M118LR. It was originally RL15, then 4064, and 4895. Key point: Federal no longer runs Lake City ammunition plant and it very likely the current operators, Winchester, may be using a different load altogether.
I shot some of the original through a 20" Remington 700 back in the days of RL15. On hot days, it wasn't really safe in my gun. Terribly stiff bolt, primer catering, and honestly poor accuracy. I never shot any of the other stuff, but from what I read, it was nearly the same load as Federal Gold Medal Match 7.62x51. The Gold Medal Match load is a fair load with good consistency lot to lot.
I shot some of the original through a 20" Remington 700 back in the days of RL15. On hot days, it wasn't really safe in my gun. Terribly stiff bolt, primer catering, and honestly poor accuracy. I never shot any of the other stuff, but from what I read, it was nearly the same load as Federal Gold Medal Match 7.62x51. The Gold Medal Match load is a fair load with good consistency lot to lot.
drop_point
Silver $$ Contributor
There is lot to lot variation due to no lots of components being exactly the same. Ballistic engineers test when new lots of powder/primers/bullets come. Powder charges vary every time because the powder does. There is a target velocity and pressure it should achieve.
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
Old M1 A Builder and Comp. Shooter .
In the hay day Chasing Leg Points very on wanted there Rifle to Shoot as if 168 Gr. Match Ammo was in it .
The NRA did a Test way way back them .
Bottom Line of Test to equal 168 Match Ammo
LC or IMR Brass , CCI 250 Primer , 168 GR Sierra Match King , IMR 4895 40.5 -41 grs.
Most barrels where 1-10 or Obermeyer 1-11.5 .
Uncle had a Lot of Barrel Barn Barrels ( Douglass ) 1-12 that shot great.
The Newer LC is mostly Bolt Guns or MG .
I got to play with LC Sniper Stuff a few years back , low Flash . No Flash , Out of a M-24 .
Interesting .
In the hay day Chasing Leg Points very on wanted there Rifle to Shoot as if 168 Gr. Match Ammo was in it .
The NRA did a Test way way back them .
Bottom Line of Test to equal 168 Match Ammo
LC or IMR Brass , CCI 250 Primer , 168 GR Sierra Match King , IMR 4895 40.5 -41 grs.
Most barrels where 1-10 or Obermeyer 1-11.5 .
Uncle had a Lot of Barrel Barn Barrels ( Douglass ) 1-12 that shot great.
The Newer LC is mostly Bolt Guns or MG .
I got to play with LC Sniper Stuff a few years back , low Flash . No Flash , Out of a M-24 .
Interesting .
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