M118LR .308 round mil specs

[thedrifter]

I have the current information on M118LR and MK316. The full Technical Order. If I remember I’ll share those tonight when I’m at the computer. My memory is that M118LR is ~43 Gr. of RL15. The length is 2.830” but I set them back to 2.760” OAL for the Bisley match chamber.

performance wise:
I shoot M118LR from a 32” Palma rifle, I see a velocity of 2785 fps, and it shoots great.

~Cameron

 

[thedrifter]

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.

Just to help clarify, M118LR and Federal GMM are different. My understanding is that the 7.62 GMM is closer to MK316 (an improved version of M118LR). The only way to confirm this would be a phone call to Federal.

 

[DGP4]

FWIW, the accuracy load for the 175 gr. SMK set forth in the Sierra loading manual (5th ed.) is 39.5 grains of Viht N540 at 2400 fps. This out of a Savage 12VSS with a 1:10 26 inch barrel.

 

[6bra1k]

FWIW, the accuracy load for the 175 gr. SMK set forth in the Sierra loading manual (5th ed.) is 39.5 grains of Viht N540 at 2400 fps. This out of a Savage 12VSS with a 1:10 26 inch barrel.

not even in the running of an m118lr early load

 

[drop_point]

Just to help clarify, M118LR and Federal GMM are different. My understanding is that the 7.62 GMM is closer to MK316 (an improved version of M118LR). The only way to confirm this would be a phone call to Federal.

As I understand it, when Federal was running Lake City, both shared the same 175 gr Sierra MatchKing, Federal 210M primer, and at least for a period, 4064 powder.

M118LR had sealed primers and obviously Lake City brass with, I believe crimped primer pockets.

Different brass, different charge weights, different pressures. But same bullet at the same speed.

 

[6bra1k]

As I understand it, when Federal was running Lake City, both shared the same 175 gr Sierra MatchKing, Federal 210M primer, and at least for a period, 4064 powder.

M118LR had sealed primers and obviously Lake City brass with, I believe crimped primer pockets.

Different brass, different charge weights, different pressures. But same bullet at the same speed.

wrong 4964 was used is used on m316 mod 0 or 1....but NEVER ON m118lr
and not the same speed

 

[thedrifter]

M118LR had sealed primers and obviously Lake City brass with, I believe crimped primer pockets.

Sealer yes, it’s red in color that I notice usually. However; I can confirm that lots from 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2018 of M118LR, do not have crimped primer pocket. Some of the other 7.62 rounds are.

 

[drop_point]

wrong 4964 was used is used on m316 mod 0 or 1....but NEVER ON m118lr
and not the same speed

You know that 4064 (I assume that you meant that) was NEVER used? What is your source? I've found variations of M118 that used RL15, 4895, and even WC750 as well as 4064.


And not the same speed?

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2600 fps.

7.62 x 51mm NATO / 175gr / Sierra MatchKing BTHP Service Grade® / M118 Long Range / 20 Rds / Winchester

Texas Ammunition sells handgun and rifle ammunition at low prices across the United States. Winchester offers a 7.62 x 51mm NATO 175 grain bullet for law enforcement and military.

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2620 fps.

Sniper Ammunition Load Data, 30 caliber family

American military snipers have used all sorts of ammunition over the years. In WWII the 30-06 loads available seemed to do the job, but most often were just accurate lots of standard ball or armor …

wanderingthroughthenight.wordpress.com

2640fps +/1 15fps.

Maybe the confusion is that M316 is a variant of M118 and assumed the M118 name by tacking the variant onto the end, technically called: "M118 Special Ball Long Range Mk316 Mod 0" according to Mel Ewing of sniperforums.com, hence the distinction of "old" vs "new" M118LR, but you're right to make the distinction as I believe Winchester is still producing the original M118LR load at Lake City while Federal produces the "M118 Special Ball Long Range Mk316 Mod 0" load. It is said the GMM 7.62x51 is actually OVERRUN ammo.

 

[drop_point]

Sealer yes, it’s red in color that I notice usually. However; I can confirm that lots from 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2018 of M118LR, do not have crimped primer pocket. Some of the other 7.62 rounds are.

You're right. I haven't shot any of it in about a decade, but I'm sure they are probably press-fit.

 

[rijndael]

You know that 4064 (I assume that you meant that) was NEVER used? What is your source?

Isn’t that covered in post 6?

 

[wwbrown]

I think of the M118LR loading in terms of its performance since the recipe to achieve that has changed over time, 175 Sierra Match King with a muzzle velocity of 2,650 fps from a 26 inch barrel. I usually start with 43 grains of varget under the 175 SMK in M118LR to mimic the round.

 

[Timberyote]

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

It is and it was well documented back in the day!

 

[6bra1k]

You know that 4064 (I assume that you meant that) was NEVER used? What is your source? I've found variations of M118 that used RL15, 4895, and even WC750 as well as 4064.


And not the same speed?

Buy Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing for USD 57.99 | Federal Ammunition

Shopping for the Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing - Learn more about the latest Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.

www.federalpremium.com

2600 fps.

7.62 x 51mm NATO / 175gr / Sierra MatchKing BTHP Service Grade® / M118 Long Range / 20 Rds / Winchester

Texas Ammunition sells handgun and rifle ammunition at low prices across the United States. Winchester offers a 7.62 x 51mm NATO 175 grain bullet for law enforcement and military.

www.texasammunition.com

2620 fps.

Sniper Ammunition Load Data, 30 caliber family

American military snipers have used all sorts of ammunition over the years. In WWII the 30-06 loads available seemed to do the job, but most often were just accurate lots of standard ball or armor …

wanderingthroughthenight.wordpress.com

2640fps +/1 15fps.

Maybe the confusion is that M316 is a variant of M118 and assumed the M118 name by tacking the variant onto the end, technically called: "M118 Special Ball Long Range Mk316 Mod 0" according to Mel Ewing of sniperforums.com, hence the distinction of "old" vs "new" M118LR, but you're right to make the distinction as I believe Winchester is still producing the original M118LR load at Lake City while Federal produces the "M118 Special Ball Long Range Mk316 Mod 0" load. It is said the GMM 7.62x51 is actually OVERRUN ammo.

you have a hard time with facts but like "implying" things
again the subject is M118LR period...
not gm175, not m118, not 316
4064 never used, 750 and rl15 pretty well documented.

 

[drop_point]

Isn’t that covered in post 6?

No.

 

[drop_point]

you have a hard time with facts but like "implying" things
again the subject is M118LR period...
not gm175, not m118, not 316
4064 never used, 750 and rl15 pretty well documented.

Easy on the hostility button there, scooter.

 

[tjtjwdad]

Interesting thread. Since I too have some experience with M852 and the M118 LR late 90's vintage I thought I share my findings. I too am a Distinguished Marksman (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard), a Presidents Hundred Awardee and a NRA High Master Rifle classification with a M14 service rifle. I don't say that to blow my trumpet but to provide some credentials to my experiences to the topic at hand only;

M852: I've shot LOTS from 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93,94, 96. Across all of those years the powder charge varied from 43.2 to 45.5 grains. It was reported to me as being IMR-4895 but I have no actual proof that it was but it sure looked like it. All the cases were knurled near the base, they were marked MATCH [and year], they all had a 168 HPBT bullet that was reported to be a Sierra Match-King but I know Hornady was also making them at the time also and I believe Speer was too but I cannot be certain. The primers were brass and sealed with a red sealer. They were all very consistent and repeatable across the various LOTS. The powder charge could vary between the different LOTS within the same year-stamp. Our duplicate loads were a LC case, 41.5 - 42.0 grains of IMR-4895 or the same charge with AA-2520 of that era and a Winchester LR nickel coated primer. Velocity, contact point were identical.

M118LR. I have very limited experience with this ammunition but I was provided some in the 1998 & 1999 time frame. The first was a White Box perhaps experimental ammunition and it had WCC95 cases, the powder charge was 44 grains and it was a ball powder. The LOT ID was WCC95G002-001.

The other lot I was able to try was in brown boxes and the LOT # was LC-98H173-008. It was a LC case that had M118 LR and year [98] as the head stamp and it too had ball powder and the charge was 43.3 grains. The primer pockets are not crimped.

Both LOTS shot on par with each other but I never tried them in a M14/M1 but I but I did in a bolt rifle. It shot OK but nothing like my hand loads are capable of.

I've also shot M118 Special Ball primarily LOTS from 1982 onward. I have an article around here somewhere that talks about M852 and M118 Special Ball. I'd have to dig it up but it seems that once M852 [1982 I believe] became the target load all the QA went into that round and was taken away from M118 that included case, primer and bullet consistency. Prior to that M118 was the match round with the 173gr match bullet from the 30-06 era.

 

[rijndael]

I have an article around here somewhere that talks about M852 and M118 Special Ball.

This seems pretty detailed: https://www.snipercentral.com/history-m118-ammunition/