I posted this on the M14 forum but wanted to post this here as well for anyone who can contribute.
So as I sit here over-analyzing variables that contribute to accuracy or lack thereof (something I un-nececessarily do a lot of), I spent a lot of time thinking about the different types of chambers that are available to the M14/M1A owner/builder. (bolt-gun guys can chime in too)
The intended purpose of this thread is the help people understand what ammo they should buy or load to get satisfactory results out of their rifles and which ammo or loads to avoid considering their chamber. This information can also help them decide what chamber they should use for their custom M14 or 308 build considering their specific intended use of the rifle.
I thought it might be helpful to list the common chamber types available for our rifles and give a summary of what specific purpose chamber was designed for. Also list what bullet weights work well with specific chambers. I don't think there's a need to get into the mind-boggling discussions of throat dimensions and freebore, but the data could still be useful to some people.
It's common for new rifle owners to know nothing about chamber options. Most people think that the rifle is simply chambered in 308, and know nothing of the other chamber options available.
So I guess I'll list the common types of chambers, but what I'd need help with are filling in the blanks below that would help someone pick the right chamber for them. Please provide links, if you can, to commentaries or articles that highlight information for the specific chambers listed. I'm excluding the Palma chambers, but if you think they should be listed, I can add them.
.308 Winchester
Intended use: General purpose/hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber: 125gr through 168gr bullets
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
7.62 NATO
Intended use: General purpose/hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber:
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:Looser tolerances and headspace which reduce chamber pressure and allow the rifle to safely shoot a wide range of military and commercial ammunition.
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:Looser chamber dimensions allow for more case stretch which reduces brass life for hand-loaders.
Additional info/commentary:
308 Match
Intended use:
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber:
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Additional info/commentary:
M852 Chamber
Intended use: General purpose/Hunting/Match Shooting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber: 168gr SMK
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
M118LR Chamber
Intended use: Long Rage Military/Match Shooting/Hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber: 175gr SMK
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
Obermeyer Chamber
Intended use: Long Range/Match Shooting/Hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber:
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
Jon Wolfe Chamber
Intended use: Long Range/Match Shooting/Hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber: 168gr SMK/175gr SMK
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
Please add your knowledge! What's your favorite 308 chamber reamer, and why?
Tony.
So as I sit here over-analyzing variables that contribute to accuracy or lack thereof (something I un-nececessarily do a lot of), I spent a lot of time thinking about the different types of chambers that are available to the M14/M1A owner/builder. (bolt-gun guys can chime in too)
The intended purpose of this thread is the help people understand what ammo they should buy or load to get satisfactory results out of their rifles and which ammo or loads to avoid considering their chamber. This information can also help them decide what chamber they should use for their custom M14 or 308 build considering their specific intended use of the rifle.
I thought it might be helpful to list the common chamber types available for our rifles and give a summary of what specific purpose chamber was designed for. Also list what bullet weights work well with specific chambers. I don't think there's a need to get into the mind-boggling discussions of throat dimensions and freebore, but the data could still be useful to some people.
It's common for new rifle owners to know nothing about chamber options. Most people think that the rifle is simply chambered in 308, and know nothing of the other chamber options available.
So I guess I'll list the common types of chambers, but what I'd need help with are filling in the blanks below that would help someone pick the right chamber for them. Please provide links, if you can, to commentaries or articles that highlight information for the specific chambers listed. I'm excluding the Palma chambers, but if you think they should be listed, I can add them.
.308 Winchester
Intended use: General purpose/hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber: 125gr through 168gr bullets
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
7.62 NATO
Intended use: General purpose/hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber:
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:Looser tolerances and headspace which reduce chamber pressure and allow the rifle to safely shoot a wide range of military and commercial ammunition.
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:Looser chamber dimensions allow for more case stretch which reduces brass life for hand-loaders.
Additional info/commentary:
308 Match
Intended use:
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber:
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Additional info/commentary:
M852 Chamber
Intended use: General purpose/Hunting/Match Shooting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber: 168gr SMK
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
M118LR Chamber
Intended use: Long Rage Military/Match Shooting/Hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber: 175gr SMK
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
Obermeyer Chamber
Intended use: Long Range/Match Shooting/Hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber:
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
Jon Wolfe Chamber
Intended use: Long Range/Match Shooting/Hunting
Bullet weights that work well with this chamber: 168gr SMK/175gr SMK
Bullet weights that don't work well with this chamber:
Benefits/Advantages:
Draw-Backs/Disadvantages:
Additional info/commentary:
Please add your knowledge! What's your favorite 308 chamber reamer, and why?
Tony.
