308 load help
- Thread starter dragman
- Start date
XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
I don't think you can load it as hot as you can a bolt gun. An M1A is basically just a smaller version of the M1 action and the op rod is the weak link. I know if you put too much bang on one in an M1 they bend.
I'm betting there is some reloading data on here somewhere.
I'm betting there is some reloading data on here somewhere.
168s will work, 175/178s work better. You could goto http://www.usrifleteams.com/
and ask there for a "pet" load or check on some of the bullet/powder sites for what they suggest. I remember 30 something years ago using IMR4064 & IMR 4895 for my loads but that was about the last time I shot a semi-auto rifle in competition & I have no idea where the records are. That was several moves & a different life time !!! All I shoot now in 308 is bolt action AND I use 178s all the way to 1,000 yds.
and ask there for a "pet" load or check on some of the bullet/powder sites for what they suggest. I remember 30 something years ago using IMR4064 & IMR 4895 for my loads but that was about the last time I shot a semi-auto rifle in competition & I have no idea where the records are. That was several moves & a different life time !!! All I shoot now in 308 is bolt action AND I use 178s all the way to 1,000 yds.
Dragman,
There's really no such thing as "working up a load" for an M1A. They used to dominate the highpower game, and trust me, they've been about as wrung out as a system can get. Couple of things here; 1) they're not as problematic as the M1 was concerning the op rod. With an M1, you could very easily damage the op rod, even with loads that were well under max pressure. The problem was powder burn rate, these guns need to use something in the 4895-4064 range, nothing slower. Ditto for the M1A, but they are a bit more forgiving. Still, stick with 4895 and you can't go wrong. 2) Brass. LC Match is some of the best you can get for this gun, simply because that's what it was made for. Heavy, tough and able to withstand the violent extraction common to these rifles. Full length size every time, without exception, ever, for any reason. Small base dies won't hurt a thing here, and will aid in extraction as well as chambering. Don't be afraid to try them. 3) Don't try to get too much mileage out of you brass, it isn't worth it. M1A's (or M1's, for that matter) are good for about three (3) firings. Toss the brass after that, regardless of what it looks like. 4) Be careful about which primers you use, and remember that these rifles have a floating firing pin. This means slam fires, if you go with too soft a primer, or fail to seat them properly and at full depth. Trust me, you don't want to go there. 5) No bullets over 175 grains. The rifle was made to operate with bullets of 150 to 175 grains (more or less), and that's where they're happiest. LC Match, either the old M72 (.30-06 for the M1), M118, and new M118LR all used 172-175 grain bullets. Standard Ball ammo (again, in both calibers) was 147-152 grains. Feed them what they like, but keep it within those parameters. And 6), the "magic" load for the M1A/M14 was about 41 grains of 4895 under a 168 HPBT. Wander up and down the line at Perry (back when the M1As ruled the line) and I'll guarantee you that 98% of the competitors were using that load across the course. Good for about 2,600 fps and if it didn't shoot in your rifle, you had a serious gun problem, simple as that.
Hope that helps!
There's really no such thing as "working up a load" for an M1A. They used to dominate the highpower game, and trust me, they've been about as wrung out as a system can get. Couple of things here; 1) they're not as problematic as the M1 was concerning the op rod. With an M1, you could very easily damage the op rod, even with loads that were well under max pressure. The problem was powder burn rate, these guns need to use something in the 4895-4064 range, nothing slower. Ditto for the M1A, but they are a bit more forgiving. Still, stick with 4895 and you can't go wrong. 2) Brass. LC Match is some of the best you can get for this gun, simply because that's what it was made for. Heavy, tough and able to withstand the violent extraction common to these rifles. Full length size every time, without exception, ever, for any reason. Small base dies won't hurt a thing here, and will aid in extraction as well as chambering. Don't be afraid to try them. 3) Don't try to get too much mileage out of you brass, it isn't worth it. M1A's (or M1's, for that matter) are good for about three (3) firings. Toss the brass after that, regardless of what it looks like. 4) Be careful about which primers you use, and remember that these rifles have a floating firing pin. This means slam fires, if you go with too soft a primer, or fail to seat them properly and at full depth. Trust me, you don't want to go there. 5) No bullets over 175 grains. The rifle was made to operate with bullets of 150 to 175 grains (more or less), and that's where they're happiest. LC Match, either the old M72 (.30-06 for the M1), M118, and new M118LR all used 172-175 grain bullets. Standard Ball ammo (again, in both calibers) was 147-152 grains. Feed them what they like, but keep it within those parameters. And 6), the "magic" load for the M1A/M14 was about 41 grains of 4895 under a 168 HPBT. Wander up and down the line at Perry (back when the M1As ruled the line) and I'll guarantee you that 98% of the competitors were using that load across the course. Good for about 2,600 fps and if it didn't shoot in your rifle, you had a serious gun problem, simple as that.
Hope that helps!
The M1-A with the 168's will work up to 600 yrds. The 168's were designed for 300 Meter matches. Shooting further go with the 175's. With the 175's I would use IMR 4064. With 4064 start at 42.0 and work up. Remember the M1-A has a shorter barrel and is usually a 1-10 twist. If you are loading single rounds load them longer .010 to .015 off the lands. They make a Gas Plug that is vented and CMP approved. Which helps bled off excess gas pressure. Try Creedmoor, they have them. Your rifle my not shoot the 175's well because the twist rate for 175's is 1-12.
Your rifle may love them. The first thing with an M1-A is having it glass bedded in the stock. Good luck. Larry
Your rifle may love them. The first thing with an M1-A is having it glass bedded in the stock. Good luck. Larry
Mr. Thomas is on the money with 41g 4895. I use 41.5 with both 168 and 175. I shoot 168 from 200 to 300 and the 175 at 600. The 175 shoots very well out of my NM M1A. I suggest getting a primer pocket cutter and use it each time you load the brass. This will keep those primers below flush and avoid slam fire. Have fun with the "Big Gun." The guys in my club pull them out a couple of times a year and we still shoot ATC with them. Mike
Hornady and Sierra loading manuals have suggested loads for M1As. The selected range of bullets are 150gr up to 180gr. The powder selection is somewhat limited to medium burning. 4895, 4064, or Varget are in the range for the rifle. Keep in mind these rifles are "gas guns" and if you venture outside suggested loads there is a good chance you will bend the op rod. It is close to impossible to get an accurate 1000yd weapon out of an M1A.
I have two of them....while they are a blast to shoot, I use a bolt gun for long range.
Hoosier
I have two of them....while they are a blast to shoot, I use a bolt gun for long range.
Hoosier
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