7.62 mm M118LR load data

glockmatt

I know that there is subtle differences with 7.62 NATO and .308. I want to try to reload a close load to the military M118LR or the commerical equivalent Black Hills 175 gr and Federal Gold 175 gr with Sierra Match Kings.
Planned recipe:
Bullet: Sierra Matchking 175 gr.
Case: carefully resized and burrs trimmed
No case crimp
? full length vs. neck resizing
Powder: ?
Primer: ?
Any help is appreciated.
Matt

Pearyw

What rifle are you loading for? I usually load my 308 rounds to work in all of my rifles, M1A, PSS Remington 700, FAL's. I load to 7.62x51 levels. I usually use IMR4895, CCI BR-2 primers, Black Hills Match Brass. I load 40.5 gr with a 168 gr Sierra match bullet. With a 175 gr, I use 40 gr of IMR 4895. I full length size so that I know they will work in any of my rifles. If I was just using one bolt action rifle, I would neck size brass after firing it in that rifle. I trim to the same dimension after each firing.

glockmatt

Pearyw, thanks for the reply.
It's for an accurized Remington 700, but I'm planning on picking up an accurized M14 clone or M1A in the near future. I have an M1A/SOCOM but use only military surplus, factory or TAP 110 gr. I think the long range stuff would be over kill in the service grade gun with a 16 inch tube. Do you agree? Any pet loads for the SOCOM for practice?
Excuse my novice question but what is the advantage of just neck sizing for a single bolt action rifle? Can you get away without case lubing for just neck sizing?
Thanks.

Hawk Carse

M118LR is reportedly loaded with Reloder 15. I could not find the charge, so tweak for the current listed velocity of 2685 fps. Some of the early lots were faster but hard on M14s.

I load the 175 SMK .308 with 44 gr Varget in Lapua brass, either Federal Match or CCI BR primers. 2650+ fps.

Neck sizing - for same bolt action only - saves the trouble of lubing or de-lubing brass and provides a better fit in the chamber... if your chamber is concentric. It doesn't do a whole lot for brass life, they normally crack in the neck first whether neck or full length sized.

glockmatt

Thank for the info.

perry shooter

Hello Matt I have 7 unopened boxes of M118 lot number 20-17 Lake city match that I would be willing to sell if you are interested I can list with a buy it now price. Cheers Karl.

glockmatt

Karl,
Thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, I have some other obligations right now. The load data is for reference with some components I already have. Thanks again for all the good info.
-Matt