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M1A Target Loads
el5boys
Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
I need a good target load for my M1A, Anybody got any thats working out
Comments
your M-1A, like all military semi auto rifles, was designed to work within a specific pressure range. If the loads are to "hot" you'll bend or break "actuator rods" to "cool" and you'll get feeding and ejection problems.
The loads for the M-14, which the M-1A is, were 150 grain FMJ in the 52,000 psi range, at about 2500 to 2700 FPS. I'll suggest 35.5 grains IMR 4198, a 150 gr bullet of your choice, loaded to an overall length of 2.700 inches.
Consider this a starting point and "take notes" as you try changes to this load.
At this point you can do one of two things; A. Buy a specific lot number of 308 match ammo. This accomplishes two things it gives you a baseline to graph the success of your reloads against and it will give you a supply of match brass to reload. The trick is to buy as much as you can afford and make sure it is all has the same lot number on it!
B. You can contact someone like Starline and buy your match brass direct from them and start reloading from "the * go"!
I like suggestion A. better. Because of the ability to be able to run comparosion against a known load you'll have a better idea of what your doing right, and wrong, in your reloads.
Some other suggestions, don't shoot up all the match ammo! Keep some to do an occasional spot check of rifle accruacy. You also might see if you can find some old .308 or 30-06 Ap bullets. These will have the black tip on them if you can find some Lake City stuff from the 60's. I worked with a guy who used the AP's as practice rounds in his Mauser 30-06 and they never failed to stay under the magic MOA if he did his part. Mind you this was the early 70's and these AP's shot as well or better than the best commercially available hunting bullets of the day!
You should also talk to some of the other shooters if your going to compete. Rule of thumb here? Guy with highest score knows whats up.[8D]
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm
quote:Pearyw I load 40.5 gr IMR4895 with 168 gr Hornady BTHP bullet in Black Hill match brass with a Winchester LR primer.
This is a great combo for the M1A. The Hornady Match BTHP is a wonderful bullet for the M1A, I have had a lot of great groups with them.Although I would not start with the exact charge stated because your rifle might not like it, start a little lower and work it back up. I have also had more than exceptional luck out of Berger's 168gr BT(also known as the Length Tolerant Bullet) which is wonderful for having the seating depth neccesary to load in the mag.