USSR
Member
Anybody here reload for the M1A, Garand in .308, FAL, etc.?
Don
Don
Reloading for Military-type autoloaders in .308
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bigggbbruce
Member
FAL.. standard .308 load data.
K9 Rex
Member
Loads for 7.62 Service Rifles
I load for the M1A and M1 in 7.62/.308. Favorite for the 150 FMJ is 47.5 gr of AA 2520. This may be a compressed load in military brass, I like civilian brass better. For a 168 gr Match bullet, 44.0 gr of AA 2520 is great. This is a max load, it will flatten primers, but is accurate in my experience. I prefer the AA 2520 for these rifles, but H 4895 or IMR 4895 are my second choices.
I load for the M1A and M1 in 7.62/.308. Favorite for the 150 FMJ is 47.5 gr of AA 2520. This may be a compressed load in military brass, I like civilian brass better. For a 168 gr Match bullet, 44.0 gr of AA 2520 is great. This is a max load, it will flatten primers, but is accurate in my experience. I prefer the AA 2520 for these rifles, but H 4895 or IMR 4895 are my second choices.
old&slow
Member
Hornady 9th edition reloading manual has a section in it for 308 service rifles.
Have yet to try AA powders........
4895 works from my 22-250 to the large case 30-06 with data
from all makers.
4064 almost as good........... better in my .270.
4895 works from my 22-250 to the large case 30-06 with data
from all makers.
4064 almost as good........... better in my .270.
S&W HE
Member
Have loaded 308/7.62x51 rounds for my AR-10, FN FAL, and Galil for many years.
Powers used: IMR-3031, H335, IMR-4895, IMR-4320, IMR-4064, W748, and BLC2.
Primers used: CCI BR2, Federal standard, magnum, match, and Winchester standard and magnum primers.
Projectiles used: Primarily 150 to 175 grain Sierra and Hornady.
I don't reload for the M1A due to their tendency to slam fire. If you choose to do so be sure to used "Military" primers.
Powers used: IMR-3031, H335, IMR-4895, IMR-4320, IMR-4064, W748, and BLC2.
Primers used: CCI BR2, Federal standard, magnum, match, and Winchester standard and magnum primers.
Projectiles used: Primarily 150 to 175 grain Sierra and Hornady.
I don't reload for the M1A due to their tendency to slam fire. If you choose to do so be sure to used "Military" primers.
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cb4017
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Yes. Pretty extensively. Everything HK91 - AR pattern. What exactly do you want to know?
I keep loads moderate for semi-auto rifles. My "go to" load for most .308 semi-autos is 43 gr Varget behind any brand name 168 gr HPBT Match bullet loaded to mag length, 2.810" Actually, that is my load for pretty much any .308/7.62. Very accurate in almost anything.
I've also been trying IMR 4064 lately. Very promising.
I keep loads moderate for semi-auto rifles. My "go to" load for most .308 semi-autos is 43 gr Varget behind any brand name 168 gr HPBT Match bullet loaded to mag length, 2.810" Actually, that is my load for pretty much any .308/7.62. Very accurate in almost anything.
I've also been trying IMR 4064 lately. Very promising.
I like Varget, but also use H4895 or IMR 4895 for M1A, M1 Garand, and Enfield.
For the M1A NM 42.7gr Varget with 168gr A-Max is the accurate load for me. Not so if I use SMK's. Still working on that.
For the M1A NM 42.7gr Varget with 168gr A-Max is the accurate load for me. Not so if I use SMK's. Still working on that.
ScottZ
Member
National Match
The old national match load for the M1A/M14 is
168gr. hpbt Sierra with 41.5 grains H4895
This was the AMU load to duplicate Lake City NM852
Great out to 600 yards
The old national match load for the M1A/M14 is
168gr. hpbt Sierra with 41.5 grains H4895
This was the AMU load to duplicate Lake City NM852
Great out to 600 yards
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tndrfttom
Member
Like ScottZ said, 41.5 gr. of H4895 was THE load when using 168 gr. Sierra Match Kings in the match M14 and M1As. It also works fine with the 155 gr. Sierra "Palma" HPBT. Hodgdon or IMR 4895 also works well in M1 Garand and in .223/5.56mm - its simplified my rifle powder inventory.
Only thing I can add is to consider Small Base dies for most reliable feeding.
Scott Z's information is spot on!
I have worn out 4 barrels shooting NRA High Power Service Rifle on my Springfield M1A Super Match. I have used many pounds of IMR 4895, AA 2520, 2460, WW748, but mostly IMR 4895.
As far as dies go ...make sure that yours will size the casings to minimum specs. I use a case gauge and a RCBS case micrometer to ensure the shoulder is set back to it's correct location. Case length is also critical.
Overall length is simple for me...I replicate M852, M118 which is at magazine length.
Randy
PS...The comment that the M1A easily slam fired is a bunch of baloney. I have over 25 years experience with mine and with many other shooters and have never witnessed a slam fire in hundreds of thousands of rounds downrange.
I have worn out 4 barrels shooting NRA High Power Service Rifle on my Springfield M1A Super Match. I have used many pounds of IMR 4895, AA 2520, 2460, WW748, but mostly IMR 4895.
As far as dies go ...make sure that yours will size the casings to minimum specs. I use a case gauge and a RCBS case micrometer to ensure the shoulder is set back to it's correct location. Case length is also critical.
Overall length is simple for me...I replicate M852, M118 which is at magazine length.
Randy
PS...The comment that the M1A easily slam fired is a bunch of baloney. I have over 25 years experience with mine and with many other shooters and have never witnessed a slam fire in hundreds of thousands of rounds downrange.
Collo Rosso
Member
Not a lot of experience but have loaded a couple hundred or so rounds with Hornady 158gr. FMJ's, H335 powder and Wolf LR primers. Not looking for super accuracy, just plinking. Have no problem ringing 10" (might be 12") round steel plates at 300 yards.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I sold my HK 91 years ago, but I have yet to get a 308 to like 4064. It is the most recommended powder for 308, but none of bolt guns or semi autos have liked it. My guns have liked Varget very much. My current loading is the Sierra Palma bullet (155 grains) over Varget using Federal 210 M primers in Hornady match brass )M 118 brass is not quite as good but is better than current Federal match brass) I tried several Palma bullets (always 155 grain or Berger's 155.5 is allowed too) and Sierra's new design (product #2156) beats them for accuracy (in my guns) and BC. I've had pretty good results with the Hornady A-Max 165 and 168, along with the Sierra 175 MK (the 168 MK, work OK at 600 yards but their performance are not that good at 1000)
Sierra's Loading manual have separate loading info for bolt guns and semi autos. As with all guns, yours may not like their accuracy loads, but it is a great place to start!
Ivan
Sierra's Loading manual have separate loading info for bolt guns and semi autos. As with all guns, yours may not like their accuracy loads, but it is a great place to start!
Ivan
I'd love to hear more about either of your H335 loads. I bought my first .308 (a CMP Garand in .308) around a year ago. I have H335 on-hand for .223 loading, and though I suspect it's not the best powder for it, I plan to at least try making it work with 147/155/168 and maybe 125gr bullets and S&B LRM primers in the Garand. I've only gotten as far as prepping some brass (cleaned/sized/trimmed) and loading 2 dummies with 147gr bullets.
So, my question is...Why do you say that M118 brass isn't as good...what makes it not as good? I have fired thousands of them and actually prefer them to the knurlized M852 brass.
Removing the crimp from the primer pocket is no big deal and it seems to last MUCH longer in my M1A than M852....Just wondering....
Randy
ScottZ
Member
National Match Ammo
When shooting service rifle,
Remember safety and function should come before accuracy.
The National Match m14/m1a with good ammo should shoot the xring out to 600 yards all day. Most people will lose more matches to malfunctions then to inaccurate ammunition. When I competed I used small base RCBS dies for function and Winchester large rifle primers, 168 hpbt with h4895.
With this load I could clean a 600 yard target, if you shoot 1000 yards switch to the 175 hpbt, 168s drop subsonic out to 1000.
Try it, shoot Service Rifle, shoot local matches go to Camp Perry, it's good fun and the people are great!
Distinguished rifleman
NRA master
When shooting service rifle,
Remember safety and function should come before accuracy.
The National Match m14/m1a with good ammo should shoot the xring out to 600 yards all day. Most people will lose more matches to malfunctions then to inaccurate ammunition. When I competed I used small base RCBS dies for function and Winchester large rifle primers, 168 hpbt with h4895.
With this load I could clean a 600 yard target, if you shoot 1000 yards switch to the 175 hpbt, 168s drop subsonic out to 1000.
Try it, shoot Service Rifle, shoot local matches go to Camp Perry, it's good fun and the people are great!
Distinguished rifleman
NRA master
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Have reloaded thousands of rounds used in M1 rifle, M1-A (Springfield Armory), G3, and FAL. General considerations:
1. Loads used must perform within a fairly narrow window of pressure and pressure curve in order to properly cycle the actions and provide consistent performance. This means limited selections of powders, bullets, etc, to keep the rifle "running" right.
2. Full-length resizing of brass is absolutely necessary, and the use of "small base" sizer dies can be required for some rifles to assure proper functioning. The "SB" dies are machined to reduce case head diameters more so than standard sizer dies to assure proper functioning in self-loading rifles.
3. All of the gas-operated rifles utilize a porting system in which expanding gases behind the bullet are ported into the gas tube to cycle the action. Cast lead bullets will frequently (if not always) result in undesirable build-up of lead residues in the gas tube and forward face of the operating rod, which can (1) have a negative effect on function, (2) require serious and frequently harsh cleaning methods to alleviate, and (3) shorten the useful life of vital operating parts due to harsh cleaning methods. In short, cast bullets are not generally recommended for use in gas-operated self-loading rifles.
Bottom line: stick with jacketed bullet loads that closely approximate the pressure curves of issue ammunition to assure proper functioning and avoid excessive wear and tear on vital parts.
1. Loads used must perform within a fairly narrow window of pressure and pressure curve in order to properly cycle the actions and provide consistent performance. This means limited selections of powders, bullets, etc, to keep the rifle "running" right.
2. Full-length resizing of brass is absolutely necessary, and the use of "small base" sizer dies can be required for some rifles to assure proper functioning. The "SB" dies are machined to reduce case head diameters more so than standard sizer dies to assure proper functioning in self-loading rifles.
3. All of the gas-operated rifles utilize a porting system in which expanding gases behind the bullet are ported into the gas tube to cycle the action. Cast lead bullets will frequently (if not always) result in undesirable build-up of lead residues in the gas tube and forward face of the operating rod, which can (1) have a negative effect on function, (2) require serious and frequently harsh cleaning methods to alleviate, and (3) shorten the useful life of vital operating parts due to harsh cleaning methods. In short, cast bullets are not generally recommended for use in gas-operated self-loading rifles.
Bottom line: stick with jacketed bullet loads that closely approximate the pressure curves of issue ammunition to assure proper functioning and avoid excessive wear and tear on vital parts.
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