7.62X51 M1A long range loads

[Grayfox]

I'm going to try to get certified for our clubs long rifle range. 200, 300 & 600 yards. The rifle will be a standard model Springfield M1A with a 12x scope. Ok, maybe not the best set up, but its what I got. Maximum acceptable group size will be 18" @ 600yards.
This particular rifle is a bit touchy about ammo. It generally does about 2" @ 100 yards with Mil-surp ammo. So I'm probably going to have to handload for the longer distances.
Here's the catch. Until I get certified, I'll be limited to shooting at 100 yards. So I won't be able to test my loads at the longer distances.
So, can anybody give me some trusted and proven long range loads for the M1A? Any advice from long shooters would also be welcome.
BTW: there's no rush and no schedule. I got all the time in the world to work this out.

 

[M29since14]

I can’t say about 600 (400 is max for my range) but the old, more or less “standard” M852 target load of 168 gr match bullet and 42-43 grs of 4895 should get you started. If you’re using GI brass, you may want to reduce a bit. I use FC commercial brass and 42 grs and always get good results in both the M1A and bolt guns. As with any internet advice, please be sure reduce and work up using normal handloading precaution.

I’ve never improved on Federal GM Match so if you’re really concerned with accuracy you might buy a couple of boxes of that to use as a control when comparing your handloads. (Having said that, I admit I don’t try a lot of different factory-loaded ammunition.)

I use both Hornady and Sierra bullets and have good results with both. Hornadys usually save me a bit of money. Don’t overwork your brass in the M1A. And don’t forget to test your loaded rounds with a maximum cartridge gage.

 

[andy52]

You can work up a load at 100 yds as long as your loads are MOA or Sub it's just essentially mathematics from there as long as you do your part.
I'm not close to my log book right now but I have a load using 168gr Sierra tipped match kings that will group .038 inch (with my rifle) at 100 yds I'll post it up tomorrow.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Federal Gold Medal Match is available in 3 bullet weights 168, 175 (good to 1000 yards) and 155 Palma (good to 1300+ yards). I load the Sierra 155 Palma bullet (Product #2156) with Match brass (I've been using Hornady, but switching to Lapua!) Federal 210M primer, and 47.0 grains of Varget. Chronographs at 2900 fps from 24" bolt gun, a little slower from a gas gun!

This load from my Savage 10BAS, groups less than .3 MOA at long distance. That's 3 inches at 1000 yards!

Ivan

 

[lrrifleman]

Grayfox,

It has been a while since I have been able to use either my M1MkII or my M1ANM. I have three loads: one using IMR4895, AA2520, & Varget. I use Sierra 168 & 175 MatchKings and Nosler Custom Competition 168s interchangeably. Off the too of my head, the IMR 4895 recipe is 41.8gr (replicates M852 when I use 168s) at 2558 fps. The same charge with 175s replicates M118LR at very close to 2550 fps. I will try to dig up my Varget and 2520 recipes tomorrow.

Virtually all of these recipes provided close to 1.5 MOA in my service rifles, and just under a minute in my 700.

 

[Dave from Pa]

As stated by others,41.5/42 grs. of IMR 4895 loading a Sierra 168 Matchking bullet with a match primer, full length sized(not small base)should be all you need loaded to magazine length.We used to say if the rifle did not shoot that load sell the rifle since its not going to shoot anything.Not quite clear what you mean by certified, or do you mean classified with a High Power rifle classification? Either way good luck in your quest.

 

[Nevada Ed]

the 168 BT is the usual loading but if it does not pan out
at the 600 yards.........

My rifle likes the 200gr BT with the winds here in Nevada......
with the lighter bullet for 200 & 300 yards at minimal speeds of 2530fps.

Good luck.

 

[growr]

ammo

As stated by others,41.5/42 grs. of IMR 4895 loading a Sierra 168 Matchking bullet with a match primer, full length sized(not small base)should be all you need loaded to magazine length.We used to say if the rifle did not shoot that load sell the rifle since its not going to shoot anything.Not quite clear what you mean by certified, or do you mean classified with a High Power rifle classification? Either way good luck in your quest.

Like you I too am confused.... qualified for what? HP Service Rifle classification takes more than one pass over the course....I shot an M1A Super Match for many years and wore out 4 barrels and am on the 5th.

Made Master finally and legged out for my Distinguished Rifleman in 3 matches....could never seem to break into High Master....a number of scores that were close but no banana...

the above statement of the 42 gr. IMR-4895/168 SMK is spot on.

Randy

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO you won't have a problem with most .308 ammo out to 600 yards.

I would suggest a quality match bullet like a 155gr Palma Match bullet or a 168gr match bullet if your rifle shoots them better. Use a good primer to help prevent flyers, maybe a Federal Premium Gold Mstal or CCI Benchrest Primer. I like Varget, IMR4064 and 4895 in the .308 with Varget taking the edge.

You really don't need to make many changes for 600 yards, 1,000 yards would be a different matter.

Good luck getting certified...

 

[lrrifleman]

Like you I too am confused.... qualified for what? HP Service Rifle classification takes more than one pass over the course....I shot an M1A Super Match for many years and wore out 4 barrels and am on the 5th.

Made Master finally and legged out for my Distinguished Rifleman in 3 matches....could never seem to break into High Master....a number of scores that were close but no banana...

the above statement of the 42 gr. IMR-4895/168 SMK is spot on.

Randy

I understand what is meant by certified. At my club, because of electronic scoring, the club wants to ensure that the shooter can hit the aiming black at a thousand yards. Because of shooter inability to stay on targets beyond 100 yards, clubs are starting to require shooters demonstrate their ability to stay "on target" at distance in order to minimize the risk of shooters shooting beyond the target berm.

 

[Grayfox]

^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^
lrrifleman: that's pretty much the gist of it. Although we haven't gotten to electronic scoring yet.
All you need to do is look at the baffles over the 100 yard line and you'll see why they require certification to use the long range.

 

[Homie]

Lots of good advice here-
Is the qual. shoot prone or bench? What are the usual wind conditions?
Is the rifle bedded?
Buy a box of Federal 168s and see how well they shoot.
Good shooting!

 

[Grayfox]

Shooting position is my choice. I'll most likely shoot off the bench.
Wind can vary a lot here. But is usually pretty light passing left to right.
Nope, the rifle is not bedded. Its just a standard model M1A. Nothing special about it at all.
Gun shows the next two weekends. I'll see about picking up some match ammo to try.

 

[growr]

Black Hills Ammo in S. Dak. has a very good commercial reload of the M852 military round....using a 168 SMK, a Federal casing and primer ( I think) that shoots VERY well....

Might consider placing an order for a couple boxes and try.

Randy

 

[andy52]

Here's the load I promised you;

Sierra 168 gr MKT
AA #2460 42 gr
Lapua brass
CCI primers
FPS 2450-2500
COL, I usually go as long as possible and still feed from the magazine.

 

[Homie]

Quick second thoughts-
Check the scope for parallax, and make sure you've got enough elevation so you're not at the end of the adjustment.
Good luck!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Quick second thoughts-
Check the scope for parallax, and make sure you've got enough elevation so you're not at the end of the adjustment.
Good luck!

You will probably need the ability to do 20 MOA of elevation if I'm doing the calculations correctly.

 

[Dave from Pa]

You will probably need the ability to do 20 MOA of elevation if I'm doing the calculations correctly.

Good point that should be brought up regarding long range.We used 22 minutes added to our 600 yard setting yrs back when we were all shooting the M1 with issued Lake City match ammo. Checking parallax and making sure your scope is in the optical Center will help a great deal. Should also mention we had good results using the 175 Sierra match king or 173 grain Berger’s. The 175 grain Sierra’s will remain supersonic at 1000 the 168’s usually do not. Avoid using bullet weights over 180 grains the heavier bullets will beat the gun up. Back in the 90s some friends on the service teams tried/shot the heavy bullets with some success but they also had gun plumbers at their disposal to put the pieces back.Avoid any of the slower burning powders,Stick with Varget or 4895 or powders with similar burning rates.A long time ago a fellow by the name of CE Harris wrote an article for the American rifleman titled “You can’t get there with the gas a gas gun” if I still have it I’ll send it to you it’s a wealth of information about shooting long range with the M1a/M14.

Forgot you were shooting 600 yards and not 1000. Either way a lot of the information is applicable and can be used at either yardage except for the come ups. 20-22 minutes will get you on paper at 600 with a 100 yd zero. Sorry for the rambling old guys do that sometimes.

 

[29aholic]

I second Federal GMM or M118LR

 

[rvn6768]

try 39.5 grains of imr 3031 with a 168 grain match king.