Has anyone done any loading for the Springfield M1A SS National Match rifle? Any info, bullet, brass, powder, any rifle specific data welcome.
- Thread starter Boatninja
- Start date
41.5 gr H4895 with 168hr SMK is a standard load that should should 1MOA or better in any properly chambered .308 rifle. If it doesn't, there are issues with the rifle.
My exact load load for NM M1A. 2.8" COAL. Here's a great ling for loading M1A.
I had one ages ago and let me just say upfront that the M1As are really disappointing in the modern era if you’re a precision shooter. That being said, mine liked to shoot:
175SMK
45gr Varget
LC brass
GM210
2.800” COAL
1MOA on a good day was the best I could get out of that waste of money.
175SMK
45gr Varget
LC brass
GM210
2.800” COAL
1MOA on a good day was the best I could get out of that waste of money.
Awesome info dhg2 & kblack583, I have had the rifle for some years and never fired it due to back injuries and so many new (and old) lighter recoiling cartridges and building custom rifles. I have recovered somewhat now and am determined to master it.
Thank's again for taking the time to reply, this will certainly make my mission easier.
Thank's again for taking the time to reply, this will certainly make my mission easier.
I have a friend that was an early Viet Nam era sniper who is getting up there in age and occasionally after a few drinks, late, usually in privacy, around a dieing campfire he opens up and tells me some great stories. They most always include a chuckle and comment about how compared to modern rifles how inaccurate the "sniper M14's" were compared to modern rifles. His eyes lit up when I initially showed it to him & this is one of the reasons I want to get this thing going is so he can shoot it. I bet it will prime him & elicit some more great stories.
175SMK @ 2.815" OAL.
Commercial Brass (Rem, Fed, PPU, IMI, Starline - Starline is best of the bunch, IMI is also very good after prep), F/L resized, full prep.
Fed 210M, CCI BR-2, WLR primers.
42.2gr IMR-4064.
I treat this as a max load, although I have seen significantly higher posted.
The rifle was the SA Loaded M1A Stainless, glass bedded at home. With scope mounted, the rifle held right around 1MOA out to 300yd, wind permitting.
Rifle was sold to pay medicals, simply because it was the most in demand. Replaced with PSA 20", works fine for me with the same load.
Favorite commercial match load is IMI 7.62x51 NATO Semi-Auto Match 168. Rifle was never tried at 1000yd.
Greg
Commercial Brass (Rem, Fed, PPU, IMI, Starline - Starline is best of the bunch, IMI is also very good after prep), F/L resized, full prep.
Fed 210M, CCI BR-2, WLR primers.
42.2gr IMR-4064.
I treat this as a max load, although I have seen significantly higher posted.
The rifle was the SA Loaded M1A Stainless, glass bedded at home. With scope mounted, the rifle held right around 1MOA out to 300yd, wind permitting.
Rifle was sold to pay medicals, simply because it was the most in demand. Replaced with PSA 20", works fine for me with the same load.
Favorite commercial match load is IMI 7.62x51 NATO Semi-Auto Match 168. Rifle was never tried at 1000yd.
Greg
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Thank's to all you guys, I'm actually a bit overwhelmed. I have a bunch to digest here.....
You don't have any pictures of the stock after glass bedding? I'm kinda curious which areas were bedded, I have never taken the stock off of this rifle and really have no clue what the interior looks like.
Bedding the M1A rifle using a coat hanger~ - CMP Forums
Use this forum to post your method for 'How To. (Use "Ask Each Other" to ask a "How To" question.)
forums.thecmp.org
Correct. I don't post pictures, period. I haven't for the nearly 20 years I've been on this forum.
In my own situation, I had to do the research and experimentation by myself. Eventually, I copied (as much as possible) the info in Jerry Kuhnhausen's manual on 30 caliber us service rifles.
I hope this helps. The intervening messsage also has one helluva set of detailed instructions on the process.
Greg
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Here’s some dated information from Glen Zediker. it’s a good start. This was a free download from his website back when he was still alive. There’s some info that experience (personal and otherwise) has shown light through such as using Varget is fine. 45gr of H4895 behind a 125gr Speer TNT has been fun to shoot out to 200. I’ve heard 44gr of IMR XBR 8208 is just as good, just haven’t tried it yet. I’d have to look at my notes, but when I shot the M1A in highpower, I believe I was driving a 168gr SMK behind 42gr of IMR 4064 or 41.5gr IMR 4895 at 2.800” OAL. I switched to the AR in 2007 and haven‘t reloaded for the stick in a while, but still have it. It’s fun to break out once in a while.
Arise Necro Thread!
Question for the M1A/M-14 loaders--it seems to me that people are loading according to the Hodgdon "308 Service" Rifle" Specs and NOT general 308 specs. (based on the reading attached). I know I tried some handloads right in that mid range (168 SMK @ 42.5 IMR 4064) and they worked on the M1A but my AR-10 gas system did not like them. I was thinking of going up in charge to try and get a handload that worked in both, but that sounds like a fool's errand in the M1A--max charge for 168 SMK is 45.9 and it sounds like there would be no gain and lots of downsides going above 43.5 for the M1A.
There seems to be 2 groups
(1) "Don't worry about it, its really about the M1 (garand) and its long op-rod"
(2) "M1A/M-14 Likes its 168/175s right at 2500 fps and you're a moron to try otherwise" (Maybe exaggeration, but you get the idea).
And it sounds like the consensus here is #2.
Also I and struggling if I should keep it classic or go blackfeather stock modern (or buy another and make it a blackfeather) But that's another thread.
Question for the M1A/M-14 loaders--it seems to me that people are loading according to the Hodgdon "308 Service" Rifle" Specs and NOT general 308 specs. (based on the reading attached). I know I tried some handloads right in that mid range (168 SMK @ 42.5 IMR 4064) and they worked on the M1A but my AR-10 gas system did not like them. I was thinking of going up in charge to try and get a handload that worked in both, but that sounds like a fool's errand in the M1A--max charge for 168 SMK is 45.9 and it sounds like there would be no gain and lots of downsides going above 43.5 for the M1A.
There seems to be 2 groups
(1) "Don't worry about it, its really about the M1 (garand) and its long op-rod"
(2) "M1A/M-14 Likes its 168/175s right at 2500 fps and you're a moron to try otherwise" (Maybe exaggeration, but you get the idea).
And it sounds like the consensus here is #2.
Also I and struggling if I should keep it classic or go blackfeather stock modern (or buy another and make it a blackfeather) But that's another thread.
Usually, #2 is the better choice with the M14/M1A here and at M14forum(dot)com. That's based on generations of NRA service rifle shooters at 600yds. However, if you really WANT to shoot 800yds or longer with 175's loaded stoutly, there are things to do and protect the op-rod and gas system. Vented gas plugs and/or grooved pistons are available. You are still stressing the rifle with increased wear on the bedding though.
Suggestion? Use the AR10 for your longer-range outings.
Suggestion? Use the AR10 for your longer-range outings.
Thx--I am under no illusion that its a magic wonder weapon. I enjoy mine and want to treat it right--and since its more of a 'range' toy and I've got all sorts of other tools for the 600+, no reason to unduly wear it out. Just wanted to be sure I wasn't leaving something on the table. My bolt actions kinda got me on the speed hook (repeat to self: speed isn't everything)
Now about that ammoseek and 4985 powder.....
Parkerized 1, since I posted this he shot a Feral Hog at 500 yds with his 50 cal while soaking in his hot tub
)) Haven't been at his house late enough to sit around a fire in aa while though.Springfield M1A National Match.
Exactly my load with the exception of the soft Federal primer,
I use CCI#34 7.62 NATO spec primers.
Have you asked him if you can soak with his 50?Parkerized 1, since I posted this he shot a Feral Hog at 500 yds with his 50 cal while soaking in his hot tub
