I have an original, unfired, low serial numbered M1A, with a 1:12 twist barrel. I would like to keep it original, but shoot out to 1000 yds with it accurately. What bullet/powder load would you use to achieve my goal? Thanks!
Good 1000yd M1A load?
- Thread starter Fatelvis
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Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
You need to work up a load with a heavy bullet that will carry supersonic to 1200 or so. Probably around 40 or 41 grains of 4064 with a 185 grain bullet should do it. Mid range of powders and a rate that is friendly to semi-auto M1A's. JMHO
You need to work up a load with a heavy bullet that will carry supersonic to 1200 or so. Probably around 40 or 41 grains of 4064 with a 185 grain bullet should do it. Mid range of powders and a rate that is friendly to semi-auto M1A's. JMHO
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
For what it's worth, 175gr. FGMM SMKs work great through mine. I know that's not a handloader's answer, but I'm sure there are recipes out there to recreate it. I'd say that's a good starting point.
For what it's worth, 175gr. FGMM SMKs work great through mine. I know that's not a handloader's answer, but I'm sure there are recipes out there to recreate it. I'd say that's a good starting point.
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
See the threads on "duplicating" FGMM 175s.
Keep your chrono velocity below 2600-2620, with powders no slower than 4064, and you'll be just fine. At 40-60°F, FGMM went about 2580 out of mine. My reloads are going about 2550, on the low side of the old M118 174-grain load's standard of 2550 +/- 30 fps, *measured at 78 feet* center of instrument. That about equals 2590 fps closer in.
Some say Varget is too slow for the M14 gas system, but QuickLOAD tells me that the port pressures are well within spec so long as you don't try to get 2700 fps out of that 22-inch barrel.
See the threads on "duplicating" FGMM 175s.
Keep your chrono velocity below 2600-2620, with powders no slower than 4064, and you'll be just fine. At 40-60°F, FGMM went about 2580 out of mine. My reloads are going about 2550, on the low side of the old M118 174-grain load's standard of 2550 +/- 30 fps, *measured at 78 feet* center of instrument. That about equals 2590 fps closer in.
Some say Varget is too slow for the M14 gas system, but QuickLOAD tells me that the port pressures are well within spec so long as you don't try to get 2700 fps out of that 22-inch barrel.
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
my particular m1a prefers 155 scenars to the 168/175s. might be worth tryin over 4064 or varget. my load is 46g of varget, winnie case, cci 200. oal 2.825. lee factory crimp.
they chrony @ 2750fps
good luck!
my particular m1a prefers 155 scenars to the 168/175s. might be worth tryin over 4064 or varget. my load is 46g of varget, winnie case, cci 200. oal 2.825. lee factory crimp.
they chrony @ 2750fps
good luck!
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
And the 175s stabilize ok in the 1:12 twist barrel? I thought I'd have to go with a shorter/lighter bullet.
And the 175s stabilize ok in the 1:12 twist barrel? I thought I'd have to go with a shorter/lighter bullet.
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
The Marines and everyone else used the old .30-06 M72 bullet in 7.62mm M118 Match ammo, with the M14 having a 1:12 twist compared to the M1 Garand's 1:10 pitch, and the rifle and ammo combo was statistically proven over HUGE samples of shooters of ALL skill levels to be shoot about 10% tighter than the Garand/M72 ammo combination.
This Internet obsession with faster twist rates that bled over from the MouseGun ammo improvements has got to STOP.
1. It's bullet length more than weight.
2. In .308 in a 1:12 twist, we've shot bullets as long as Sierra 190s for friggin' DECADES with absolutely no accuracy problems.
Next myth: "Faster" powders for higher velocities in shorter barrels. IME, the slowest powders give the fastest speeds at all barrel lengths. The heavier weight charges typical of that practice, though, come at a cost of more expense, more blast, and usually flash of epic proportions! Especially in .357 Mag...
The Marines and everyone else used the old .30-06 M72 bullet in 7.62mm M118 Match ammo, with the M14 having a 1:12 twist compared to the M1 Garand's 1:10 pitch, and the rifle and ammo combo was statistically proven over HUGE samples of shooters of ALL skill levels to be shoot about 10% tighter than the Garand/M72 ammo combination.
This Internet obsession with faster twist rates that bled over from the MouseGun ammo improvements has got to STOP.
1. It's bullet length more than weight.
2. In .308 in a 1:12 twist, we've shot bullets as long as Sierra 190s for friggin' DECADES with absolutely no accuracy problems.
Next myth: "Faster" powders for higher velocities in shorter barrels. IME, the slowest powders give the fastest speeds at all barrel lengths. The heavier weight charges typical of that practice, though, come at a cost of more expense, more blast, and usually flash of epic proportions! Especially in .357 Mag...
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
175's at 2550 with 41.2 grains H4895 and win primers in win brass. Works quite well, brass lands 3 feet from the rifle, almost no recoil.
175's at 2550 with 41.2 grains H4895 and win primers in win brass. Works quite well, brass lands 3 feet from the rifle, almost no recoil.
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You need to work up a load with a heavy bullet that will carry supersonic to 1200 or so. Probably around 40 or 41 grains of 4064 with a 185 grain bullet should do it. Mid range of powders and a rate that is friendly to semi-auto M1A's. JMHO </div></div>
Just curious, why a bullet that almost no one uses in an M1A when the 175 SMK has been proven over and over to remain stable at 1000 yards?
My M1A has an 18.5" barrel and consistently hits 1.5 moa at 1000 yards with 175 gr FGGM. No need to look any further than that bullet.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You need to work up a load with a heavy bullet that will carry supersonic to 1200 or so. Probably around 40 or 41 grains of 4064 with a 185 grain bullet should do it. Mid range of powders and a rate that is friendly to semi-auto M1A's. JMHO </div></div>
Just curious, why a bullet that almost no one uses in an M1A when the 175 SMK has been proven over and over to remain stable at 1000 yards?
My M1A has an 18.5" barrel and consistently hits 1.5 moa at 1000 yards with 175 gr FGGM. No need to look any further than that bullet.
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
when the M1A was the standard hipower service rifle, folks shot the SMK 180 for 600-1K. some did the SMK 190 but that was really on the raged edge for the gas gun. The 175 was not in existence then and has pretty well replaced the old 180. the 168 was fine across the course 200-600 but not for long range. the newer 185, ie the Berger 185 vld would probably kick butt in the M1a as it does in FT/R but there just aren't very many people shooting the M1a in LR competition anymore.
when the M1A was the standard hipower service rifle, folks shot the SMK 180 for 600-1K. some did the SMK 190 but that was really on the raged edge for the gas gun. The 175 was not in existence then and has pretty well replaced the old 180. the 168 was fine across the course 200-600 but not for long range. the newer 185, ie the Berger 185 vld would probably kick butt in the M1a as it does in FT/R but there just aren't very many people shooting the M1a in LR competition anymore.
Re: Good 1000yd M1A load?
I am aware of the heavier bullets being used at matches, but as you stated, they went away once the 175 SMK was released. Still, the ops question stated 1000 yards, not 1200 and the 175 does it admirably. Beyond 1000 I can't share any experiences but have heard the 175 remains stable through transonic and the JLK 175 or Hornady 178 boattail(when released) may be better choices then a 185 for the M1A.
M1A still has a large following up here.
I am aware of the heavier bullets being used at matches, but as you stated, they went away once the 175 SMK was released. Still, the ops question stated 1000 yards, not 1200 and the 175 does it admirably. Beyond 1000 I can't share any experiences but have heard the 175 remains stable through transonic and the JLK 175 or Hornady 178 boattail(when released) may be better choices then a 185 for the M1A.
M1A still has a large following up here.
