I have a NM M1a with lots of lake city "match" brass that I would like to reload for my sons to shoot in local service rifle matchs. If anyone has proven or favorite loads for this rifle could you please share them. My sons and I would appreciate it. I usually shoot 6ooyd benchrest but they want to shoot and I'd love to get them going. How could I say no to a 16 and 13 yr old. Thanks guys
M1a favorite reloads
- Thread starter rpl6547
- Start date
Re: M1a favorite reloads
Depending on the lot, 41.5 to 42.5 gr 4064. I've used both CCI & Win primers. 175-gr SMK or clone, or my favorite, the Hornady 178-gr A-Max. Goes 2550 to 2600 fps, depending on the local variables like the barrel. Lake City or recent/heavy FC cases (both 56.0-56.25 gr water capacity for my chamber.
Depending on the lot, 41.5 to 42.5 gr 4064. I've used both CCI & Win primers. 175-gr SMK or clone, or my favorite, the Hornady 178-gr A-Max. Goes 2550 to 2600 fps, depending on the local variables like the barrel. Lake City or recent/heavy FC cases (both 56.0-56.25 gr water capacity for my chamber.
Re: M1a favorite reloads
So 4895 is your favorite powder eh? Any good loads with BLC-2(or wc846) and 175 SMK's? Thanks.
So 4895 is your favorite powder eh? Any good loads with BLC-2(or wc846) and 175 SMK's? Thanks.
Re: M1a favorite reloads
I went away from spherical powders because they *are* not only temperature sensitive for velocity, but up to about twice as sensitive as the stick powders.
43.0 of WW-748 in military cases and CCI primers was always at 1 MOA with 168-gr SMKs and clones.
I never worked up a match load for WCC 846 or 844. Used those for my blasting loads with cheap bullets in both .223 and .308.
I went away from spherical powders because they *are* not only temperature sensitive for velocity, but up to about twice as sensitive as the stick powders.
43.0 of WW-748 in military cases and CCI primers was always at 1 MOA with 168-gr SMKs and clones.
I never worked up a match load for WCC 846 or 844. Used those for my blasting loads with cheap bullets in both .223 and .308.
Re: M1a favorite reloads
I would presume that the above post is referencing 41.5 grns of IMR 4895, as opposed to H 4895??
I would presume that the above post is referencing 41.5 grns of IMR 4895, as opposed to H 4895??
Re: M1a favorite reloads
Here's a good load to shoot in the standing & sitting rapid strings at the 200yd line. Recoil is quite tame and it's extremely accurate.
Speer 125gr TNT
41.0gr IMR 4895
USGI brass
WLR primer
2.75" OAL
Here's a good load to shoot in the standing & sitting rapid strings at the 200yd line. Recoil is quite tame and it's extremely accurate.
Speer 125gr TNT
41.0gr IMR 4895
USGI brass
WLR primer
2.75" OAL
Re: M1a favorite reloads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: judgedelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would presume that the above post is referencing 41.5 grns of IMR 4895, as opposed to H 4895?? </div></div>
Yes, in the ancient highpower rifle world, it was anything from 40.5 to 41.5 IMR 4895 in your choice of military (usually Lake City Match) brass, any primer. A rifle that wouldn't shoot that load with the 168 was a candidate for re-barreling.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: judgedelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would presume that the above post is referencing 41.5 grns of IMR 4895, as opposed to H 4895?? </div></div>
Yes, in the ancient highpower rifle world, it was anything from 40.5 to 41.5 IMR 4895 in your choice of military (usually Lake City Match) brass, any primer. A rifle that wouldn't shoot that load with the 168 was a candidate for re-barreling.
Re: M1a favorite reloads
Go back far enough and H-4895 was military pull-down powder. Then they ran out and had to spec various makers and bought new production. I got what looks like a late '60s cardboard can of maybe 4 ounces from a friend, and the kernels were quite small and cut shorter than the IMR stuff. Got a few good plinking rounds out of it. They've kept the burn rate pretty much the same over the years, so the old reloading data is still good--if based on real pressure testing instead of voo-doo. Those lawyers weren't the real reason some loading manuals "backed off". It was better-informed engineers with decent instrumentation.
Go back far enough and H-4895 was military pull-down powder. Then they ran out and had to spec various makers and bought new production. I got what looks like a late '60s cardboard can of maybe 4 ounces from a friend, and the kernels were quite small and cut shorter than the IMR stuff. Got a few good plinking rounds out of it. They've kept the burn rate pretty much the same over the years, so the old reloading data is still good--if based on real pressure testing instead of voo-doo. Those lawyers weren't the real reason some loading manuals "backed off". It was better-informed engineers with decent instrumentation.
Re: M1a favorite reloads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grump</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depending on the lot, 41.5 to 42.5 gr 4064. I've used both CCI & Win primers. 175-gr SMK or clone, or my favorite, the Hornady 178-gr A-Max. Goes 2550 to 2600 fps, depending on the local variables like the barrel. Lake City or recent/heavy FC cases (both 56.0-56.25 gr water capacity for my chamber.</div></div>
Late to the party, but I gotta agree with Grump.
w/ LC brass
I like 42.5 4064
175 SMK
210 FGM
or my best load for 600+ yd:
42.1- 42.5 RL-15
178 AMAX
210 FGM
I've tried CCI (BR-2 ?) primers, and they were more accurate but I found them too pricey for the increased accuracy (less than 7% gained).
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grump</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depending on the lot, 41.5 to 42.5 gr 4064. I've used both CCI & Win primers. 175-gr SMK or clone, or my favorite, the Hornady 178-gr A-Max. Goes 2550 to 2600 fps, depending on the local variables like the barrel. Lake City or recent/heavy FC cases (both 56.0-56.25 gr water capacity for my chamber.</div></div>
Late to the party, but I gotta agree with Grump.
w/ LC brass
I like 42.5 4064
175 SMK
210 FGM
or my best load for 600+ yd:
42.1- 42.5 RL-15
178 AMAX
210 FGM
I've tried CCI (BR-2 ?) primers, and they were more accurate but I found them too pricey for the increased accuracy (less than 7% gained).
