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What factory ammo/ custom loaded ammo are you guys shooting? Got a buddy that just picked one up w a 22" barrel and want to give some advice on a good starting point for him. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.
Out to about 600 I like the 168's like Layton said. Past 600 I like 175's FGMM.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Layton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Both of mine like 168g FGMMs which seems to be pretty common.
Fairly new he purchased it around 3 months ago. I will have to confirm with him on the twist rate. Do you happen to know the B.C. of the 168 fgmm by any chance? Or what kind of velocity to expect from a 22" tube?
Great info guys I will pass on all you guys suggestions to him. I'm trying to get this guy off his ass so I can have a shooting/match buddy, but work def eats up most our time. Again thanks for the help guys.
Being a hand-loader, my M1A SM really likes 40.2 grs of IMR 4064 underneath 168 NCC's (FC brass and F210M primers) and they move at 2375 fps. I am aware that others may prefer a load that will move faster, but higher powder charges begin to show signs of high pressure on my fired cases (before handloading for M1A be sure to build up your Zediker library).
On a bench with a scope mounted this load holds .5ish MOA at 200yds. From a field position... I'm the weak link in the chain.
I've been shooting a Heavy Match since the late 70s in High Power.
The standard load we used was 41.5 grns 4895 with the 168 SMK, either Winchester or LC brass, fed match primes. It pretty much matched the Federal Stuff and M852.
When we moved to 1000 we used the (old) 180 SMKs (which is about the same thing as the 175s) loaded as above.
Federal loaded ammo is OK but it sucked in reloading (pulled it apart upon extraction. That's using SB dies RCBS Competiton dies.
I pretty much lost my contacts for supplies of LC Match Brass and gone to almost all Winchester.
I haven't tried anything heavier than 168gr in my M1a. I've read warnings regarding too high pressure for the gas system with any productive load with 175s.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I haven't tried anything heavier than 168gr in my M1a. I've read warnings regarding too high pressure for the gas system with any productive load with 175s.</div></div>
175s wont hurt a M1A, I've been shooting 180 & 175 SMKs in mine since 1978 and it still works.
I ran the Ak NG Rifle Program and we used 180s (before they had 175) in all our Match M14s at 1000 and sometimes at 600, They didn't hurt anything.
175's at 2500. I use H4895, Winj brass and WLR primers.
Accurate at all ranges and wind is easy. Range in 100's (yards) X velocity and you have your basic wind hold.
An M1A will teach you that faster isn't always better
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Accurate at all ranges and wind is easy. Range in 100's (yards) X velocity and you have your basic wind hold.</div></div>
Isn't that Range in 100 yards X velocity divided by 10?????
Example: 600 yards in a 10 MPH wind would be 6*10/10 = 6 moa correction in full value wind.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">An M1A will teach you that faster isn't always better</div></div>
I agree, I think ISU 300 meter rifle shooters found a long time ago that the 308 is most accurate at about 2200 FPS. Might need to go a tad faster in the M1A so it works the action.
you caught me in a senior moment Kraig. DIVIDED is right.
I do the easy way for me, range in 100's as a decimal value X wind value, just didn't express it correctly.
example; range in 100's 600 yards = .6 X wind value for hold correction in moa.
Same value, different expression. I gotta be more careful with when writing math explanations!