Hello All, I'm new to the forum and after reading through some topics, this is awesome! My question is, I just had my M1A rebuilt to a M21. Looking for reloading info for hunting and comp shooting. Any info is appreciated to get me started.
Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
- Thread starter bterry
- Start date
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
Get a Sierra reloading manual. The M1A requires a medium burn powder for proper gas port presure. The Sierra Maual explains this well.
Get a Sierra reloading manual. The M1A requires a medium burn powder for proper gas port presure. The Sierra Maual explains this well.
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
Save the first two articles to your computer... http://www.zediker.com/downloads/m14.html
and join here... www.m14tfl.com...that site is FULL of all the info on the M1A/ M14 you could ever hope to absorb...seriously
good virgin Canadian Mil-spec brass.. http://www.scharch.com/products.php?cat=71
One less thing to worry about... http://www.davidtubb.com/tcom_images/speedlock/m14spgs.pdf
http://www.zediker.com/articles/articles.html#M14_topics
more.... http://imageseek.com/m1a/
Some amazing stocks... http://www.whamocamo1.com/id55.html
Currently issued USGI Mags "cheap"... http://www.44mag.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CM20
http://www.surplusrifle.com/m14m1a/rifledisassembly/index.asp ....great pictorial on assm./disassm.
Save the first two articles to your computer... http://www.zediker.com/downloads/m14.html
and join here... www.m14tfl.com...that site is FULL of all the info on the M1A/ M14 you could ever hope to absorb...seriously
good virgin Canadian Mil-spec brass.. http://www.scharch.com/products.php?cat=71
One less thing to worry about... http://www.davidtubb.com/tcom_images/speedlock/m14spgs.pdf
http://www.zediker.com/articles/articles.html#M14_topics
more.... http://imageseek.com/m1a/
Some amazing stocks... http://www.whamocamo1.com/id55.html
Currently issued USGI Mags "cheap"... http://www.44mag.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CM20
http://www.surplusrifle.com/m14m1a/rifledisassembly/index.asp ....great pictorial on assm./disassm.
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
I believe it might be the Nosler book which has a separate section for M14 types.
Shop around until you find one that does.
My numbers from QuickLOAD indicate that, contrary to some other opinions, Varget is not too slow for the M14 gas system, so long as you keep velocities of 175s below 2650 (or was it 2600? 4064 shoots 'em tighter for me and with lower ES and sd, so I pretty much quit trying with Varget a few months ago).
RE-15 can safely work, too.
With both, the limiting factor is not the chamber pressure, but the port pressure (max spec is 14,500 psi). The end result in about 100 fps slower than a chamber-pressure safe load for a bolt gun, and predicted pressures in the mid 50,000s rather than being on the ragged edge of 60K.
My op rod speeds and resulting ejection pattern are consistent with these predictions.
I believe it might be the Nosler book which has a separate section for M14 types.
Shop around until you find one that does.
My numbers from QuickLOAD indicate that, contrary to some other opinions, Varget is not too slow for the M14 gas system, so long as you keep velocities of 175s below 2650 (or was it 2600? 4064 shoots 'em tighter for me and with lower ES and sd, so I pretty much quit trying with Varget a few months ago).
RE-15 can safely work, too.
With both, the limiting factor is not the chamber pressure, but the port pressure (max spec is 14,500 psi). The end result in about 100 fps slower than a chamber-pressure safe load for a bolt gun, and predicted pressures in the mid 50,000s rather than being on the ragged edge of 60K.
My op rod speeds and resulting ejection pattern are consistent with these predictions.
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
Hey Raider, Did you get it back already? You better get a bunch of ammo loaded for it so I can play with it when I get down there this summer. PS VARGET
By the way...Welcome Aboard SGT.MAJOR !!!! Thanks for your service to our country for the last 31 years! And Thanks for teaching me not to step on my johnson for four of those! Semper FI
Hey Raider, Did you get it back already? You better get a bunch of ammo loaded for it so I can play with it when I get down there this summer. PS VARGET
By the way...Welcome Aboard SGT.MAJOR !!!! Thanks for your service to our country for the last 31 years! And Thanks for teaching me not to step on my johnson for four of those! Semper FI
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
This is a load that Clint Fowler has used for years, it shoots .5-.6 ragged holes with my m1a
40 grains of 1MR 4064, Remington Case, Fed. 210M primer and 168 gr. SMK
This is a load that Clint Fowler has used for years, it shoots .5-.6 ragged holes with my m1a
40 grains of 1MR 4064, Remington Case, Fed. 210M primer and 168 gr. SMK
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
The new Hornady manual has a 7.62 Service Rifle section as well as 5.62 and M1 Garand.
The new Hornady manual has a 7.62 Service Rifle section as well as 5.62 and M1 Garand.
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
The AMAX bullets work good for me for hunting and targets.
The AMAX bullets work good for me for hunting and targets.
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
Thanks Guys, great information. usmcsniperone...those were great days, humping around the old bolt gun (not for the occasional coyote that would spy on our patrol!). Looking forward to your visit!
Thanks Guys, great information. usmcsniperone...those were great days, humping around the old bolt gun (not for the occasional coyote that would spy on our patrol!). Looking forward to your visit!
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
A really good load for me in my match grade M1A has been 38 grains of IMR 4895 and 168SMK projo's.
A really good load for me in my match grade M1A has been 38 grains of IMR 4895 and 168SMK projo's.
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
I use 43.5 GR's of Winchester 748(2550-2600fps) with 168 AMAX or SMK for shooting paper then I switch to Barnes 168 TTSX, Hornady 165 Bonded, or Nosler 165 Accubond for Hunting. You will have to re-zero but they are pretty close. AMAX can be used for hunting but it is a thin casing and can break apart. I like going to Barnes for Hunting bullets as that is their specialty.
I use 43.5 GR's of Winchester 748(2550-2600fps) with 168 AMAX or SMK for shooting paper then I switch to Barnes 168 TTSX, Hornady 165 Bonded, or Nosler 165 Accubond for Hunting. You will have to re-zero but they are pretty close. AMAX can be used for hunting but it is a thin casing and can break apart. I like going to Barnes for Hunting bullets as that is their specialty.
Re: Reloading data for hunting and Comp for M1A
Guy at my work swears by 748 - 44 in win brass, 42.5 in military with 168SMK. He's old, fat, and bald, so he has to know what he's talking about.
edit: that would be a target load, for hunting I would use a 165 soft point and load a grain or two lighter if it's a flat base.
Guy at my work swears by 748 - 44 in win brass, 42.5 in military with 168SMK. He's old, fat, and bald, so he has to know what he's talking about.
edit: that would be a target load, for hunting I would use a 165 soft point and load a grain or two lighter if it's a flat base.
