180's in an M1A

Northwest Cajun · August 15, 2002, 11:03 PM

Hi Guys,
Are 180 gr bullets too heavy to shoot in an M1A?

It's brand new standard grade and I'm trying to figure out an accurate load that will not bend or break anything.
I'm using Varget powder &CCI LR primers in Mil brass.
I tried some 150's, 165's & 180's with 42.5gr Varget. The 180's were my best group of the session. There were a few with the 150's that didn't eject.
Any help will be greatly appreicated.
Cajun

moredes · August 16, 2002, 09:46 AM

A few sources I trust (Zediker, Snipershide for two) say that Varget is too slow a powder for an M1A. 180 is the verymost upper limit on an unvented gun, and the consensus is 175 SMK's are the accepted normal heavyweight. Powders I've seen recommended without dissent are IMR 4064, IMR 4895, RL-15, Benchmark, WW748, Ramshot TAC, BL(C)-2, N140 and 150. There are volumnous posts on the 'net on the compatability of 4064 and 4895 use with the M1A. The IMR's and especially BL(C)-2, WW748 have a reputation of being sensitive to temperature. I have found sporadic input on the rest, here and there, with no real overwhelming trend towards any one of the other powders.

Basically, the "geezers" shoot/stay with, the IMR's; the new blood or curious are trying the other powders. I suspect the lack of an overwhelming migration to one of the non IMR powders is more the unwillingness to leave a known load to experiment with another powder and work up a new load, coupled with the economics of having to abandon a successful powder to the shelf.

Northwest Cajun · August 16, 2002, 10:37 AM

Moredes,
I use Varget because I get it in large quanities. I've successfully developed Varget loads for all my rifles .223,.300 savage,.30-06 and 45-70 and I'm hoping to do the same with .308 in my M1a. You can put it two ways , I'm either frugel or a tight a$$

I know high power shooters use it for 1000 yd matches but I dont know if they use a bolt or a gas gun.
I'm not trying for top speed but I'd like to find a fairly accurate
(under 2" @ 100yds) loads. It being a standard grade with chrome lined barrel, I know I will never get the 1/2 MOA that everybody else is striveing for.
I'll get some 165 or 168's in A-max or SST and try agian. Thats the fun of it, I just don't want to break anything.
Thanks for the reply
Cajun

sleeping dog · August 16, 2002, 10:43 AM

Cautious and conservative reloading is one way to ensure you live long enough to attain the status of "geezer"

For experimenting with very slow or very fast powders or off-spec bullet weights, if I'm shooting my M1, I replace the gas tube plug with one that has a 1/8" hole drilled through it, turning the gun into a straight-pull bolt-action. No bent op-rods. I suppose the M14/M1A could work the same way.

Regards.

Steve Smith · August 16, 2002, 02:00 PM

Some of us use the 4895 because its just cheap as dirt, not because we're geezers!

I suppose if I were competing with the M1A, I'd look at switching to RL-15.

Northwest Cajun · August 16, 2002, 05:43 PM

Steve,
How is RL 15 with .223 and 30-06 ?

Cajun

moredes · August 17, 2002, 03:54 AM

I use a vented cylinder too, on my M1A. Works just like Sleeping Dog says.

Again I'd agree with Steve. I use 4064 because the 4895 just doesn't shoot as well and I have a ton of 64 I got free. Otherwise, I might show more patience in developing a satisfactory 4895 load, so I could qualify as a cheap geezer.

C.R.Sam · August 17, 2002, 07:18 AM

Accurate 4895 loads worth workin for.

4895 temp stability is great. Desert big horn or high country winter Elk......very little performance change.

Safe.

And inexpensive.

Sam.....geezer qual many yars yor.

Steve Smith · August 17, 2002, 10:03 AM

I have no idea how 4895 works with .30-06 or RL-15. I've never loaded for 06, only .308. I could assume that they were the same, but I could be wrong.

hps1 · August 18, 2002, 10:58 PM

4895 is excellent powder for 150's & 168's in the 30-06, both gas guns and bolt guns.

Regards,
hps

August 15, 2002, 11:03 PM	#1
Northwest Cajun Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 1999 Location: Spanaway Wa. &Lafayette La,(Cajun Country) Posts: 189	180's in an M1A Hi Guys, Are 180 gr bullets too heavy to shoot in an M1A? It's brand new standard grade and I'm trying to figure out an accurate load that will not bend or break anything. I'm using Varget powder &CCI LR primers in Mil brass. I tried some 150's, 165's & 180's with 42.5gr Varget. The 180's were my best group of the session. There were a few with the 150's that didn't eject. Any help will be greatly appreicated. Cajun __________________ Laizzes Les Bon Temps Rouler!

August 16, 2002, 10:37 AM	#3
Northwest Cajun Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 1999 Location: Spanaway Wa. &Lafayette La,(Cajun Country) Posts: 189	Moredes, I use Varget because I get it in large quanities. I've successfully developed Varget loads for all my rifles .223,.300 savage,.30-06 and 45-70 and I'm hoping to do the same with .308 in my M1a. You can put it two ways , I'm either frugel or a tight a$$ I know high power shooters use it for 1000 yd matches but I dont know if they use a bolt or a gas gun. I'm not trying for top speed but I'd like to find a fairly accurate (under 2" @ 100yds) loads. It being a standard grade with chrome lined barrel, I know I will never get the 1/2 MOA that everybody else is striveing for. I'll get some 165 or 168's in A-max or SST and try agian. Thats the fun of it, I just don't want to break anything. Thanks for the reply Cajun __________________ Laizzes Les Bon Temps Rouler!

August 16, 2002, 02:00 PM	#5
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Some of us use the 4895 because its just cheap as dirt, not because we're geezers! I suppose if I were competing with the M1A, I'd look at switching to RL-15. __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

August 16, 2002, 05:43 PM	#6
Northwest Cajun Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 1999 Location: Spanaway Wa. &Lafayette La,(Cajun Country) Posts: 189	Steve, How is RL 15 with .223 and 30-06 ? Cajun __________________ Laizzes Les Bon Temps Rouler!

August 17, 2002, 10:03 AM	#9
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	I have no idea how 4895 works with .30-06 or RL-15. I've never loaded for 06, only .308. I could assume that they were the same, but I could be wrong. __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

August 16, 2002, 09:46 AM	#2
moredes Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Posts: 325	A few sources I trust (Zediker, Snipershide for two) say that Varget is too slow a powder for an M1A. 180 is the verymost upper limit on an unvented gun, and the consensus is 175 SMK's are the accepted normal heavyweight. Powders I've seen recommended without dissent are IMR 4064, IMR 4895, RL-15, Benchmark, WW748, Ramshot TAC, BL(C)-2, N140 and 150. There are volumnous posts on the 'net on the compatability of 4064 and 4895 use with the M1A. The IMR's and especially BL(C)-2, WW748 have a reputation of being sensitive to temperature. I have found sporadic input on the rest, here and there, with no real overwhelming trend towards any one of the other powders. Basically, the "geezers" shoot/stay with, the IMR's; the new blood or curious are trying the other powders. I suspect the lack of an overwhelming migration to one of the non IMR powders is more the unwillingness to leave a known load to experiment with another powder and work up a new load, coupled with the economics of having to abandon a successful powder to the shelf.

August 16, 2002, 10:43 AM	#4
sleeping dog Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2000 Location: MI Posts: 536	Cautious and conservative reloading is one way to ensure you live long enough to attain the status of "geezer" For experimenting with very slow or very fast powders or off-spec bullet weights, if I'm shooting my M1, I replace the gas tube plug with one that has a 1/8" hole drilled through it, turning the gun into a straight-pull bolt-action. No bent op-rods. I suppose the M14/M1A could work the same way. Regards.

August 17, 2002, 03:54 AM	#7
moredes Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Posts: 325	I use a vented cylinder too, on my M1A. Works just like Sleeping Dog says. Again I'd agree with Steve. I use 4064 because the 4895 just doesn't shoot as well and I have a ton of 64 I got free. Otherwise, I might show more patience in developing a satisfactory 4895 load, so I could qualify as a cheap geezer.

August 17, 2002, 07:18 AM	#8
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Accurate 4895 loads worth workin for. 4895 temp stability is great. Desert big horn or high country winter Elk......very little performance change. Safe. And inexpensive. Sam.....geezer qual many yars yor.

August 18, 2002, 10:58 PM	#10
hps1 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 425	4895 in 30-06 4895 is excellent powder for 150's & 168's in the 30-06, both gas guns and bolt guns. Regards, hps

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