Reloading for the M1A

fpchief · August 19, 2011, 10:48 PM

Got me a new rifle, have a whole bunch of .308 M118 LR pulled bullets and some new SMK's. Got a BUNCH of BLC-2, and H335. ANyone got any gotta know advice on reloading for the M1A? Will be loading for the mag so i guess there will be none of this "just of the lands" that i do for the 5R. Any advice is appreciated...

Kip

oakfloor · August 20, 2011, 01:42 AM

CCI # 34 primers are a little harder, as to prevent "slam" fires im told. I have never had one with any reloads in mine. I always full length size and use a Wilson case gauge to check my cases. Mil cases [LC 90] seem to last longer for me. My best load so far is 42.0 grains of AA 2520 under a 168 hornady BTHP, with a Fed match primer, for about 2550 FPS. IIRC BLC-2 is a ball powder version of 4895, or close to it, and H335 works well in mine with 150's. Have fun with it.

mehavey · August 20, 2011, 04:25 AM

Download & read/study this:

http://www.zediker.com/downloads/m14.html

M14 reloading is one of those activities where a "...little knowledge is a somewhat dangerous thing."

T. O'Heir · August 20, 2011, 09:41 PM

"...reloading for the M1A..." Same as for any semi-auto. FL resizing every time, watch the case lengths and OAL. Otherwise, it's no different than loading for anything else.
SA Inc. voids the warrantee for using reloads though. Just a CYA thing for them.
BL-C2 is a good .308 powder. So is IMR4064, IMR or H 4895(close, but not the same) or Varget.
You do not need CCI's "milspec" primers. Those are just magnum primers. Regular primers will be fine as long as you seat 'em properly.

kraigwy · August 20, 2011, 10:06 PM

The go to load for the M1A/M14 is 41.5 grns of 4895 in either LC or Winchester brass and either 168 or 175 SMKs, and Federal Match Primers. It's been the standard for high power for years.

Some rifles like the above load with Hornady 168s.

Jimro · August 21, 2011, 12:32 AM

41.5 grains of IMR 4064 under a 168gr BTHP is also a real tight shooter, I pulled the recipe from one of Sierras "accuracy loads". The velocity isn't all that high, but for accuracy it printed five holes touching through my buddies rifle.

Jimro

fpchief · August 21, 2011, 12:41 AM

thank y'all for the info!!!

Kevin Rohrer · August 21, 2011, 01:48 AM

If you're serious about your new blaster, here's THE site to join:

http://m14forum.com/

August 19, 2011, 10:48 PM	#1
fpchief Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2010 Posts: 122	Reloading for the M1A Got me a new rifle, have a whole bunch of .308 M118 LR pulled bullets and some new SMK's. Got a BUNCH of BLC-2, and H335. ANyone got any gotta know advice on reloading for the M1A? Will be loading for the mag so i guess there will be none of this "just of the lands" that i do for the 5R. Any advice is appreciated... Kip

August 20, 2011, 09:41 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...reloading for the M1A..." Same as for any semi-auto. FL resizing every time, watch the case lengths and OAL. Otherwise, it's no different than loading for anything else. SA Inc. voids the warrantee for using reloads though. Just a CYA thing for them. BL-C2 is a good .308 powder. So is IMR4064, IMR or H 4895(close, but not the same) or Varget. You do not need CCI's "milspec" primers. Those are just magnum primers. Regular primers will be fine as long as you seat 'em properly. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 20, 2011, 10:06 PM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	The go to load for the M1A/M14 is 41.5 grns of 4895 in either LC or Winchester brass and either 168 or 175 SMKs, and Federal Match Primers. It's been the standard for high power for years. Some rifles like the above load with Hornady 168s. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

August 21, 2011, 12:32 AM	#6
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	41.5 grains of IMR 4064 under a 168gr BTHP is also a real tight shooter, I pulled the recipe from one of Sierras "accuracy loads". The velocity isn't all that high, but for accuracy it printed five holes touching through my buddies rifle. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

August 21, 2011, 01:48 AM	#8
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	If you're serious about your new blaster, here's THE site to join: http://m14forum.com/ __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

August 20, 2011, 01:42 AM	#2
oakfloor Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2009 Posts: 111	CCI # 34 primers are a little harder, as to prevent "slam" fires im told. I have never had one with any reloads in mine. I always full length size and use a Wilson case gauge to check my cases. Mil cases [LC 90] seem to last longer for me. My best load so far is 42.0 grains of AA 2520 under a 168 hornady BTHP, with a Fed match primer, for about 2550 FPS. IIRC BLC-2 is a ball powder version of 4895, or close to it, and H335 works well in mine with 150's. Have fun with it.

August 20, 2011, 04:25 AM	#3
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,886	Download & read/study this: http://www.zediker.com/downloads/m14.html M14 reloading is one of those activities where a "...little knowledge is a somewhat dangerous thing."

August 21, 2011, 12:41 AM	#7
fpchief Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2010 Posts: 122	thank y'all for the info!!!