M1A RELOADING QUESTION

[cruzerlou]

Hey folks,
Does anybody have any reloading data for loading service rifle ammo for my M1A? I'm using a 168gr.Serria Match King B.T.H.P. and IMR 4064 powder.The IMR reloading chart states a starting load of 41.5 gr to a 45.1C load .I have been told that loading for the M1A should start out at 36.1 to 41.6 grs.of 4064 .My worry is loading too hot and bending the Orp.rod in my rifle .So I guess my question is should I start at 36.1 or am I safe for my rifle at around 42.0grs? Any help would be greatly apperacated .
Thanks,
Lou

 

[Tenbore]

My normal load is 41.5g of IMR4895 and a 168g SMK.

I have not yet worked up loads for 4064.

 

[DeletedMember275]

Give Hornady a call; they have a section for .308 M1A data in their manual. If you're nice, maybe they'll e-mail you a .PDF copy.

 

[dougader]

That was a major mistake...

for 7.62/308:

Hornady 6th, M1A rifle, 168 bthp, IMR 4064, 2.800" COAL

start
36.1 @ 2100 fps

37.4 @ 2200 fps

38.8 @ 2300 fps

40.2 @ 2400 fps

41.6 @ 2500 fps MAX

 

[cruzerlou]

I tried that Enigma ,no go All thet would tell me was starting and max loads with the Serria M.K.,-36.1-41.6 and no perssure info .They said I had to buy their manual So I guess I'll have to start over .Now I have 20 rounds loaded 10 at 42.0 and 10 at 42.5.. I'll have to go buy a manual and bullet puller and start over .I need case and O.A. lingth Figures too .
Thanks for your help & advice guys,

Lou

 

[DGW1949]

Some random thoughts on subject:

Most of the loads that you find in the "manuals" are for bolt guns. Some of them will beat-up a gas-gun in short order. What ever you do, be real cautious about using the loads you see on Hodgden's web site. That, and be aware that the "H" powders that have the same numbers behind the letter AINT interchangable with the "IMR" powders that have the same numbers. That is particularly important with a gas gun because you've not only got chamber-pressures to watch, you got port-pressure concerns that the bolt-gun guys don't have to worry over.

In the beginning, M1A's was built on cast recievers with the reainder of the gun using surplus USGI M14 parts. As surplus parts became harder to come by, SA Inc began using more and more cast parts. If you bought yours new within the past decade or so, odds are that dern-near eveything in it is cast.
Early-on, SA had enough failures with their cast bolts to warrant a recall. If you are fooling around with an older "all cast" SA M1A, ya might want to give them a call and discuss that with them.

It's the M1 Garrand that is famous for having the "bent oprod" problem. The M1A don't use the same gas system as the M1. Two different animals, with the M1A being the stronger of the two....at least as the gas system goes.

IMR4895 is a very good powder for the M1A. IMR4064 will work fine too. Most every match shooter that still uses an M1A these days has switched to Varget.
IMO, you're on the right track with your choice of bullet. The Sierra 168MK is perty-much the standard that the others are judged by. The same could be also be said for Federal's Gold Medal Match Primers. When your shooting way out there, what primer you're using does matter.

T'were it me, and t'were I wanting some expert advice on loading for an M1A, I'd be getting ahold of one of the techs at Sierra. Them guys know their stuff.

Hope something here helps.

DGW

 

[cruzerlou]

Thanks Doug thats just what I needed ,and the rest of you thanks for the advice .My M1A "loaded" was bought new about 3 years ago ,hell I had to wait 16 months for it because of backorders .doug , your info will get me started in the right direction and I'll pick up a service rifle manual and a bullet puller to dis assemlbe the loads I've loaded .I'd shoot them if I still has a bolt gun but I traded it to help pay for the M1A so a pullin I will go .At least this way I won't have to resise the cases and reprim them + I'll save the bullets .I'll give the boys at Serria a call to pick there brains too .Again thanks too all ,
Your friend ,
Lou

 

[Cherokee]

I had good results with IMR 4064 @ 41.0 gr and SMK 168 @ 2.778" COAL, using LC match cases and Win LR primers. Going .5 gr higher opened up the groups. This in my 1980's standard M1A.