M1a Loads
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JD,
The standard NATO Spec for 145 to 150gr ball ammo (your typical surplus) calls for 46gr of ball powder which is the approximate equivalent of Win 748.
I have had good results using between 46 and 46.5gr with 147gr FMJs, LC cases, and an OAL of 2.830. This typically shoots a tad bit better than any surplus I've come across (British, Port., or So African). While this load is only supposed to produce about 2750 fps, it tends to kick quite a bit more than similiar speed loads using 4064 or 4895. Plus, this load should zero about the same as your 165gr load.
The standard NATO Spec for 145 to 150gr ball ammo (your typical surplus) calls for 46gr of ball powder which is the approximate equivalent of Win 748.
I have had good results using between 46 and 46.5gr with 147gr FMJs, LC cases, and an OAL of 2.830. This typically shoots a tad bit better than any surplus I've come across (British, Port., or So African). While this load is only supposed to produce about 2750 fps, it tends to kick quite a bit more than similiar speed loads using 4064 or 4895. Plus, this load should zero about the same as your 165gr load.
JD,
You shouldn't have to worry about the pressure issue with 748 & 150gr bullets as long as you stay below 48gr of powder. As I said, 46gr of 748 is a match for the NATO standard for M80 ball ammo. If this load's pressure is too high - then all NATO surplus ammo is a bent Op rod waiting to happen.
You shouldn't have to worry about the pressure issue with 748 & 150gr bullets as long as you stay below 48gr of powder. As I said, 46gr of 748 is a match for the NATO standard for M80 ball ammo. If this load's pressure is too high - then all NATO surplus ammo is a bent Op rod waiting to happen.
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I use 44.2 grains of W748 with a 150 grain bullet in a Winchester case with a Win primer. This chorographs at 2580 fps at a ambient temperature of 90 degrees F.
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2.750
I currently use 748 @ 46gr w/150gr FMJBT, or Hornady 150gr SST.
I use IMI Match Brass, with CCI Mag Primers. I Debur flashholes and uniform primer pockets. These two loads chronograph out of my NM M1A at around 2780 fps. The 168gr Win. combined Tec. bullets burn 43.7gr of 748 for a chrono. vel. of 2680. I have also used W846 a surplus powder for 223 and 308. 44g of that with a 150gr FMJBT chrono's around 2750. All of these loads are accurate with decent velocity. When I first started loading for my M1A I tried Varget and was very disappointed. So I tried 748 and 846 and won't use anything else. Good luck and good shooting!
If your interested the 846 goes for $88 dollars, for 8lbs and that includes the
Haz. Mat. fee. I ordered these from WWW.Wideners.com. Have
been very satisfied with these folks. Good luck and good shooting. PS: O.A.L of loaded round is 2.800".
I use IMI Match Brass, with CCI Mag Primers. I Debur flashholes and uniform primer pockets. These two loads chronograph out of my NM M1A at around 2780 fps. The 168gr Win. combined Tec. bullets burn 43.7gr of 748 for a chrono. vel. of 2680. I have also used W846 a surplus powder for 223 and 308. 44g of that with a 150gr FMJBT chrono's around 2750. All of these loads are accurate with decent velocity. When I first started loading for my M1A I tried Varget and was very disappointed. So I tried 748 and 846 and won't use anything else. Good luck and good shooting!
If your interested the 846 goes for $88 dollars, for 8lbs and that includes the
Haz. Mat. fee. I ordered these from WWW.Wideners.com. Have
been very satisfied with these folks. Good luck and good shooting. PS: O.A.L of loaded round is 2.800".
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162 Posts
I just loaded some 150's with IMR 4895 last night. First time with the 150's but after referencing 3 load manuals I settled on 41.5 as a starting point. Maybe conservative. The load was Sierra 150 sp, 41.5 gr 4895, Fed 210 primers, LC once fired brass, OAL 2.775
4895 behind 165's didnt do great for me (4", 5-shots, 105 yds, prone, irons) but it was consistent so I may tinker there some more. I've not been reloading for 308 for very long but to date I've had good success with IMR 4064 around 41.5 to 42.0 gr in commercial brass, best being 2 3/4", avg 3" (105, prone, irons).
I love the 4064 but I had one round 'bridge' the long flakes in my Dillon 550B and squib it for me. The bullet exited the barrel but it didnt cycle the action. A little disconcerting there but good results.
Any of you guys ever use BLC-2 in your 308's? I just got some, heard it was the original powder made for 308?
4895 behind 165's didnt do great for me (4", 5-shots, 105 yds, prone, irons) but it was consistent so I may tinker there some more. I've not been reloading for 308 for very long but to date I've had good success with IMR 4064 around 41.5 to 42.0 gr in commercial brass, best being 2 3/4", avg 3" (105, prone, irons).
I love the 4064 but I had one round 'bridge' the long flakes in my Dillon 550B and squib it for me. The bullet exited the barrel but it didnt cycle the action. A little disconcerting there but good results.
Any of you guys ever use BLC-2 in your 308's? I just got some, heard it was the original powder made for 308?
Stick powder seems to burn hotter. Ball powder measures more uniformly. Stick powder works better with tracers, for the rest use Ball. Above all use Mag primers with ball powder. If they go booom! booom! booom! You got it right! Good luck and good shooting!
I've been doing some experimenting with the Mag primers with 748 & BL-C(2) and I agree...............I'm getting more consistent groups with the mag primers.
In my M1A - 44.5gr of 748, CCI Mag Primers, LC brass, 147gr FMJs set to an OAL of 2.790" and 44.8gr of BL-C(2) with identical settings ................. serve my purposes well and shoot interchangeably to the same point of impact.
It ain't quite match ammo...............but it's close enough for my 3 position shooting skills at this point.
:cannon:
In my M1A - 44.5gr of 748, CCI Mag Primers, LC brass, 147gr FMJs set to an OAL of 2.790" and 44.8gr of BL-C(2) with identical settings ................. serve my purposes well and shoot interchangeably to the same point of impact.
It ain't quite match ammo...............but it's close enough for my 3 position shooting skills at this point.
:cannon:
Mr Driver: I use Ball Powder if possible because it use to measure more accurately throught powder measures. If you use the new electronic/ computerized/ inferred measures, that work well with every powder, by all means use the powder that work best, cleanest, with decent velocity. Good luck and good shooting.
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