I often cross post with other "firearms forums" thus the subtle AS advertising. Preaching to the choir here.
I sometimes chrono mil-surp ammo, run it thru a ballistic program, and if needed, can customize my come ups.
The 3 loads were:
M2 Greek (Pyrkal) headstamped as "HXP 68", "HXP 70" and "HXP 73"
Most of this if not all is 150 gr. flat and open base (I have weighed stuff from 150-152) ball ammunition, non-corrosive and boxer primed. The stuff is fully-reloadable, high quality brass cartridge cases.
This ammunition is extremely accurate from my M1 Garand, 1903, 03A3, and most of all my other bolt rifles from actual experience.
My M1 rifle will hold 2-3 MOA at 500M on the steel 4.5 MOA steel square with the Greek. This is from a slung up prone position on a pad, shooting jacket and GI web sling.
As you know, this ammunition is also used by competition shooters at JCG matches and at the National matches at Camp Perry, OH.
IMHE Greek HXP ammo is superior to much more expensive ammo sold commercially. Remember: THIS AMMO ATTRACTS A MAGNET.
I just got back from the range and here is the pile of stuff fresh from the truck.
(http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7461/m1test68hxp.jpg) (http://img408.imageshack.us/i/m1test68hxp.jpg/)
Chrono: F1 Chrony.
Elevation: 4100 feet
Temps: 56 degrees/6-8 mph breeze
Time: 12:30 PM
Here are the specs of the CMP 73 stuff:
COL was 3.320"
Brass had typical green primer sealant.
Hey, ever wondered what lurks inside the case in regards to what type of powder and how much?
I did, so here is a pic with specs of the pulled 73' HXP parts:
(http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/4766/hxp1.jpg) (http://img600.imageshack.us/i/hxp1.jpg/)
It was loaded with 48 grains of a very fine grained ball type powder.
Bullet weight was exactly 150.5 grains with a very weakly defined cannelure.
Bullet was an open FB and had a very tiny bit of black sealant on it at the base.
Here are the velocities, 1 en-bloc clip of 8:
From my M1 Danish barreled, with Danish parts:
1968 HXP
MV: 2775 fps.
ES: 34 fps.
1970 HXP, same rifle:
MV:2786 fps.
ES: 46 fps.
1973 HXP, same rifle:
MV: 2692
ES: 47 fps.
Just for grins I tested some 1968 HXP in a Tikka T3 rifle that boasts "sub-moa". It does with selected stuff.
MV: 2784 fps.
ES: 31 fps.
The accuracy was exactly 3 MOA.
Apparently the Danes do not like Greek food.
Thanks great info!
My M1 does just right at the same 2785 with the 68 HXP at 600ft. and 70 deg. ES right in the same area too.
Thanks for the info Taos. I have heard that folks get different results even between lots within the headstamps. I have not had the time to chrony any of the CMP ammp.
(as a side note they don't use the Greek at Perry anymore for CMP week. for the last 3 years they have been using Hornady M1 Garand ammo)
The Hornady ammo used at the National GCG match is awesome. I shot a clean with 4 X's (? I forgot how many) last August in the prone rapid. Darn near won the whole dang thing except I blew it in the offhand. The match officials sure wander away fast as soon as they realize you have dropped enough points to be out of it... I think I ended up with a 186 overall...
Back to the thread, the HXP truly is great M1 fodder. Buy it while you can. It is good brass for the next reload too.
I have a can of Olympic, Greek 30.06 that I bought from the CMP in the early days. It is NOT the same as HXP. It functions in the M1 but the muzzle blast and flash is truly fearsome. Very little recoil. I am shooting the rest of it out of a bolt gun. If you have any of this and are saving it, I wouldn't.
Nice lookin' M1 Dan!