Fellow Reloaders,
I have a question, specifically on reloading for the M1A.
Very soon I'll be buying an M1A and I've read in various places (online) that reloading with 168 gr Match bullets, the 'sweet spot' is somewhere around 2550 to 2600 fps is where you find the best accuracy.
Is this true? I'm asking specifically to those who have an M1A and reload for it.
When it comes to brass prep, primer seating, and such, I am very well versed in reloading first for safety and reliability. No problems there.
Accuracy is what I'm asking about.
I'll be purchasing one of the 'Loaded' versions of the M1A. Now that Springfield Armory has quit on the national match versions, even used ones have gone out of sight for price. Owners are VERY proud of them. I'll make do with a Loaded version. One could call it a 'National Match Lite' version.
Anyway, chime in if you have a take.
In Liberty,
Gus
Those numbers are what I found worked well with my M1A loaded, Sierra and Hornady HPBT had different impact points but grouping was similar.
175 grain Sierra HPBT also shoot remarkably well.
If you'll permit,
A long time ago I bought an FNAR and an M1A. Much later, I acquired an HK-91. I've spoken with FNH, and Springfield Armory, and H&K, and I inquired what these rifles chambered. The M1A said .308, the FNAR said 7.62x51, and zee Germans said Kal. 308. As you know, .308 is hotter than 7.62x51. What's interesting is there is a headspace overlap between the two cartridges, and both SA and FNH said that the rifles can handle .308 (for the power) and 7.62x51 for the slightly longer headspace.
I mention this because, if you hand load for this rifle, it may like headspace out on the far end of the .308 range.
Yes, 168 grain bullets work very well. I'm hitting 2480 @ 100yds , so 2550-2600 fps sounds good at the muzzle. It was designed to be a fighting rifle not a competition rifle so if you want accuracy you need to baby it.
Im not YET running and M1A, but my 308 load is EXCELLENT. Try 168 BTHPM, I like Sierras, with 42.9 grains of H4895 and #34 arsenal primer. Im getting 2650 FPS and extremely accurate.
Also, if you're not aware, there is a difference between loading .308 Win headstamp brass and 7.62x51 brass.
Generally speaking, 7.62 brass is thicker walled, and you drop the powder charge weight to accommodate for the lower case capacity.
The rule of thumb, for example, with H4895 is to drop one grain. A well documented competition recipe is 42.5 gr H4895 with a 168 gr Sierra HPBT in .308 Win commercial brass, 41.5 gr with 7.62x51 (Lake City) brass.
Each brass manufacturer will vary a little bit, and you may be dancing a few 10ths of a grain around those numbers.