Load suggestions for an M14??

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Iron Sighted

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Hey guys, I'm gonna be buying a reloading set up this weekend and I'm wondering if some of you who load for your M14's have any load recipes or components that you have found to be quite accurate that you'd be willing to share. I have the Hornady loading manual and it has a few listed that are made specifically for the M1A so I may start there, but thought I'd ask what others have had success with. Also, can anyone recommend somewhere in the Vancouver area that stocks a wide selection of powders and bullets??

Thanks.
 
My Loads - Still work in Progress

I know that I posted on another thread, just can't find it. Oh ya..I did, on your previous thread.

I have gotten some incredibly tight groups with my recipe. I full length resize and leave about 0.005" for the resize. I neck trim, using the case tolerance measurements found in most reloading manuals. I full size due to the fact that I have a tight chamber already and not much effort to resize.

My best recipe is 150 gr hornady BTSP's, 250 magnum primers, Win 748 @ 45.5 gr. Another good one is using 4064 @ 43.5gr with standard rifle primers. Win powder seems to shoot much better (groups) and there is less debris in barrel and piston to clean out after.

Also, Win 748 seems to produce better groups in colder weather.

Another interesting observation was the comparison between factory (Rem and Win) ammo, 150 grs. There was slightly more case deformation and in a few rounds and really flat primers, which I interpret as signs of excessive pressure. My 748 recipe has consistent casing measurements and very little primer deformation.

I use the magnum primers due to the extra charge (supposedly) but more so for the harder primer. Standard primers tend to be a bit softer and I have noticed differences in how the firing pin strikes the primer.

I am still experimenting with loads and will keep everyone posted. I did note somewhere in the published data that the M14's are designed to function at 2,700 fps to 2,800 fps with 150 gr bullets. Some on the forum use 165's and 168's. I choose to stick to original "design" specifications because I'm anal that way. I shoot for just over the 2,700 range, based on powder charges.

Most of all, these are my recipes, which I have tailored for my rifle are based on my observations, reloading data and the specs for factory and NATO rounds (which are completely different). Your rifle is going to be different, so start with lower primer/powder combinations, say 2,550 or 2,600 velocities and work up loads from there. Load up about 20 or so and measure your groups. With your recipes, the goal is tighter groups, without overloading. and then compare with mine.

It would be foolish to start with my loads just because that is what I do. Besides, tailoring your custom load is half the fun.

Happy shooting
 
Good on you for starting with a loading manual. So many people seem to try to get into reloading without one. Proven propellants for the M14, which generate the proper gas port pressure and provide good accuracy, include IMR3031, IMR4895, IMR 4064, H4895, W748, BLC2 and H335.

IMR 4895 is a benchmark powder for this application. There is an old saying that if your .308 won't shoot well with IMR 4895, then you have a rifle problem. I used to reload extensively for My HRA M14 and found that IMR 3031 produced the best accuracy with a variety of bullets. I have shot all of the non-match grade 150gr FMJBT bullets in a number of Garands, M14, M1903 and M1917 rifles and have found the Hornady 150gr FMJBT to be the best.
 
smak_daddy said:
This will help you out.

http://www.zediker.com/downloads/14_loading.pdf
Click to expand...

I see the recommendation of SB dies. I have always used them for auto's.

I have never reloaded for a M-14 but i do like the sound of the previous gents 150/748 loading. I think the 748 and the .308 are like peaches and cream. Not necessarily bench rest accurate but damn accurate and auto cycle friendly. The load i sold for years to Co-workers for Deer was the most accurate in my BLR and Parker Hale 1200c even against more expensive bullets and that was a 165 Hornady Spire point in front of 46.5 grs Win748/CCi250 primer. Cheap load to reload and very accurate and very deadly on Deer ,though you probaly won't be hunting with it. Remember to have a good manual and use powders/load combos others recommend, only against established data and start low working up like 5 rounds at a time, half a grain at a time till pressure signs are noted then back off. I found pressure signs, i didnt like in a factory type load to reliabily function, in the pet load above in Speer No 10 for the 165 gr @47.5 max. i dropped 1 gr and presto i loved it. If i was loading for the M-14 today i probaly start as the gentlemen mentioned earlier with 150 Hornadys and unless you want performance out pass 400 yds maybe the flatbase will be a little easier on the throat. The other gents 150/45.5 748 sounds like a good speed/port pressure/barrel life combo.


Again reload from published data and understand the fundamentals of safe handloading, starting low and working up! Invest in a front and rear bag setup to get true comparison when working up comparative loads. Any other way is a waste of your time and money.

Handloading is not to be feared by it is to be RESPECTED. Inspect the loaded cartridges on your bench individually with good light to ensure they are all filled correctly. If you ever get a pop with little recoil, STOP!! Do not do a clearance drill and fire. You may have had a case with little or no powder and you have a bullet driven into the first few inches of your barrel by the primer's pressure it's self. It's one thing i always feared in the heat of the moment firing at a running Buck deer. Always inspect each case individually. And only one powder on the bench at one time please. Don't want to sound elementary but you need to learn all the safety related to reloading and you will enjoy the hobby for many many years. I stressed the cartridge check for powder because an accomplished handloader my age and many years at the bench just drove a bullet into the barrel of his 22-250 heavy barrel varmint rifle while shooting next to me on our range. He always used the good light principle but i guess the big case, small neck ,less than full case load caught him.:canadaFlag:
 
I have also used W748 in 308 and 150g
started with around 43-44g and worked up

in the test i did i worked up to win max load loads were all safe to fire --primers a bit flat -- but not excessive---
max loads are a big no no if you want to reload brass you will not get long brass life
had to re lube brass after 1/2 stroke resized (sticking)
but brass that was loaded to the max had primer pockets enlarged so i had to toss some of it

I also noticed in my test that brass streched more as the powder level went up and base dia and shoulder dia went up

so the load i use now w:h:i only neck size and only full length resize every 4-5 firings or when a neck sized (brass only) sticks in a clean chamber:D
 
just having some fun said:
I have also used W748 in 308 and 150g
started with around 43-44g and worked up

in the test i did i worked up to win max load loads were all safe to fire --primers a bit flat -- but not excessive---
max loads are a big no no if you want to reload brass you will not get long brass life
had to re lube brass after 1/2 stroke resized (sticking)
but brass that was loaded to the max had primer pockets enlarged so i had to toss some of it

I also noticed in my test that brass streched more as the powder level went up and base dia and shoulder dia went up

so the load i use now w:h:i only neck size and only full length resize every 4-5 firings or when a neck sized (brass only) sticks in a clean chamber:D
Click to expand...

No reliablity issues with the M-14 and not full lenght resizing?:wave:
 
RememberTheSomme said:
No reliablity issues with the M-14 and not full lenght resizing?:wave:
Click to expand...

Yes I Only neck size for 4-5 loading then full length size but only till brass will chamber(not pushing back the shoulder to factory spec)

On a side note the chamber in my Norinco is almost the same size as my Sako
the sako brass will go in to the Norinco and the norinco brass will go in to the sako
WITH EXTRA HAND PRESSURE ON THE BOLT of the sako but does not want to come out easy (only done once by accident)

So all my brass is marked on the box bolt or Semi it goes into the tumbler 50 pcs at a time so it does not get mixed with brass from the other rifle as the wife likes the bolt and i shoot the semi and i come home with a bunch of empty brass every trip to the range:D

I also aneal my brass when i do a full length resize
 
My load that gets me about ~1 MOA is very similar to valtro12's:

42gr H4895
Sierra 155gr HPBT Palma Match King
Lapua brass
CCI BR2's
And I full-length size the brass and use the Lee factory crimp too
Velocity averages for me at around 2650FPS (what a coincidence!)


valtro12 said:
My best load for the M14 is:
42.5 grn H4895
Nosler 155 grn hpbt match
Velocity= 2675
Click to expand...
 
just having some fun said:
Yes I Only neck size for 4-5 loading then full length size but only till brass will chamber(not pushing back the shoulder to factory spec)

On a side note the chamber in my Norinco is almost the same size as my Sako
the sako brass will go in to the Norinco and the norinco brass will go in to the sako
WITH EXTRA HAND PRESSURE ON THE BOLT of the sako but does not want to come out easy (only done once by accident)

So all my brass is marked on the box bolt or Semi it goes into the tumbler 50 pcs at a time so it does not get mixed with brass from the other rifle as the wife likes the bolt and i shoot the semi and i come home with a bunch of empty brass every trip to the range:D

I also aneal my brass when i do a full length resize
Click to expand...

thanks for the info. Gives me an idea where to start with the M-14s when i get one. :wave:
 
Hey guys, I'm gonna be buying a reloading set up this weekend and I'm wondering if some of you who load for your M14's have any load recipes or components that you have found to be quite accurate that you'd be willing to share.
Click to expand...

Internals:

a) Sadlak piston, Sadlak Spring guide, USGI spring, Recoil buffer.

Externals:

b) Redfield 4-12X 40MM scope.
c) ARMS 18 mount.

There's 2 things you'll need to perfect:

1) The load.... and more importantly.............................!
2) The load related to the gas system. The most important factor.

This isn't a bolt rifle, the gas system and it's operation is crucial.
It's a very difficult rifle to nail a load down to.

Load:

Winchester commercial .308 brass.
Hornady/Remington 150 gr FMJ, IMR 8208 XBR @ 44gr. (CPU of 60,800, high end of the scale)
(CPU - Copper units of pressure or CUP, and the related lead units of pressure or LUP, are terms applied to pressure measurements used in the field of internal ballistics for the estimation of chamber pressures in firearms.)

CCI 200 LR primers.

Primer Depth - .003 -.008

Chamfer each case

Case Length - 2.005 -2.007
Overall length - 2.707 -2.713

NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! NECK SIZE! (I could possibly say it again.........)

LIGHT crimp.

300 yrd gong machine.

Or....3 & 3/4 to 4 inch 300 yrd groups.

You'll get s**tE results out of new brass (fresh loads), just expect it.
It's not chamber formed yet and will be all over the place.

Above all, ENJOY THE JOURNEY and the addiction :mad:

:50cal:
 
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