Cast bullets in m1a
- Thread starter thegunnut
- Start date
Sluggo_m14
CGN Regular
- Location
- State of Disbelief
I don't have any experience, but did read that there are some concerns about lead shavings and sticking firing pins (very bad thing in the M14).-Here are some varying points of view-
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=113113
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=113113
just having some fun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Cast bullets in a M1a /m305 /garand is possible / has bee done with out leading or only minor leading
I have Shot 400 cast round through a m305 with out cleaning and no visible lead ( got rained on and cleaned at the 400 mark)
check out h t t p://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=3558 -----> 9-10 pages of info on site, equals about 4 pages of good info
best results (from reading) 1:11 or 1:12 twist --> alow you to push bullet faster 1:10 can also be used but maybe more work
gas check required on bullet base
Most important for correct functioning gas port pressure has to be in the normal operating zone
powder selection and bullet selection up to the rifle to chose-- shape -- weight--speed try a bullet more than 160g or heaver to start
Group size may or not be better than Jacketed ---depends on the rifle -
Low charge volume/ weight might make your load position sensitive
I have Shot 400 cast round through a m305 with out cleaning and no visible lead ( got rained on and cleaned at the 400 mark)
check out h t t p://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=3558 -----> 9-10 pages of info on site, equals about 4 pages of good info
best results (from reading) 1:11 or 1:12 twist --> alow you to push bullet faster 1:10 can also be used but maybe more work
gas check required on bullet base
Most important for correct functioning gas port pressure has to be in the normal operating zone
powder selection and bullet selection up to the rifle to chose-- shape -- weight--speed try a bullet more than 160g or heaver to start
Group size may or not be better than Jacketed ---depends on the rifle -
Low charge volume/ weight might make your load position sensitive
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The most accurate cast bullet loads I found for my Norc M305 only produce enough pressure to eject the empty case, recock the hammer, but doesn't push the bolt back far enough to chamber another round. I've managed to get just over 1" @ 50yds.
Loads that can fully cycle the action tend to be significantly less accurate. I haven't gotten below ~3" @ 50yds with cast bullet loads that cycle the bolt.
I've fired hundreds of cast loads through my M305 and have never had barrel leading. I have occasionally found tiny flakes of lead in my gas piston but only a few among the carbon fouling.
I always use gas checks for .308 loads and size the bullets to .311" for good measure (and because then I can keep the same inventory of cast bullets for reloading 7.62x54R as well).
Many use H4831 for cast bullets in M1A's/M305's but I have found even compressed loads leave unburnt powder in my chamber that screws up the chambering of the next round. Same with IMR 4831.
H4895 reliably cycles the action but provides the worst accuracy. I've used loads from 33 to 42 grains.
SR-4759 produced good groups but wouldn't cycle the bolt far enough to chamber the next round. 20-26 grains.
H4198 produced the smallest groups but of the two 5 shot tests I did for cycling 25 grains only chambered the next round 3/5 times and 30 grains 4/5 times. I'm going to test 32 grains and 34 grains next weekend with larger (maybe 20 round) batches for reliability.
Loads that can fully cycle the action tend to be significantly less accurate. I haven't gotten below ~3" @ 50yds with cast bullet loads that cycle the bolt.
I've fired hundreds of cast loads through my M305 and have never had barrel leading. I have occasionally found tiny flakes of lead in my gas piston but only a few among the carbon fouling.
I always use gas checks for .308 loads and size the bullets to .311" for good measure (and because then I can keep the same inventory of cast bullets for reloading 7.62x54R as well).
Many use H4831 for cast bullets in M1A's/M305's but I have found even compressed loads leave unburnt powder in my chamber that screws up the chambering of the next round. Same with IMR 4831.
H4895 reliably cycles the action but provides the worst accuracy. I've used loads from 33 to 42 grains.
SR-4759 produced good groups but wouldn't cycle the bolt far enough to chamber the next round. 20-26 grains.
H4198 produced the smallest groups but of the two 5 shot tests I did for cycling 25 grains only chambered the next round 3/5 times and 30 grains 4/5 times. I'm going to test 32 grains and 34 grains next weekend with larger (maybe 20 round) batches for reliability.
