Handloading for M305/m14
- Thread starter RobP
- Start date
My buddy has a M305,loves it.It's more accurate than the M-14 he once had and a lot of bolt action hunting rifles. He uses the old US Army match load of 175 Sierra and W-748.I don't know how much powder,I wasn't that interested,it's a clankety clank 308.They say the 175 can be hard on the rod,but it was the match load. I know he uses standard RCBS 308 dies. The M-14 chews brass,so it's a good place for that once fired stuff.
Yes to all three. Full length resizing is mandatory for semi's. You'll find 165 grain hunting bullets give good, consistent, accuracy. 168 grain match bullets, carefully loaded, the best accuracy. IMR4064 for the powder and regular large rifle primers. And keep a close eye on the case and loaded round length.
Commercial brass is fine. However, if you opt for milsurp, you'll have to reduce the charges by 10% as the cases are a bit thicker so their capacity is a bit less. The only problem I've ever had with commercial brass out of a semi-auto is finding it after the shot.
Small based dies won't bother the case. They're not necessary if you use a FL sizer die though.
Commercial brass is fine. However, if you opt for milsurp, you'll have to reduce the charges by 10% as the cases are a bit thicker so their capacity is a bit less. The only problem I've ever had with commercial brass out of a semi-auto is finding it after the shot.
Small based dies won't bother the case. They're not necessary if you use a FL sizer die though.
I use H4895 powder under 165 or 168 grian bullets. Be sure to use a hard primer and not soft Federals. Apparently the soft federals have a slight risk of out of battery ingnition. (Sure it's rare, but why tempt fate) Winchester primers seem to work well for me.
Ther eare some folks that swear buy neck sizing, as long as you test fit each case before loading powder, bullets, etc., but I will keep on full length sizing sa I trend to trust the hundreds or thousand of M14 reloaders versus a few guys dedicated to neck sizing.
Ther eare some folks that swear buy neck sizing, as long as you test fit each case before loading powder, bullets, etc., but I will keep on full length sizing sa I trend to trust the hundreds or thousand of M14 reloaders versus a few guys dedicated to neck sizing.
I have limited experience with this but have had great results .
I followed Mysticplayers advice on his website .
H4895 powder , cci benchrest primer , 168 grain bthp match bullet .
I only neck sized ( Why stretch the brass again ? ) and then did a factory crimp , using Lee products throughout .
They have worked very well so far .
I followed Mysticplayers advice on his website .
H4895 powder , cci benchrest primer , 168 grain bthp match bullet .
I only neck sized ( Why stretch the brass again ? ) and then did a factory crimp , using Lee products throughout .
They have worked very well so far .
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Here is the link to my site with info for loading the M305/M1A. Mine thrived on 155gr Amax and I bet the Lapuas would rock too. Benchmark would be my powder of choice lit by Fed 210M (CCI BR2 also excellent as is Win LR if you don't want to spend for a match primer).
I used surplus (NATO stamped), Fed GM (can't get anymore...sad) and Win brass (my preference). All excellent. As long as you follow the warnings and required checks, neck sizing works just fine in this rifle.
However, the first thing you need to consider is how well that rifle is bedded. If there is slop in the bedding or gas system, all the loading in the world will not help as you will get very inconsistent results.
Once 'locked up' solid, reloading will show excellent results. All the M305's I have worked on/tuned for myself and others have outshot every Springfield M1A I am aware of that didn't have a match barrel installed.
Jerry
http://mysticplayer.netfirms.com/
I used surplus (NATO stamped), Fed GM (can't get anymore...sad) and Win brass (my preference). All excellent. As long as you follow the warnings and required checks, neck sizing works just fine in this rifle.
However, the first thing you need to consider is how well that rifle is bedded. If there is slop in the bedding or gas system, all the loading in the world will not help as you will get very inconsistent results.
Once 'locked up' solid, reloading will show excellent results. All the M305's I have worked on/tuned for myself and others have outshot every Springfield M1A I am aware of that didn't have a match barrel installed.
Jerry
http://mysticplayer.netfirms.com/
