Loading for an M1A National Match rifle for the first time.

thump_rrr

thump_rrr

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Montreal Qc.
I've never reloaded for an M1A before but I have reloaded for other autoloaders such as my SKS and my AR's.

What I have on hand is the following components:

Brass Trimmed to 2.005 with primer pockets uniformed to max depth
(200) FC Once Fired
(500) PMC Once Fired
(100) Winchester Once Fired
(200) Lapua Used for my bolt gun which I would prefer not to use.

Primers
CCI #200
CCI BR-2
Federal 210M

Projectiles
168gr SMK

Powder
Varget
IMR 8208 (XBR)


I have a Dillon .308 case gauge to setup my dies.
I also have a Hornady Heaspace Gauge and Bullet Comparator Set if needed.
I have a set of Lee Deluxe dies which has a full length die and also have a Lee Factory Crimp Die.


My main concerns are that I do not have any LC brass, CCI#34 primers or IMR 4895.

I have several weeks before my rifle arrives but I would like to be prepared for when it gets here.
I may have a line on some IMR 4895 since I know a club member who bought a full case when the panic began.

Does anybody know how much water weight LC cases hold?
Any starting loads or other suggestions?
Any tools that I would need?
I just would not like to blow my hands or face off.
I am planning to attend Hungry's M14 clinic next month if time permits.

Thanks in advance
 
I will start mine with 155 gr Scenars and R-15, Nosler cases (Norma) and BR-2, will keep under 2800 fps to make sure to fit the mag... JP.
 
caramel said:
I will start mine with 155 gr Scenars and R-15, Nosler cases (Norma) and BR-2, will keep under 2800 fps to make sure to fit the mag... JP.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that you bought the rifle from Clay and that there were 2 of them.
I didn't know that they were available.
I PM'd him as soon as I saw your post.
I was at the range yesterday and drooling over somebody's M305 in a USGI stock with USGI parts.
 
My thoughts:
I'd recommend keeping away from Federal primers - they are generally too soft. CCI & Winchester's is what I'd stick with.
Save your Lapua brass for your bolt gun- the rest is ok.
H4895 or IMR4895 are my choices - not sure where 8208 is but I think Reloader 15 is too slow.
The 168 SMK is a good choice (as is the 155 SMK and similar match bullets)
With the 168s I'd start around 41 grains with a 2.800" OAL.

Loading tips specific to the M1A would be ensuring primer seating depths are below the case head, and use the Lee FCD.
There are a number of really good articles on loading specifically for them - the one put out by Glen Zediker is excellent, as is anything by the USAMU & CMP
dubdubdub.zediker.com/downloads/14_loading.pdf
 
Loaded lots of CCI and Winchester LR primers for M-14's, both work excellent.

As already stated save the good brass for your bolt gun, I load FC cases 3x for most M-14's before I see case head separation signs, the NM might be easier on brass but watch it closely and when in doubt toss it out... Same goes for any other brass, be dilagent when you sort it don't just assume since a few look good that all will be the same.

If I were you I'd chase down a couple pounds of that IMR4895... Tho I had decent results with H4895, Varget, WC735 and a few others in the ballpark...

My suggestions mimic Beltfed, the 168SMK and also the 155SMK are both excellent projectiles, I also found the Prvi 147gr FMJ flew decent for the price...

Not rocket science loading for these rifles, just gotta watch your burn rates and really watch your brass for case head cracks and thinning...
 
I would suggest actually buying a NM die set. Find out what the headspace is, find out what the case HS is.

My 1.630 chamber will not accept the Lee cases resized to 1.634. Some of this is due to the spring back of the "harder" PPU cases I am using.

Make and test a few cases of each brass and see which work for you. Buy the NM dies if they don't.
 
Google up "zediker m14 reloading", and enjoy...

Full length size your brass - but, use your case headspace gauges (your calipers plus the Dillon, or your Hornady one) to setup your FL sizing die so that you're only bumping the shoulder back a few thou from the "fired" dimension.

You might as well consider any brass you fire in your M14 to be "ruined" for use in a good bolt gun. So don't use your Lapua brass. Also, save your WW brass for the boltgun too. Use the FC brass (it's "junk", relatively speaking - might as well use it up in a rifle that is hard on brass and will probably lose a few pieces anyhow). Also the PMC brass would be a good candidate too.

4895 is great, but Varget and 8208 are also good choices. Varget's a bit on the slow side but it's not too slow, so long as you keep at least a grain under what would be a max load in your bolt gun.

No need to weigh each powder charge. Set your thrower up for a sensible load, then throw your charges with care.

Seat your 168 SMKs to magazine length.

Use any of your CCI primers.

You will have pretty much the homemade equivalent of Federal 168 Match ammo. The results on the paper from 100 yards to 600 yards will be 99% due to your accuracy as a shooter and your rifle's accuracy.
 
In my XCR-M the most accurate load (.9) is 42 gr of R-15, BR-2, 155 Scenars, OAL to fit mag, i expect the R-15 to be very performing in a 22 inch barrel of the NM... JP.
 
Well, if you read through Zediker's article (he compiles a lot of other M14 guru's thoughts into that, not just his own) he clearly indicates IMR 4064 as the upper limit of slow burning powders recommended. He thinks Varget beats up guns, and not being smart enough not to decline from trying it for myself, I tend to agree. R-15 is slower than Varget.
It's your gun and face though, so whatever blows your hair back.
 
I switched from IMR4895 to H4895 to improve temperature sensitivity (especially here in Canada shooting in winter through to summer), but H4895 is tough to find these days and probably will be until the new year. So I'm trying out VV N140 at the moment. I love my LC cases but be sure to scale back your starting loads at least 5% due to the reduced case capacity. I had great results using 40.5gr of H4895 under a 168gr SMK (or Hornady 168gr HPBT) and Win WLR primers. YMMV.
 
Did a little reading and i guess i will have a reason to use those few pounds of Varget and BL-C2 that i was not using anymore since R-15 was so stellar in my Nemesis, the M-14 is a different animal to reload for, always used AE 150 gr FMBT in my 305... JP.
 
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