M14 & Heavier bullets

[Shoosting]

So my M14S should be in its new home tomorow...

A little bird, who heard it from another little bird, told me to stay clear of heavy grain weight .308 ammo for use in the M14's.

I quote, "The .308 win round will work just fine but stay away from the heavy grain weights. Not sure where I heard that from, I think it was from one of the m14 die-hards on CGN."

Can this CGN user or perhaps another tell me why? What do most of you use for plinking? I've tried the search a few times but haven't got any results. Please be descriptive, experiences and rumors welcome.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Hungry]

The M14 as designed by our hero (and his SA re-design team) , Jean Cantius Garand never envisioned anything other than ball ammo (read: 147 grains) in his wonderful creation(s). So after many years of competitions using the record holding 168 grain bullet (Sierra MK, Hornady, Nosler, Speer) family/range, US military teams began using 173 , 175, and 190 grain bullets for their greater ballistic coefficient.

Long story short; after several broken oprods, it was decided that the heavier bullets were not so productive after all. All the US Military teams switched over to the M16A2 platform for NRA High Power matches back in 1997-98ish. This is all in John Feamster's book, "Black Magic- The Ultra Accurate AR15".

I've used a few 180 gr. commercial loads without adverse results. Now all I use are 155 grain Hornady Amax, 155 gr Sierra MK Palma, 168 gr Sierra MK bullets. For hunting, I just use a Speer 125 gr. TNT (earthpigs and 'yotes). For competition, I use an AR15 16" Middy (lots cheaper to feed).

Hope this helps the M14 addiction!

Cheers,
Barney

 

[homer76]

I've tried the search a few times but haven't got any results.

Really??? I used "bullet grain" in the Forum Search and ended up with 3 pages of threads. Quite a few of them have the information you are looking for.

I stick with 150 gr for hunting, punching pater etc. I also reload. I have no issues using 165/168 gr but have been told by people who now a lot more than I do about these rifles to stay below 170 gr. I'm sure other people with chime in and disagree but I would rather play it safe.

 

[sunray]

"...as designed by our hero..." JC had nothing to do with the M14 or the .308/7.62NATO. Earle Harvey and Lloyd Corbett of Springfield Armory did most of the design work. Mind you, if the U.S. Ordance Dept had listened to JC in 1920, the U.S. would have fought W.W. II using a semi-auto with a 20 or 40 round detachable mag.
"...stay away from the heavy grain weights..." Carry over Internet nonsense from the myth that the M1 will break if you use heavier than 150's.

 

[Major Commander]

 

[RePete]

So my M14S should be in its new home tomorow...

A little bird, who heard it from another little bird, told me to stay clear of heavy grain weight .308 ammo for use in the M14's.

I quote, "The .308 win round will work just fine but stay away from the heavy grain weights. Not sure where I heard that from, I think it was from one of the m14 die-hards on CGN."

Can this CGN user or perhaps another tell me why? What do most of you use for plinking? I've tried the search a few times but haven't got any results. Please be descriptive, experiences and rumors welcome.

Thanks,
Nick

PM me your e-mail address, I have some reading for you.

 

[weenog]

I talked to Marstar before I ordered mine. They said only use 147 to 168. I think the higher wt's are more suited for bolt action not semi's. It's you rifle and your barrel, but in mine i will stick with the 150

 

[Dimitri]

Sadlak makes a new piston with a grove to drop the pressure so it wont damage the gun using heavier ammunition. Don't shoot over 168gr ammunition with a stock/original type piston.

Between 165gr Game Kings and 168gr Match Kings you don't need a better combo. They will shoot close enough out to 500 yards that you can zero and practice with the 168gr's and not worry about the difference at a 400 yard shot on deer when you load a magazine of 165gr ammunition.

From deer, moose and coyotes to paper I only shoot 165gr SGK and 168gr SMK. Solves the issue of different loads and different zeros out of a 308 Win.

Dimitri

 

[SoBored]

I've tried the search a few times but haven't got any results.

I hated that search function for a while too. In advanced search, make sure that you switch the "Find posts from" field is set to "A Week Ago" and switch it it to "and Older". The default is "and Newer" and that isn't much help at all IMO.

 

[Shoosting]

PM me your e-mail address, I have some reading for you.

Jeeeebus, thats a lot of reading just got it all.

Thanks for all the input guys/gals!
The rifle is in, going to swap the mystery wood for a fiberglass stock I've had sitting around. Any Thoughs on paint color for when the time comes??