M14 loads

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Jmiverson

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I finally have an m14 in the mail, so now I'd like to start getting some loading components for it. So for those who reload for their's, what works? Brass, powder, primers, bullets? I'm thinking 168gr. something over a temp stable powder in winchester brass... Ya I know, bulk ammo is good enough but I enjoy loading so that's what I'm gonna do.

Any input would sure be appreciated!
 
Brass = any commercial is fine. Military is fine too, but be aware that the volume inside the cases are smaller than commercial due to the military brass having thicker walls. Make sure you trim to the correct length. Your M14 will chew it up anyways (they're hard on the extraction phase) and you'll probably be throwing it away after a few firings. Make sure you always trim them down (even if coming out of your gun) and do a full length re-size every time, as you're using a semi-auto.
Primers = Large rifle, except if you're using ball powders, in which case some suggest Large magnum rifle. I've used LR only and never had a problem with mine.
Bullets = don't go over 168 gr. According to Springfield, heavier bullets are too hard on the barrel.
Powders = depends on what you want to do. Medium burn rate powders work best with the gas system. I use 46gr W748 or 43gr H4895 under 150gr FMJBT in order to approximate the military load, but have also used IMR 8208 (great, btw) and Varget (also good and very temperature stable). For my purposes, any of those are fine, although I prefer Win748 only because it meters great and isn't too hard on the barrel's lifespan (lower heat).

You might also want to search through the Main Battle Rifle section of the forum for loads.
 
Thx for the input so far guys. Looking for a heavier "match" load and a decent hunting round near the same weight. Are there any surplus powders worth trying?
 
IMHO heavier bullets beat up op rod and cycling system more than barrel(because of higher residual pressure). There is a great article about reloading for M305, link is on mystic precisions website(link takes you to long range hunting website). Jerry recommended using h4895 or benchmark powders. He explains everything in great deal. You can get away with just neck sizing but be very careful and check each and every case in your chamber to make sure its not tight. I'm using benchmark 42 grains of it under 168 grain BTHP, 10 thou off lands, but follow your reloading manual.
 
Has anyone used WC735 in their M14? That's the powder Higginson sells very cheap and is it the right burn rate. I've yet to see any loads using that powder with 150-168gr bullets just for targe use.
 
just gotta throw in here;

Please be sure to work up to these loads; don't just start loadin up hundreds of these rounds. As a kind of liability limiter, but also to ensure that you find the load that works best in your rifle.

Just had to say that. Thank you for your attention. :dancingbanana:
 
Grooved pistons and vented or adjustable gas plugs for bullets heavier than 175gr.
According to some Varget blows up M14's.
I have plenty of Varget but I use IMR 4064 for mine.
If you carefully work your way up to 2650fps your gun, face and fingers should be safe.

The Mil Spec load for 175SMK's is 41.7gr of 4064.
Work your way up to it.
 
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Get yourself a Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading kit and read the Speer Reloading Manual #14.
Everything U need to know is in that book and U will have most all of the tools U need to get started except for trimmer, shell holders and dies. Burger168 VLD hunting bullet is about ideal weight for a 7.62X51 nato. U can use civi street brass (308) in that rifle.My load of choice would be: Bullet: Burger168gr VLD Hunting Bullet. IMR4895 42.8 gr max load work up slow MV=2747 100% case fill.
 
I started out loading with H4895 and a fellow reloader informed me he found IMR4895 to be more accurate in his M305 for whatever reason. I tried it and it worked out for me as well. I was using Hornady 150gr FMJ/BT.
I ended up selling it because I couldn't get it to shoot groups under 2"@50yds without buying replacement parts (it was shooting 3-4" with H4895). The guy I sold it to went to an M14 clinic and found out the receiver was warped from the heat treating. Guess that explained why it shot worse than most other peoples.
 
eaglesnester said:
Get yourself a Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading kit and read the Speer Reloading Manual #14.
Everything U need to know is in that book and U will have most all of the tools U need to get started except for trimmer, shell holders and dies. Burger168 VLD hunting bullet is about ideal weight for a 7.62X51 nato. U can use civi street brass (308) in that rifle.My load of choice would be: Bullet: Burger168gr VLD Hunting Bullet. IMR4895 42.8 gr max load work up slow MV=2747 100% case fill.
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Are you running that hot in an M14?
It seems way too hot according to others on the M14 forum but what do I know?

175gr FGMM runs 2600fps using 41.75gr of 4064 in federal cases obviously with 210m primers.
168gr FGMM runs 2650fps using 42.75gr of 4064 in the same brass and primers
Somebody on the M14 forum posted a Buffalo Bore load at 2700fps and it was called crazy by one poster and scary by another.
 
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Took a hell of a lot of money to figure out, but for my lady:

Lapua brass
168 Sierra Matchking HPBT or Lapua 167 HPBT
CCI primers
IMR 8208 XBR @ 39
Can't remember OAL.

And above all....a skilled shooter. Even the best load can be pooched by the idiot behind the trigger, lol.

Have fun.
 
I'm a huge fan of imr 8208, load everything for my .223s with it. Always thought it was best for small cases? If I could use it in my m14 also, that would be a plus. As far as brass, I might try some milspec x51 stuff, any brands better than others?

And as far as tools and manuals, im all set up except for a good die set.
 
big boar said:
Has anyone used WC735 in their M14? That's the powder Higginson sells very cheap and is it the right burn rate. I've yet to see any loads using that powder with 150-168gr bullets just for targe use.
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I've had excellent results with WC735. I use it behind Hornady 150gr FMJ and/or 150gr SPs. Works the same for both. I'm pretty lucky, they even shoot to the same point of aim @ 100yds, using the same seating depth as well.(don't change the setting on my seater for either bullet)
 
LUTNIT said:
I started out loading with H4895 and a fellow reloader informed me he found IMR4895 to be more accurate in his M305 for whatever reason. I tried it and it worked out for me as well. I was using Hornady 150gr FMJ/BT.
I ended up selling it because I couldn't get it to shoot groups under 2"@50yds without buying replacement parts (it was shooting 3-4" with H4895). The guy I sold it to went to an M14 clinic and found out the receiver was warped from the heat treating. Guess that explained why it shot worse than most other peoples.
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I find with that powder you want to split it down the middle just look up what they recommend for shooting 308 win out of an m1Grand it's within spec what you can do it was 41 or 44 grains something like that right in the middle I would have to look it up with 150 grain bullets that seemed to work very well.

4895 is the type of powder the m1 grand uses and since the m14 was designed off of the M1 Grand it works well in it. Just goto Hodgen reloading center look up 308 win look up the powder and split it in the middle going up and down a few grains I found made it worse so in the middle seemed to work the best for the speer 150 grain bullets.
 
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