The other day, I thought I just get the old M14 out of the safe and do some more load development. My M14 has quite a checkered history. It started out life as an Israeli Converted Auto (CA) TRW M14 that I purchased in the 80’s for $350.00. At that time it was non-restricted and a pretty good shooter in its USGI state. With hand loads, it grouped somewhere around 1.5 to 1.75 MOA. Then came the firearms act of 98 and suddenly my M14 was prohibited. A few years later I came across a Norinco kit, containing all the parts you needed to build yourself a complete M14 wannabe and non-restricted to boot. Here’s where the purists are probably going to flame me but I did want to shoot my M14 and not just keep it as safe queen. So, I disassembled my TRW and transferred all parts except the oprod to the Norinco receiver. I also purchased a new round SS oprod spring guide and a new heavy Douglas target barrel since I wanted to accurize my M14. Tactical Teacher (Hungry) was instrumental in the rebarreling process and reaming the flash hider to NM standards and another CGN member helped me final chamber the barrel. For a number years, I kept the rifle in the original USGI fiberglass stock but about 6 years ago I wanted to try the Archangel stock for this rifle and purchased that (being on a budget). After bedding the stock and shimming the gas cylinder, this is what it looks today.
Note that it sports an ARMS 18 mount and a Bushnell 10X40 Tactical scope in Burris Signature Z-Rings. Anyway, that’s the background story on the rifle. One of my favourite loads for this rifle has been 155gr AMAX bullets, 43gr Varget, Winchester LR primer and IVI cases (weight sorted to +-0.5gr). In my semi-auto rifles, I crimp the bullets and use short base sizing dies. Over the years, I've found that this gives me a very high reliability. Since I shoot my rifles in competitions, that's quite important to me.
I just wanted to confirm this load again by shooting some 5 round groups on my local indoor range at 50m (too cold right now to shoot outside for an old geezer). Here are the results of the different loads I recently tried out. I just hope that this report provides some guidance and encouragement to new shooters working up loads for their Norinco M305’s and various M1As. This platform provides its challenges but if you persevere, the payoff is very good.
The first target are loads using H4895 as a propellant. 42 gr looks like a good one for this rifle (0.9MOA)
The second target uses Varget. 43 gr looks pretty good here. (0.7MOA) The last group has a flyer unfortunately but that's life and undoubtedly me.
Keep in mind that these loads were shot on an indoor range at 50m (55y) with no wind and off the Harris bipod with a rear bag. This range report gives you an idea of what this platform is capable of provided the shooter does his/her part.
Note that it sports an ARMS 18 mount and a Bushnell 10X40 Tactical scope in Burris Signature Z-Rings. Anyway, that’s the background story on the rifle. One of my favourite loads for this rifle has been 155gr AMAX bullets, 43gr Varget, Winchester LR primer and IVI cases (weight sorted to +-0.5gr). In my semi-auto rifles, I crimp the bullets and use short base sizing dies. Over the years, I've found that this gives me a very high reliability. Since I shoot my rifles in competitions, that's quite important to me.
I just wanted to confirm this load again by shooting some 5 round groups on my local indoor range at 50m (too cold right now to shoot outside for an old geezer). Here are the results of the different loads I recently tried out. I just hope that this report provides some guidance and encouragement to new shooters working up loads for their Norinco M305’s and various M1As. This platform provides its challenges but if you persevere, the payoff is very good.
The first target are loads using H4895 as a propellant. 42 gr looks like a good one for this rifle (0.9MOA)
The second target uses Varget. 43 gr looks pretty good here. (0.7MOA) The last group has a flyer unfortunately but that's life and undoubtedly me.
Keep in mind that these loads were shot on an indoor range at 50m (55y) with no wind and off the Harris bipod with a rear bag. This range report gives you an idea of what this platform is capable of provided the shooter does his/her part.
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