reduced loads M1A
- Thread starter ALMAR
- Start date
I don't have my load data with me but I did get a bunch of reduced loads to cycle in my Norc M14/M1A. I was using 185gr cast bullets though. I did manage to find 4759, 4895, and Unique loads that would cycle the action. I couldn't get them to shoot with any accuracy but I couldn't get anything to shoot in it accurately. After selling it the guy I sold it to took it to one of the M14 clinics and was told the receiver was warped from the heat treating process; maybe that's why I had more issues than most people.
All my data came from the Lyman cast bullet handbook. Had to use the upper 1/3 range of the loads to get them to cycle.
All my data came from the Lyman cast bullet handbook. Had to use the upper 1/3 range of the loads to get them to cycle.
I did some more researching since my original post and let me tell you that the info is hard to come by. I'm pretty new to reloading, in fact, I'm a total newbie but I would like a sustainable source of fairly cheap ammo for my DA M1A...Some swear that using cast in m1a is dangerous but other say they never had any issues at all. I did however find this thread where a seemingly very knowledgeable fella did a bunch of tests with different powders and bullets and shared his results.
Ultimately from what I've seen using 30gr of 4820 with a 311672 bullet gave him pretty good results...I have access to this powder so I may give a go...
h ttp://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?3558-7-62x51-NATO-(-308-WCF)-in-the-Springfield-M1A/page2
Ultimately from what I've seen using 30gr of 4820 with a 311672 bullet gave him pretty good results...I have access to this powder so I may give a go...
h ttp://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?3558-7-62x51-NATO-(-308-WCF)-in-the-Springfield-M1A/page2
I've heard all kinds of talk about cast bullets in gas operated rifles being dangerous. The theory goes that the lead shaves off in the gas port hole and builds up eventually causing a blockage and blows up the gun. I really can't see this happening in real life. If the gas port did shave bullets it would just clog up and the gun wont cycle anymore. I fired probably 200-300 cast bullets in my Norc M14 and never had a flake of lead in the barrel.
One thing to note is that an M1A will eject the empty even if it doesn't go back far enough to pickup a new round. Several times I thought I had FTF's but it had just not gone back far enough to pickup the next round.
I found that thread on the cast boolites forums and tried several loads. A lot that he said cycled wouldn't for me. My guess is the Norc rifles are less efficient or have more leakage in the gas system so need a little more pressure to operate. An adjustable gas system would work but I didn't want to put any money into mine.
One thing to note is that an M1A will eject the empty even if it doesn't go back far enough to pickup a new round. Several times I thought I had FTF's but it had just not gone back far enough to pickup the next round.
I found that thread on the cast boolites forums and tried several loads. A lot that he said cycled wouldn't for me. My guess is the Norc rifles are less efficient or have more leakage in the gas system so need a little more pressure to operate. An adjustable gas system would work but I didn't want to put any money into mine.
