Reloading 125 gr bullets in the M14/M1A

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Hungry

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We've had all kinds of discussion about avoiding the heavier bullets like the 173 gr. or 175 Match Kings (can't recall the weight). Then there are suggestions to load 150 gr FMJ's or hunting bullets!

Now has anybody given any thought to the Remington Bulk 125 gr. PSP's or some other form of lighter .308 cal bullet? By all means give it a whirl! I've had great success shooting the 125 grain slugs and they sure are a hoot. :)

The reason I love the lighter bullet is the LACK :eek: of recoil! Big blast, but hardly any kick. I use the exact same powder charge that I loaded up my 150 gr or 147 gr FMJ slugs. Yeeeha! Even faster velocity, too! :D

I've shot these bullets in Service Rifle matches up to 500 yards with super results. Who gives a crap about being blown by the wind? Just have fun and keep your crosshairs (500yard rapid Match 11) on the center of the fig 12A on 4 ft frame, not much recoil to knock your crosshairs off the target.

I enjoy hunting with the M14 using my iron sights. I used to carry an accurized but rack grade TRW in my groundhog fields back in 1990. I loaded up the magazine (before Kim Campbell magazines ;) ) with a few rounds and stalked to 150 steps or closer. I shot from the prone and sitting positions and tagged many, many groundhogs! This 125 gr Remington Bulk PSP bullet just guts the earth pigs. :eek:

I have not tried these bullets or this bullet weight on deer (yet) and I'm hoping to do so one of these seasons. Right now I've got a jar of Speer 125 gr TNT moly'ed bullets to sample on some groundhogs, next season though. I'll be using my Norinco M14, the one I show at the M14 clinics. Some of you may have seen this particular boomstick! ;)

Now, my next step... trying to find more light bullets like the Hornady .308 cal 110 VMax (or TAP round) for some shzts and giggles....

Anyways, if you happen to find a lonely box or 2 of light .30 cal bullets at your local gun shop, give them a try! You'll be surprised at how much fun that little bullet can be pushed out of your M14 (or any .308 rifle for that matter).

Have fun and discover! (do I sound like Ms. Frizzle on the "Magic Schoolbus" ?)

:cheers:

Barney
 
i have tried a bunch of 110, 125, 130 grainers in my norc m14, with a 125gr sierra sp, 43gr of imr4895 and fc brass i shot a few 1.5'' groups at 100 yards, i tried some 110 gr round noses with 47gr of 4895 with good results aswell,
 
I use the bulk hornady 123gr FMJ's loaded with 50.0gr of IMR4064 in my M1 Garand and they ring out at 2904.4fps (2304.42 ft/lbs) COAL 3.145"

M14's loaded with 48.0gr of IMR4064 spit them out at 3108.6fps (2639.92 ft/lbs)COAL 2.700"

Regards,
 
where are you guys buying your 125 gr. bullets? im just getting set up with my reloading gear and would like to give this load a try.
 
Tried both plated and jacketed RN 110gr M1 Carbine bullets. Shoot low, had to adjust load to get them to fly right. Once there, they shoot nice.

Tried some surplus 113gr FMJ Spanish CETME bullets. Again, flew low until got the right combination. Shoot nice.

Can't wait for Dante's to get in a RCBS mold I have had B/Oed from RCBS for over a year (they finally got the top punch!). Should be nice in the M14, bolt and my buddy's Mini30. 130gr SP lead bullet with GC.
 
Pushing a Sierra 110gr Varminter in the 308 Win case would be interesting. :D

Still thinking E. Arthur Brown Company Sabots with 55gr 224" round would be interesting at short range on small game.

Dimitri
 
Any 110 gr varminter work very well. What ever happened to that bullet that Remington sold once upon a time that encased a 22 bullet with a 30 caliber plastic sleeve and pushed the bullet at some ridiculous velocity?
 
Remington canceled the Xcellerator rounds many years ago. Guy I worked with shot them in his 30-06 and said accuracy was terrible with the 55 grain saboted load. At 100 yards he said he was shooting 9" and larger patterns. If you got lucky and hit a coyote with one round the results were quite spectacular he claimed.
 
I used them too (but in .308win) and, as mentioned the accuracy was lacking to say the least. They were however extremely fun to shoot at large fruit (melons, grapefruit
etc) at the 50yd range.

Regards,
 
In theory lighter bullets should be the cat's ass in the M14. Less barrel whip and higher velocity. I would think the increased bullet velocity which should mean increased velocity of the gasses behind it would mean better performance from a brake on the end too. I'd like to see some people's results with this setup. My guess is that a lighter bullet will be more accurate overall.

125gr should be no problem for deer, people shoot deer with .223 and 30/30 here without issue here all the time.
 
In a ideal world, you'd use 75gr or more .224 bullets in the sabotted rounds to be useful with the twist rates of the M14/M1A barrels.

Dimitri
 
The Americans used to shoot 125's at the 200 yard stage of their national match course of fire because the wind at that short range was not an issue.

I loaded a bunch of 308 with 125's for shooting at Kingston when it had a problem withthe danger area. The idea was to have ammo that would not shoot so far. It was not loaded to full velocity. It was very accurate.

When my son started to shoot 308 in competition (age 7) he used a cut down Sportco loaded with 125's and 34gr of 4198 (a mild load). It shot well to 600 yards, but not beyond. He did well at those short ranges for a beginner.

personally, i would not use the 125 on deer. I have no doubt it would shoot them dead. I have used them on big kangaroos, which are about the same size as a smallish deer (125 pounds) and they shot fist sized exit holes. I think there would be a lot of blood shot meat.

Our hunting group has switched to heavy bullets for deer so as to reduce meat damage and to allow one load for both deer and moose.
 
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