reloading ammo for m14

84wh1

84wh1

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Hey guys,

Just wondering what are you guys using for reloading supplies on your m14? 150 gr, 168 gr? I was gonna use IMR4895 for powder. Any tips is appreciated.

As an FYI, my gun has shot the best so far using 150 gr, but I have yet to use any high end match ammo to really compare the differences between the 2 weights.

Thanks
 
My rifle really likes 168 grain BTHPs over IMR 3031. Can't recommend this recipe highly enough. Tried this in 3 other M305s and they all shoot well with it (< 2 MOA).
 
I have had nice results with 168gr SMKs over IMR4064. Search online for "Zedikers m14" and you will find a excellent guide to reloading for your m14 pattern rifle. I'm fairly new to reloading and was a little hesitant to load for this rifle but so far results have been encouraging, and more importantly I learn more about this rifle each time it comes out to play. ;)

Have fun and safe shooting!
 
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My rifle quite likes 155gr Amax over Benchmark (a lil under 1.5 MOA), I've found a load it quite likes with 168gr BTHPs and IMR 4895 (1.35 MOA) and working on a load with some benchmark (cause it metres more consistently). I reload 150gr SPs over IMR 4895 (my hunting load) and get decent accuracy (a lil over 2MOA).

I'll second the recommendation to read Zediker's article although if memory serves, it mainly talks about surplus brass (mainly Lake City, I think) which I have no idea where to get up here...
 
My real, semi'd Winchester likes IMR4064 with 150's. Match bullets would be wasted on it as the barrel isn't up to 'em.
You reload for an M305/M1A(those are not M-14's) the same way you do for any semi-auto. You must FL resize every time, watch the case lengths and OAL. A crimp is not necessary. Other than that it's no different than loading for anything else.
 
If you check out youtube , "iraqvetran8888" has a two video tutorial on reloading for the M1A. Also goes into reloading 7.62 nato brass as well as .308 brass and why its important for the m14 patern rifles. I will see if i can dig up the link
 
I don't want to say but it's more than 4 then I save them for use in a bolt action.

Unless the case is truly bent, the dents will fire form out on your next firing. Excessive denting night be caused by a unique extractor/ejector spring situation with your rifle. Mine only shows minor dings.
 
I've had best accuracy in both my 305 and Garand using 4064. Both my rifles are used for informal target shooting and plinking. Bullets used in 305 are Hornady 150 gr bulk FMJ's. 165 gr Hornady SP's in the M1. These are the only bullets I tried as I was only looking for a good economical plinking load. I did try several different powders ( R15, IMR and H 4895, Varget and 748). 4064 shot the best in both rifles.

Never had a brass problem in either rifle. Five reloads and they move on to cast loads only.
 
I recently had to switch things up due to powder availability. I worked up a load of 150 grain fmj over 48.5 CFE223 and CCI250 primers. Incredibly clean burning and tight accuracy to boot.
 
I second the vote for 168 grain hornady match and IMR 3031, both my rifles love it. 125 gr speers looked promising but can't seem to find any to continue testing.

Rodney
 
Dake21 said:
May I ask how many reloads you guy get from your cases? They dent terribly on the first shot, I can't imagine how it will be after 4 or 5 reload...
Click to expand...

A good smith can probably correct that for you.
On some rifles the crown between the barrel's feed ramp cuts is a lttle too robust, denting the brass as it chambers.
Not just a norinco thing either. Every krieger barrel I've installed did that initially. Even had one tear a hole in a case once LOL. Good thing it was a deprimed sized round filled with wax instead of powder ;) that first chambering coulda bin nasty with a live round and a hole in the case LOL
Look for brass build up on that part of your barrel.
 
I get Cloverleaf's using Sierras 168 HPBT Match Kings over 41.5 Grains of IMR 4895 in my Custom Built M14S from LRB Arms. With the same reloaded ammo, I get a little more spread with my Norinco M305, but still within limits I can live with.
 
unlisted.handle said:
I get Cloverleaf's using Sierras 168 HPBT Match Kings over 41.5 Grains of IMR 4895 in my Custom Built M14S from LRB Arms. With the same reloaded ammo, I get a little more spread with my Norinco M305, but still within limits I can live with.
Click to expand...

Apparently that is the classic M14 match load. If that load doesn't shoot right, there is something wrong with your gun.
 
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