Reloading for the AG42B

I

Innercity

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
64   0   0
Location
Calgary
Just looking for all/any advice from the more experienced members.
I've had this rifle for about 5 years and since I've had it the price of Prvi ammo has gone from around $20/20 to $32/20.
I sometimes bring it out to shoot service rifle in which we shoot 90 rounds total per rifle/class. So yeah that's about $140 per match for ammo for this rifle.
So cost is my main reason for wanting to reload for this Rifle.

So here's what I know.
Slow powder for any of the bolt gun loads will kill this Rifle.
Fast powder will beat the tar out of the action.
I've got some IMR 4895 that I will try first, I have Varget as well but would like to not use it for this rifle.

Primers, some people say only use #34 primers some say any LRP is fine. I don't know but I went with the #34 as the action on the rifle is very violent.

Bullets, I have some Hornady 6.5mm 140Gr ELD-M. Should be good to go.

COL, This is where I'm a little weary. The book number is 3.030ish, max is 3.150. Some sources have said that the Rifle has a long throat and just by some rudimentary measuring it seems so. Mag length is much greater than 3.030, and some of my research has found that some people are making the COL just so the round fits into the mag.
So I've been messing about setting the dies I've decided to seat the bullet at a COL of 3.120, which is about the same length as the follower in the mag.

Charge weight, Starting load will be 34Gr of the IMR 4895 but I've seen as high as 37Gr. 2500 Fps seems to be the sweet spot.

So am I forgetting anything or overlooking anything?
 
I've used IMR 4064 successfully for the AG42b. IMR 4895 seems to me like it would be reasonable as well.
Crimping (as for most autoloaders) would be a good idea, so the rounds will withstand the rigours of the action cycling.

I have noticed a slight firing pin dimple on chambered rounds after manually ejecting the round, but never had an issue. IIRC, I used CCI LR primers.
 
I use imr 4895'@ 37gr w/140 Norma bullet and loads match the sight calibration also #34cci primer for Safty . I get 1.5 - 2.0 MOA accuracy with this and not to bad on the brass . I follow the book for OAL
I broke the tip off the firing pin once , it's good to have a spare parts kit for these , I could help with this
Looks like your doing good research, lets hear how those ELD bullets shoot for you
 
Last edited:
Innercity said:
Just looking for all/any advice from the more experienced members.
I've had this rifle for about 5 years and since I've had it the price of Prvi ammo has gone from around $20/20 to $32/20.
I sometimes bring it out to shoot service rifle in which we shoot 90 rounds total per rifle/class. So yeah that's about $140 per match for ammo for this rifle.
So cost is my main reason for wanting to reload for this Rifle.

So here's what I know.
Slow powder for any of the bolt gun loads will kill this Rifle.
Fast powder will beat the tar out of the action.
I've got some IMR 4895 that I will try first, I have Varget as well but would like to not use it for this rifle.

Primers, some people say only use #34 primers some say any LRP is fine. I don't know but I went with the #34 as the action on the rifle is very violent.

Bullets, I have some Hornady 6.5mm 140Gr ELD-M. Should be good to go.

COL, This is where I'm a little weary. The book number is 3.030ish, max is 3.150. Some sources have said that the Rifle has a long throat and just by some rudimentary measuring it seems so. Mag length is much greater than 3.030, and some of my research has found that some people are making the COL just so the round fits into the mag.
So I've been messing about setting the dies I've decided to seat the bullet at a COL of 3.120, which is about the same length as the follower in the mag.

Charge weight, Starting load will be 34Gr of the IMR 4895 but I've seen as high as 37Gr. 2500 Fps seems to be the sweet spot.

So am I forgetting anything or overlooking anything?
Click to expand...

Your approach sounds quite reasonable.

I would use a cheaper bullet.

For 140 gr I would load 35 of 4895 up to 37 gr , in 0.5 gr increments (5 of each) and shoot for groups. May as well load something that shoots better than other powder charges.

let barrel cool between groups.

There is a spring on the firing pin, to reduce the slam fires. It is easy to add another spring, to further reduce the risk.
 
Thanks for the replys so far.
I have setup a crimp on my last station, I forgot to mention that.
I've also broke a firing pin at some point and managed to buy 2 more spare parts kits so hopefully I'm ok. They are complete kits.
As for a cheaper bullet I agree. I got all starstruck while at ATRS one day and got sucked into buying these, Although I'm curious to see this old girl shoot these new fancy pills.

Also forgot to mention I have 3 different front sights so I can play with that as well. I have a +.5, +1 and a +1.5
 
When I had an AG42B I reloaded a lot for it. Mid range powder, standard LR, 140-160 gr bullets. Recovering the cases was the hardest part.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom