Reloading heavier bullets in the Norc M14

[cam1936]

Hey everyone.

I have a Norc shorty on the way to me. The only .30 cal bullets I have that would be suitable to load are 178 grain A-MAXs. I'll pick up some different bullets next trip to the city, but it would be nice to be able to use these bullets as I have no other rifle for them.

I have heard that 180 class bullets are too rough for the action. What if I make the loads quite mild? Suitable powders I have are Varget and IMR 4064, would a mild load be fine?

 

[CanuckR]

I think you will be fine. I wouldn't feed it a steady diet of them. My norc has several boxes (100+ rds) of 180 run through it with no issues. That was factory ammunition however.
I'm sure others will chime in.

Derek

 

[GunNewb]

Suggest: M14forum.com

They have a section entirely devoted to reloading

 

[Conte]

It's more a powder issues then a bullet weight issues. Factory 180 rounds and generally loaded with too slow burning a powder. If you use standard powder recommended for the rifle, you'll be fine as long as you're not running them too hot. You just won't get the same fps, and a lower POI.

I've shot a thousand of 180's out of my M305 over 38g of 3031. My rifle loves it. Chony's at 2400 fps and my zero is at the 200 setting instead of 100.