Sticky? M1A Ammunition

BenL

BenL

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In my continuing quest to learn more about this platform, I've came to the conclusion that there wasn't a whole lot of information on this very subject and think that it could be worth it to have a Sticky started.

So what should be covered in the said Sticky? I'm thinking the basic such as:

1) Can I shoot commercial .308 out of my M1A?
i. I plan on hunting with my M1A, are there brands of ammo to avoid due to X reason (such as soft primers, etc.)?
ii. I plan on only shooting the less-expensive steel case ammo, are there brands of ammo to avoid due to X reason?

2) Should I only shoot MIL 7.62 out of my M1A?

3) What is the recommended bullet weight range for the M1A?

4) This has been discussed to death for years, what the heck are you doing suggesting this!
 
Since Hungry and Skullboy ceased to be moderators, there have been many requests for quality info to be stickied have fallen on deaf ears and the existing stickies to be corrected for errors remain to confuse guys even more LOL
I shoot federal power shok 150gr @ 225.00 a case of 200.
The most relaible feeding/functioning and firing , general purpose ammo I have used in my M14 type rifles, for going over 20 years ;)
Ammo I've had catastrophic or seriously unsatisfactory results with----> MFS and American Eagle red box.
 
For some reason I don't get tighter grouping shooting match grade ammo. The groups looks different, but it's still 3 MOA. I still have to try the ammo 45acpking keeps talking about lol
 
I've started working on loading for mine. I shoot it with the gas off myself while load testing but it seems to like 110g SP FB prvi bullets on top of Varget so far.
 
I am having a ton of fun with my NM's and the Hirt HP Nato surplus ammo, for me this ammo was made for this platform... JP.
 
From the good folks at Springfield Armory following my question to them regarding ammunition used in the M1A Standard;

"Hi *******,

I will include our basic ammo guidelines and that should clear up any confusion.

Developed by the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. It was adopted by NATO as the 7.62mm x 51mm.

Winchester requested and was authorized to introduce it as a commercial offering that is the .308 Winchester.

Both can be used in our firearms that are chambered for it.

Recommended ammunition for our rifles that are chambered for .308 Winchester:

- Commercially produced, new ammunition

- 110 grain to 180 grain bullet.

- Full metal jacket (FMJ), hollow point (HP or BTHP), or ballistic tip type bullet.

- Do not use soft point (SP) bullets.

- Do not use "light magnum" type ammunition.

- We do not recommend the use of any steel case ammunition.

- Do not use cast bullets.

You can also use 7.62 x 51mm ammunition that meets the following requirements:

- Is clean and from sealed containers / original packaging.

- Is NATO spec. It will have a NATO mark on the case head and / or on the packaging that

looks like a plus sign inside of a circle.

- Avoid using surplus ammunition that is "loose" or "bulk".

- We do not recommend the use of any non-NATO spec 7.62 x 51mm ammunition.

- We do not recommend the use of any steel case ammunition.

To get the most in accuracy we recommend:

- Federal Match 168 grain

- Hornaday Match / custom 168 grain

- Hornady TAP 110 or 168 grain

Do Not use ammunition above 180 grain in any of our rifles as this may cause damage. These are

semi-auto military rifles that were designed to operate with a standard ball load with a 147-150 grain

bullet. Loads with heavier bullets can produce a pressure curve that is outside the design

parameters of these rifles.





****,

Springfield Armory

Customer Service

1-800-680-6866 Ext 8919"

There's the answer Springfield gives. I took their advice and shoot the Hornady/Match Custom 168gr. and well...phenomenal. Pricier but results are top notch.
Do keep in mind however that this gentleman replying is probably unaware that 7.62X51 NATO is not quite as widespread available here as it is in the States...
Oh what i would do for a box of Federal American Eagle Ammunition 7.62x51mm NATO 168 Grain Open Tip Match (Just love the little "FOR M1A" label on the box haha)
 
Last edited:
Quick hand loading question for the more experienced folks.

I rolled up a bunch during load development, and found that my rifle preferred 41.4gr of imr4064 under a 168gr smk. Seemed to group nicely. Cases trimmed at 2" (I believe ill double check) coal at 2.8", full length sized brass, fed210 primers. All fed and extracted nicely. One thing that is a little concerning to me is that the primers are getting drilled by the firing pin. Pretty big dents in the primers, more so than with commercial ammo. Primer pockets are tight and I'm just below flush with case head for seating. All of the hand loads it used for load development showed these heavy primer strikes. Is this something I should be concerned about? Like I say factory ammo doesn't appear to do this. I prefer the fed 150gr powershok for factory ammo and outside of the odd box of remington core lock, it's all I shoot for factory ammo.

No blow outs, no loose primers in spent cases, case heads and neck look fine. Thoughts?
 
2stonedbirds said:
Quick hand loading question for the more experienced folks.

I rolled up a bunch during load development, and found that my rifle preferred 41.4gr of imr4064 under a 168gr smk. Seemed to group nicely. Cases trimmed at 2" (I believe ill double check) coal at 2.8", full length sized brass, fed210 primers. All fed and extracted nicely. One thing that is a little concerning to me is that the primers are getting drilled by the firing pin. Pretty big dents in the primers, more so than with commercial ammo. Primer pockets are tight and I'm just below flush with case head for seating. All of the hand loads it used for load development showed these heavy primer strikes. Is this something I should be concerned about? Like I say factory ammo doesn't appear to do this. I prefer the fed 150gr powershok for factory ammo and outside of the odd box of remington core lock, it's all I shoot for factory ammo.

No blow outs, no loose primers in spent cases, case heads and neck look fine. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Try another make of primer, some are softer, for the M1A you need hard primer... JP.
 
caramel said:
Try another make of primer, some are softer, for the M1A you need hard primer... JP.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that Federal powershok in the blue box uses the same fed210 primer. And those spend casings do not exhibit the same amount of indentation.

I personally think soft primers are only an issue if not seated fully.
 
If everything is working fine, and firing pin inertia during cycling is not setting any rounds off, then why worry.
 
45ACPKING said:
Since Hungry and Skullboy ceased to be moderators, there have been many requests for quality info to be stickied have fallen on deaf ears and the existing stickies to be corrected for errors remain to confuse guys even more LOL
I shoot federal power shok 150gr @ 225.00 a case of 200.
The most relaible feeding/functioning and firing , general purpose ammo I have used in my M14 type rifles, for going over 20 years ;)
Ammo I've had catastrophic or seriously unsatisfactory results with----> MFS and American Eagle red box.
Click to expand...

Why dont you become a mod? , you been here long enough and you have a lot of M14 knowledge . Your right there's a lot of info and videos that could help new guys out. Hell if you need a hand I would help be a mod also
 
Be a Mod
I'm flattered at the suggestion.
Two reasons I'm not a moderator here

1) I've never been asked to be one
2) I might have too many biases and personal misgivings to be a fair moderator LOL
 
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