So the gas plug is vented forward through the allen bolts? Cool. What sort of range of apertures have you found success with?
What is your current m14 ammo choice?
- Thread starter Grizzlypeg
- Start date
So the gas plug is vented forward through the allen bolts? Cool. What sort of range of apertures have you found success with?
With that load 1/16” was perfect but I also have some smaller and bigger in number bits. I can’t remember the numbers off hand but up or down fron 1/16th 2 sizes are all you need. I go bigger when shooting 168 Sierras.
I copied off the McCann gas plug kit that I purchased from Brownells for my Garand and I figured if it worked for that rifle then it should work for the M14. It’s cheap and it works great. Remember to heat up the Allen screw hot and then cool and drill because it’s hardened and even cobalt bits won’t touch it.
I copied off the McCann gas plug kit that I purchased from Brownells for my Garand and I figured if it worked for that rifle then it should work for the M14. It’s cheap and it works great. Remember to heat up the Allen screw hot and then cool and drill because it’s hardened and even cobalt bits won’t touch it.
I just ordered 500 rounds of Federal XM80 from SFRC. They have a mother's day sale of 15% off. So with tax, 500 rounds cost me $365
That ammo seems to get good reviews from the Americans shooting it in m14's.
I also ordered a case gauge so I can check my reloads for size, as I plan to do some reloading. I tried 155 Sierra Palma's in the past, and got poor results. I tried 168 match kings and those shot about the best for me.
That ammo seems to get good reviews from the Americans shooting it in m14's.
I also ordered a case gauge so I can check my reloads for size, as I plan to do some reloading. I tried 155 Sierra Palma's in the past, and got poor results. I tried 168 match kings and those shot about the best for me.
I also bought a 500 round case of XM80 from federal! Seems the best deal at the moment! I'm a begineer and those were my first shots with a brand new m305. After four mags to figure out the elevation, my last 5 shot group was in a tennis ball at 100 yard! Pretty happy and surprised! Now to find a forged bolt somewhere before the MIM one explodes in my face
I shot Federal American Eagle 150gr through my M14S when I first got it. Accuracy was mediocre. I worked up 2 loads, both in Federal brass with CCI 200s, that reliably shoot 1.5 MOA. 155gr Amax with Benchmark (powder charge escapes me right now) and 168gr Hornady HPBTs with 40.3gr of Benchmark. I've taken that load out as far as 830 yards and made reliable hits on a 2/3 IPSC plate. I've wanted to try it with 175s for a while but I don't have a grooved piston and I honestly have too many projects on the go...
I shoot only reloads. Both my 308 M1 and M1A will run on the same load: 147gr campro with 33gr of IMR 4895 and CCI LR primer. This is a low cost load...not worth anything for accuracy obviously because you're getting low velocity and probably a poor gas seal in the chamber.
I did some experimenting with Hirtenberger and found the average charge to be 44.7 grains - and I found that the powder by weight performed the same as 4895. 33gr of that powder will cycle the action reliably.
I use the RCBS collet puller, but I find the Hirtenberger difficult to pull as-is. There is some sort of a glue/lacquer bond involved, so before pulling the bullets I use my bullet seating die to push the bullet into the case a few thou to break the bond before pulling a batch.
I did some experimenting with Hirtenberger and found the average charge to be 44.7 grains - and I found that the powder by weight performed the same as 4895. 33gr of that powder will cycle the action reliably.
I use the RCBS collet puller, but I find the Hirtenberger difficult to pull as-is. There is some sort of a glue/lacquer bond involved, so before pulling the bullets I use my bullet seating die to push the bullet into the case a few thou to break the bond before pulling a batch.
In case someone didn't read my other thread, the Federal XM80cs that I just bought, when tested in a Lyman case gauge, shows that the cases are sized too long. Not overall length of brass, but shoulder. When I test other Federal ammunition of various types in the same case gauge, they all show between min and max, but this XM80CS goes over max slightly. I checked the Lyman gauge using 308 go and no go gauges, and it is correct. I find it hard to believe Federal would be making ammo that is dangerously over sized, but it is over sized.
It is good ammo at a good price. I wouldn't bother reloading cheap ammo if I could still find those for 65 cents a round. They are low recoil too.
They chamber and shoot fine. Accuracy is medium. Not as bad a some foreign made surplus, but not as good as hand loads with 168gr SMK's and IMR4895.
Mucho_Boosto
Member
- Location
- Calgary AB
Tried some Win .308 Super-X 150gr, box said 2700fps I think, ran the rifle fine with no ill effects but primers showed light overpressure. Not recommended.
This round on the left, hand load on the right (147gr at 2300fps).
EDIT: Also it might be in my head, but 1 or 2 out of that box of 20 felt noticeably hotter than the others, recoil wise.
This round on the left, hand load on the right (147gr at 2300fps).
EDIT: Also it might be in my head, but 1 or 2 out of that box of 20 felt noticeably hotter than the others, recoil wise.
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Hitzy, how sensitive are you finding the loads are with respect to charge weight and finding a sweet spot with that combo? I'm currently loading the same(IVI brass, 168 sierra projectiles), with 41 to 42 grain charges of IMR4895, and don't find much difference in accuracy. They both are decent, but not excellent. Approx 1.5" 5 shot groups at 100 yards.
Interesting... I just discovered this ammo and it shoots _very_ well in my LR-308. I haven't put it through my M-305 yet however. I paid more than you guys did...I'll have to shop around for more...
m14medic.ca
Expried Business Member
- Location
- Regina SK Canada
That would be because it’s not 308 ammunition. It is 7.62x51.
Fun factoid, the “X” in XM branded Federal ammunition is rejected “M” ammunition. Now that doesn’t mean it’s bad Ammo, just that the lot was culled from military use. There are several reason for this, besides bad ammo. Generally it is due to over production at the plant.
John
Tried some Win .308 Super-X 150gr, box said 2700fps I think, ran the rifle fine with no ill effects but primers showed light overpressure. Not recommended.
This round on the left, hand load on the right (147gr at 2300fps).
EDIT: Also it might be in my head, but 1 or 2 out of that box of 20 felt noticeably hotter than the others, recoil wise.
They both look fine but the one on the right looks underpressured.
