I currently load .308 for my Remington bolt gun. I am going to start loading for my M14. Current set up is Lee single stage and Lee carbide dies. I currently use very little to no crimp for the bolt gun loads. My question is how much crimp do I need to ensure good feeding from a magazine, do I need different dies in order to achieve this, and finally can I use the same 168gr/175gr match bullets that I use for my bolt gun for rapid good consistent feeding (no pushed back bullet heads).
What's different about loading for Bolt action to Semi-Auto
- Thread starter Cuda
- Start date
Crimp them. I don't think it is needed due to bullet in mag issues, but they seem to be more consistent. I use a lee factory crimp on 223, and 308 out of my semis.
Stick to 168s in your m14. 175s are pretty hard on a m14.
The other difference for semis is that you will want a progressive press soon. I was fortunate enough to shoot a craptonne today. I can't imagine that on a single stage.
It were me (and it WILL be in a week or so) I'd stick with the 165-168gr loads.
The 180gr loads are really hard on a Norc M305 (I assume that's what you have) op rod. It seems that the gas pressure with the heavier bullet weight really slams that op rod, to the point where it will bend.
You CAN shoot the odd lot of 180gr bullets in a Norc M305 and not suffer any problems, the trouble comes when that's ALL you shoot through it.
The 180gr loads are really hard on a Norc M305 (I assume that's what you have) op rod. It seems that the gas pressure with the heavier bullet weight really slams that op rod, to the point where it will bend.
You CAN shoot the odd lot of 180gr bullets in a Norc M305 and not suffer any problems, the trouble comes when that's ALL you shoot through it.
In my experiance loading for semi's, (although none for that particular rifle), is each one is diff, some simply will not cycle a round sized with a standard Die, while the next may be fine with the same Die.
You have a reg die so try it, if it works your good to go, same with crimping, I wouldn't think a crimp is neccessary but if you see some bullet movement then try a light crimp.
Be careful with your bullet weight. I think 175 grain is the max for an M14. I would try to stay a bit lower than that though. M14's are the jackhamer of semi-autos. With heavier bullets they will hammer them selves to the point of damage.
