Loading for an M1A

[nova512]

as some of you mite know im very new to reloading.could some of you guru's tell me what would be a good powder load for my m1a.with the scope i will be using 168 grn bullets without the scope ill be using 147 or 150 gr bullets my powder is imr4064.

 

[sloughfoot]

You have a reloading manual, right?

My Hornady manual for the M1A and IMR4064 shows the start load to be 36.1 grains and max load to be 41.6 grains with the 168. This is 2100 to 2500 FPS.

For the 147/150 bullet and IMR 4064, start at 37.9 grain with a max of 43.2 grain.

Lots of info on reloading for the M1A here......

Zediker Publishing

 

[lf19]

My Lymans 49th shows 168 gr HPBT with 4064 at 45 grains (2551 fps) to 50 grains (2816 fps) max load. It states garand users should load at one or two grains below max. Have loaded some nosler and sierra at 48 grains using 168 and have not had good groupings. Guess I better chrono and back off the load a bit. The greek ammo patterns great at 100 yards.

 

[sloughfoot]

My Lymans 49th shows 168 gr HPBT with 4064 at 45 grains (2551 fps) to 50 grains (2816 fps) max load. It states garand users should load at one or two grains below max. Have loaded some nosler and sierra at 48 grains using 168 and have not had good groupings. Guess I better chrono and back off the load a bit. The greek ammo patterns great at 100 yards.

These are 30.06 loads. The OP asked about 308 loads for a M1A.

I like 45 grains of 4064 behind the 168 for my Garand and bolt guns in 30.06.

 

[lf19]

Oops. Thanks for the fast correction.

 

[Leadeye]

I never had a lot of luck with 4064, problems with cycling using 150-165 grain bullets. I switched to 3031 and use 748 when I have it.

 

[SSE]

And don't forget to use G.I. cases when loading for the M1A and never load max.

 

[NWIeng]

Or if you load 223 as well, I've found that IMR 4895 works well for my AR and M1A

Totally not what the OP was asking, but just a reference for anyone loading both cartridges.

 

[Lock n Load]

Or if you load 223 as well, I've found that IMR 4895 works well for my AR and M1A

Totally not what the OP was asking, but just a reference for anyone loading both cartridges.

+1... I buy 4895 just so I can split it between 5.56 and 7.62x51. I have worked up loads at mid range for plinking and then dedicated loads that work best in each particular rifle (my match loads).

 

[j706]

41.5 grains of IMR4895 or 4064 with 168 SMK's. Keep in mind you need to stick with powders that have a burn rate in line with the original design. (Not to fast or slow burn rates) Much deviation can result in bent operating rods and some other pressure type problems.

 

[indyjohn]

Hodgdon Varget + Sierra MatchKing = Minute of Angle @ 500 yds in an M1A.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned this already. Varget is known for it's consistent performance at different temperatures and humidity. So your dope in the spring for a batch of reloads will be the same in July.