need a little advice on 308 loads

[nova512]

ok here we go, ive been out with my m1a 3 times i have a springfield 6x40 scope, i have loaded up hornady 150 gr fmj with 45.5 grains of imr 4064 im getting about 1 3/4-2"groups at 100 yards,i also use 168 gr amax with 43.5 gr of 4064 getting 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 groups at 100 yards i am not crimping the bullets,, is this sound like a good group? or should the gun do better,, with my sps 700 varmint i was getting .50-.75 moa at 100 yards with the same amax load. my shooting abilities are not the concern lmao.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I would say for a factory M1A that's pretty decent - assuming you didn't buy the super-accurized, kevlar stocked, bedded version.

A semi-auto is just never going to equal the accuracy of a bolt action rifle.

 

[sloughfoot]

Both of your loads are pretty warm for an M1-A. They are both about 2 grains over maximum in the Hornady Service rifle load book.

You might want to consider 40.5 grains for the 168. That is a traditional M1-A 168 Highpower load used for many years by many competitors. 1/2 minute with a match M1-A is not uncommon.

If yours is a standard model, those group sizes are not bad at all.

 

[Yeah]

Where are you seating your bullets in relation to the lands in each rifle?

I've never found anything that Amax preferred to jump in, and more was always worse.

 

[Litlratt]

Shot thousands of rounds in two different half minute M1As.
168 SMK
41.5 gr IMR4895
LC Match cases
WLR primers

 

[Robert Richardson]

Shot thousands of rounds in two different half minute M1As.
168 SMK
41.5 gr IMR4895
LC Match cases
WLR primers

Yep,this is a very good load.Also used this in my Fal with very good results.Same load we used years ago in Highpower comp.