M1 and M1a Powder for rolling my own???

[Ken in Iowa]

On the primer recommendation, we had good success with Remington 9 1/2 in M1 and M14 with IMR 4895.

In bolt guns, Federal 210M was our standard for many calibers from 22/250 to 308. As was already mentioned, they may be too sensitive for semi-auto.

You are well on your way bombdog. Looking forward to your reports.

[PhillipM]

VV N140 is the best powder, if you can find it. It is gun cotton based, making it cleaner than anything else.

Buy a primer pocket uniformer and use whatever primer you want.

Nosler 155 CC are the best bullets Ive found for 200 yard JCG matches. 168 are crummy past 300.

Your mileage may vary.

[PhillipM]

Fortunately, in CMP Match shooting, you get five sighters before recorded shots, which give you an opportunity to pre-foul.

I keep my barrel fouled and zeroed at the same range as the match so I just get my crap together and dryfire during the sighters.

That way, i save walking 800 yards on our 200 yard walk up and paste match and it seems to freak other shooters out.

[psteinmayer]

I keep my barrel fouled and zeroed at the same range as the match so I just get my crap together and dryfire during the sighters.

That way, i save walking 800 yards on our 200 yard walk up and paste match and it seems to freak other shooters out.

I sort of do the same thing... in that I let my son shoot the rifle first, and then it's already nice and fouled for me. Also, I shoot all of my matches at 200 (at the same club) so I don't have to re-zero. Since Camp Perry is 200, then I'm only compensating a very tiny amount. I prefer to NOT shoot at 100 using the 200 SR targets because that requires recalibration... something I hate to do! I do use the five sighters though... to make sure I'm still on target and my rounds are going where I intend them to go, LOL.

[bombdog]

Okay, just to update the post, still trying to develop this round... i've fired some (8 round enblocs) for accuracy and functionability... The 150 fmj Hornady's with 48.2g of IMR4064 was pretty good... Tryed the same bullet with some other charges, but i'm just not satisfied with my results... My rifle is way more accurate... Will continue...
bombdog...

[milboltnut]

If you want to do a trigger job it's not to bad. Other authors say to stay away from the hammer hooks lengths... to eliminate travel.

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerdog/generalstorage/tempworkingdirectory/M1%20Trigger.pdf

[bombdog]

If you want to do a trigger job it's not to bad. Other authors say to stay away from the hammer hooks lengths... to eliminate travel.

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...%20Trigger.pdf

my M1 has one, 5.1lb pull according to the gauge we used... my M1a's is 4.8ish... Both are great glass rods...
bombdog, out...

[milboltnut]

mines 4 lbs. after working it.

[1-12 INF (M)]

I think bullet selection is more important than powder. 4895, 4964 and Varget all work. I've had good luck with Sierra and Speer 125s, and 155 and 168 SMKs. Widener's 168g 'surplus' bullets had weight variances of as much as 6.5g's. For a cheaper bullet, the Hornady 150 FMJs work well.

[1-12 INF (M)]

I've also had good success with 125g flat-base bullets from Speer and Sierra.

[bombdog]

So, after months of trying, and a lot of just having fun just cooking for my best girl and having her eat what i fixed, i have a 3.52"group @ 200yds, prone W/sling... PPU case with a CCI 34, 155grSMK over 48gr IMR4064...
i want to personally thank all you guys for the help... After all, alice would most likely be still sick from my cooking...
One last question though... i'm getting ready for my M14 next, is there a case gauge made for the 7.62X51 NATO cartridge???
i await input...
tango mike...
bombdog, out...

[1-12 INF (M)]

That's bound to be a good combo. Overall, I've had better luck with the 155's and 4064 than most other combinations. (altho' 80g seems like quite a bit!) Also, I have a Hornady gauge for .308 that checks ammo that works fine in my M14 and .308 M1. You sure don't want a shoulder not set back quite far enough in a gas gun.

[bombdog]

Uh, yeah maybe i shoulda checked my notes, lol... 48 grains... i guess that's why we should check the reloading manuals huh???
Now i feel like a total ID10T...
bombdog, uh yeah...

[1-12 INF (M)]

For a less expensive option, I've also had good results from the Hornady 150g FMJs.

[bombdog]

For a less expensive option, I've also had good results from the Hornady 150g FMJs.

The Hornady 150 FMJ's gave me a 5.7" gp the same day with the same charge...
Which is incase no one has seen my edited reply (48gr 4064), not 80... Maybe in my 1917, ouch...
bombdog...