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Sir Martin
Hi, what powders do you reccommend for a 308 M1a national match?
I want to make some good match ammo.

Martin Janczak
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Sir Martin
    what is the differnce between imr4831 and hodgson h4831. are they similar or what. looking to use the h4831 for 30-06 150 gr. ballistic tips. my lee book has the two listed consecutive in the burning rate. are the weights similar? or is one powder heavier? any help would be appreciated
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  • GPWEAPON
    My favorite load was one grain short of max with H-380 under a 168 gr. Serria or hornady thru a chrony this load was the lowest extreme spread on any of the powders I've tried something like 30 fps. although the federal gold medal match spreads at about 25 fps. pretty hard to beat. problem with H-380 is it's dirty and gums up the bolt pretty fast. my regular across the course load was the 168 over around 40.5 grs. of N-135 it spread around 45fps, not ideal for 600yds but acceptable. the staple for High Power shooters for years was 42.5 grs. of IMR or H-4895 with IMR-4064 commanding a following not shure of the gr. count on the 4064. I always liked to stay on the slower side when reloading since the M1A is hard on the brass, three firings on a case being the max I'd be comfortable with. after that head seperation becomes a concern a broken case extractor should be part of your kit. WW- 748 works for some as I'm shure 3031 would be good with the lighter heads, it was great in a .243 I once reloaded for. I would suggest small base dies.
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  • buddyb
    I have had good results with IMR 4064
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  • Sir Martin
    so there isnt any specific powders i need to use just because it is a semi auto military rifle?

    Martin
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  • heavyiron
    Hi Sir Martin,

    Nope. Just find one that shoots good with your combination of components. I like BL-C2.

    Regards,

    Heavyiron[8D]

    bullitt_county_4199_small.jpg
    "If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix
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  • FrancF
    168 grain Sierra Matchking
    43.5 grains of IMR 4895 (not to be confused with H-4895)
    CCI-BR2

    4064, BL-C2 Varget all work very well in my M1A.

    Here is a link to another forum that I belong to with some good info on Palma Loads-
    http://www.long-range.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2602






    sniper.gif
    NRA Life Endowment Member
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  • remingtongeo
    All the loads above are very good. I use the GPWEAPON's N-135 load on reduced course shoots. I like a 175 grain bullet with Winchester 748. It's a little heat sensitive, but controllable. I have a 1:10 twist stainless barrel on my M1A.

    Gun controll is a good eye and a steady hand.NRA instructor and coach.
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  • temblor
    There is load data in the newer Hornady Manuals specificly for the M1A. -- It does matter which powders you use as some with the wrong burn rate can damage the gun even if they are perfectly safe in other types of guns. The same goes for M1 Garands. -- Good luck..............[8D]
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  • JustC
    I beleive the match military ammo is loaded with a powder that has a burn rate very very close to RL15. That may be your best bet.

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • Ray Boone
    The additional concern you're facing with the auto-loader is getting a powder to be at the correct pressure as the bullet passes the gas port. If the pressure is too high thenthe action can be damaged and if too low, the action will not cycle correctly. Fortunately, the 7.62 is a very "balanced" cartridge, and powders that work best in the cartridge, that is the slightly faster side of slow powders also work best in the gas system- these are powders from the 4895/H335 through the ones faster than 4350.- most of the ones mentioned above.
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