Reduced powder charge for M1A

I go with fast powders over heavy projectiles. One still needs enough gas or energy to work the action. The heavy projectiles take up case capasity that going faster with powder takes away. 30-31 stacks so you get good case fill. I would avoid ball powders for this exercise.
 
AJC1 said:
I go with fast powders over heavy projectiles. One still needs enough gas or energy to work the action. The heavy projectiles take up case capasity that going faster with powder takes away. 30-31 stacks so you get good case fill. I would avoid ball powders for this exercise.
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Good point. I've used H335 in some 150grn 7.62mm loads, and they performed well enough, but I don't think a light (110grn) bullet with a minimum charge of H335 would be a great idea. I would probably pick something like H4895, start at the starting charge, and start backing off of it until bolt cycle on a full magazine becomes an issue.
 
thump_rrr said:
Schuster adjustable gas plug.
They make them for both the M1 Garand and the M1A.
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This could really help if the op has the ability or is willing to open up the gas port size for more flow. I built my AR with an adjustable gas block and it was an option from xtreme to get a larger port for wider adjustment with a tunable gas block. The gas block alone probably won't help.
 
AJC1 said:
This could really help if the op has the ability or is willing to open up the gas port size for more flow. I built my AR with an adjustable gas block and it was an option from xtreme to get a larger port for wider adjustment with a tunable gas block. The gas block alone probably won't help.
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I'd do it on an old kit gun or whatever just to have a new project. His is new I thought. Any way . On the money
 
Do you require that your M1A function or would you be willing to operate it as a straight pull?
Some years ago, I did some .30-06 shooting with what Ken Waters said Norma called ".30-30-06" which is what it sounds like, .30-06 loaded to .30-30 velocity.
I also tried the old 300 meter load, a 173 boattail at 2300 fps.
I later loaded some .30-06 to about .300 Savage velocity for a "small statured shooter."
I recall no schmutz but I was not shooting an M1, bolt actions only.
 
Denny Gibson said:
I just purchased an loaded M1A. I'm getting old and would like to work up some rounds for reduced recoil. I'm using H4895 and have, with this powder, used the "60% rule" to come up with mild shooting but accurate rounds for bolt action rifles. On the M1A (Sierra Bullets manual) the top load for H4895 is 39.9 grains ... 60% would put the low recoil round in the 24 grain region. The question is how low can I go before the action fails to cycle reliably. Anyone got some thoughts on this? Please share any reduced recoil loads you have had success with on an M1A.

Thanks!
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As the load chart shown by @Dane R. Marley, 40.5 grains of IMR 4895 and a 168 were a popular load in a M1a. I used that in a new barrel, and for standing and sitting rapid fire. No problem using it at 300 yards, generally would bump it up for long range. And as the barrel gained a thousand or two rounds, the load would go up a half grain till the max was 41.5 grains IMR 4895.

The best accuracy in your rifle will be at "service level" loads. Service rifles have complicated vibrational dynamics, due to moving parts, parts on the barrel, etc. Over time the service rifle teams figured out the sweet spots, both in mechanical fitting, and ammunition.

If the recoil bothers you, fill the buttplate hole with lead shot, and top it off with pennies to keep the lead inside. That's what I did for my match rifles.
 
@Denny Gibson
I load .308 to Service Rifle levels for my M1 Garand (converted to .308) and my Ruger SFAR.
I use the Hodgdon Reloading site and I scroll to “.308 Winchester Service Rifle”
Here is a screenshot of a load screen for a 150 grain projectile and H4895 powder.
IMG_9654.png
That screenshot is from here:

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com hodgdonreloading.com

I don’t know if this helps, but this is where I get my service rifle load info. As you can see the staring recommended charge is only about 3% below maximum. I definitely wouldn’t be comfortable shooting a 20% or 40% reduction in powder charge with a gun designed for that min-max pressure window. But that’s just me.
 
Dane R. Marley said:
Text Font
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@Dane R. Marley Where did you find this cool piece of information? I recall seeing a list like this years ago and have searched for it off and on for a long while now.

Thank you for posting that. I appreciate it. I saved a snapshot of it for future reference.
 
OP try some 110 grain loads if you have the means. They are much lighter in recoil and shoot very well out of the M1/M14 platform.

Also if you have access to the Hornady manual they have a reputation for being pretty light and they have a page for .30 service rifle loads. Any starting load from that data will be a creampuff
 
Pat Riot said:
@Denny Gibson
I load .308 to Service Rifle levels for my M1 Garand (converted to .308) and my Ruger SFAR.
I use the Hodgdon Reloading site and I scroll to “.308 Winchester Service Rifle”
Here is a screenshot of a load screen for a 150 grain projectile and H4895 powder.
View attachment 1203320
That screenshot is from here:

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com hodgdonreloading.com

I don’t know if this helps, but this is where I get my service rifle load info. As you can see the staring recommended charge is only about 3% below maximum. I definitely wouldn’t be comfortable shooting a 20% or 40% reduction in powder charge with a gun designed for that min-max pressure window. But that’s just me.
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Hodgdons has repeatedly stated that H4895 can be reduced to 60% of max safely.
 
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You might try some Tactical Rifle from Shooters World. I haven't tried in 308 Winchester, but they have a reduced load for 223 Remington using Tactical Rifle and a 55-grain bullet. Standard velocity (2900+fps) charges are in the mid-20 grain range. I use their light load and it works in my rifle length 20" barrel down to 17.5 grains. Velocity is down to upper 2400s and low 2500s. It's a great shooting load for practice, and the brass brushes my right shoulder and lands in a neat pile just behind me. I shoot left-handed, and an ejected case will occasionally hit my right shoulder. For short range match shooting, it might work for a 150-155 grain match bullet, though you may have to dig a bit or cook your own for the reduced charge.
 
Pat Riot said:
As you can see the staring recommended charge is only about 3% below maximum. I definitely wouldn’t be comfortable shooting a 20% or 40% reduction in powder charge with a gun designed for that min-max pressure window.
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That's why I suggested H4895 in my post above... over even IMR4895... because of the ability to safely download it, per the manufacturer. Starting at minimums and backing it down is not unlike some do with target velocity loads in .45ACP, for example. The bonus for H4895 is that it works very well with the Garand/M1a gas system, even at reduced levels... within reason, of course.
 
forget lighter powder charges, the rifle needs to cycle.

try light bullets, 110, 130 gr etc.

they will have mild recoil.

Also, think about an AR15, in 6.8SPC or 6.5Grendel, light, handy, more horsepower than .223, and very little recoil
 
I sent Hodgdon an email about the 60% H4895 loads. -
I got a response:

Hi Tom,
See attached for a description of the 60% rule for H4895 powder

IMR 4895 is different and not included in this rule

Thank You for using our powders and have a blessed day!

See the attachment
 

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Pat Riot said:
I sent Hodgdon an email about the 60% H4895 loads. -
I got a response:

Hi Tom,
See attached for a description of the 60% rule for H4895 powder

IMR 4895 is different and not included in this rule

Thank You for using our powders and have a blessed day!

See the attachment
Click to expand...
Um, been on their web sight forever. Glad your caught up because it's useful to know.

RIFLESHOOTER.COM did a wonderful test in 2017.
 
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