The following is something I send to people that request information about M1A ammunition. Let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
We recommend commercial US manufactured to SAAMI spec .308 WIN. Military surplus 7.62x51 should also be okay to use (unless it's Indian surplus...which is usually junk). Below is something I send out to individuals that ask ammunition information...
.308 WIN & 7.62 x 51 NATO are virtually the same. Both can be used in our M1As. In fact, we test fire for function with military surplus and test fire for accuracy with commercial .308.
We recommend:
Black Hills (168-175 gr.): Best for accuracy
Federal Gold Medal (168 gr.): Best for accuracy
Winchester Failsafe (good for hunting)
Federal Nozler Ballistic Tip (good for hunting)
Most other commercial ammo will be okay
Best is 168 gr. (match grade). 147 gr. to 150 gr. is good for just prinking around at the range (less expensive as well).
Molly Coated (okay, but with this type if you start using it you should stay with it). The gas system requires cleaning more often.
We DO NOT recommend:
Soft point, it may or may not feed. Lead shears off the tip and can build up in the action and cause problems
Steel Ammo is sub-standard, 'junk' Chinese. Cavim ammo is head stamped on the case.
Stay away from Corrosive ammo or any ammo that would stick to a magnet. It will wear down the lands and grooves quickly (not covered in our warranty if used).
Anything 180 gr. and above is too hard on the rifle.
Anything around 100 gr. and less will not allow the rifle to function properly (short stroke).
IF you use NATO surplus: Be careful, some of it is junk. It depends on where and how it was stored. You can get an indication by looking at it. I've heard instances where people threw away 20% or more of the surplus they bought because of its condition as well as the casings not manufactured to specs. STAY AWAY FROM INDIAN SURPLUS! It's cheap for a reason.
Also, never buy loose rounds. Only buy unopened/sealed boxes.
You can't quote the following as 100% accurate, these are ONLY recommendations I have got from other shooters:
NATO SURPLUS:
Lake City Army Ammuntion (USA): THE BEST SURPLUS AVAILABLE, very pricey, NATO cross stamp
Argentine: Good when found, stamped FM or SF
Australian ADI (Australian Defense Industries): Good, stamped AFF or MF
Portuguese: Good, stamped BF
Radway Green (British): Very Good, getting more expensive, NATO cross
stamp
German: Real good, stamped MEN and DAG, expensive
Hirtenberger: Real good, getting more expensive, stamped HP
Israel Military Industries: Hear it's real good, stamped IMI, S, SA, SB,
TA, TZ, or TZZ.
Malaysian: Good, hard to find, stamped MAL
Santa Barbra (Spain): Real Good, stamped SB/7.62x51
South Africa: Good, stamped R1M1
Royal Ordnance (Indian): AGAIN, it's cheap for a reason.
xxxx xxxx
Regional Dealer Representative
Springfield Armory
420 West Main St.
Geneseo, IL 61254
800-680-6866
[email protected]