M1A Load question

R

rifleman0311

New member
Heres my load data for my last batch

Brass- mixed Perfecta and PPU
Bullet- 168 Sierra HPBT
41 grains IMR4895
COAL- 2.8
Brass length- 2.005-2.015

Ive been reloading my 30-06 with good results (different loads of course) but my last trip to the range was my first time using the handloads with my M1A scout. I had about 75 rounds and about 6 or 7 didn't seem as loud as the others and the rounds would not have enough pressure to blowback causing me to manually eject. I had one round get stuck in the bore. Thankfully I caught this before attempting to fire; I must say I was a little freaked out and have to be more cautious when using the semi vs bolt action. Looking at my loads.....what can be done to prevent this? Should I bump another half grain or grain? I also may have trusted my powder thrower too much and plan to weigh each charge before seating the bullet in the future. Any advice would be great....I'm not looking to switch powders, bullets, or casings. thanks in advance.

Also, what is the best technique for weighing each charge? (ie, from the thrower, to scale, to the casing) I'm using the LEE breach kit, don't have anything too high speed.
 
41gr is a starting load on imr site, while I don't think that should cause one to get stuck in the chamber it heightens the probability when coupled with other factors. How were you dispensing and measuring powder ? Which primers were you using?
 
I was using the CCI primers and the powder thrower that came with the lee set. I just dropped the powder into the casings, checking the thrower about every 3-5 rounds making sure it was still at 41gr with a digital scale
 
Heres my load data for my last batch

Brass- mixed Perfecta and PPU
Bullet- 168 Sierra HPBT
41 grains IMR4895
COAL- 2.8
Brass length- 2.005-2.015


Ive been reloading my 30-06 with good results (different loads of course) but my last trip to the range was my first time using the handloads with my M1A scout. I had about 75 rounds and about 6 or 7 didn't seem as loud as the others and the rounds would not have enough pressure to blowback causing me to manually eject. I had one round get stuck in the bore.
Click to expand...

I have shot thousands if not tens of thousands of rounds with 41.0 grains of IMR 4895, 168 Match, in an M1a. This is an excellent and reliable load. Your malfunctions are not due to the powder, powder charge. I am of the opinion that your malfunctions were due to insufficient powder charges. Until you get your process perfect, weigh each charge. Something is going on with your powder measure, weigh each charge.
 
Like Slamfire says, minimum loads will cycle an M1A. Ditto for weighing every charge. Especially when working up the loads. No picking one and hoping.
Sounds like the thrower may have not been tightened enough and worked loose. Or you didn't operate it exactly the same every time. Doesn't take much to drop less than is needed.
Trim your cases all to the same length too. Isn't a safety thing, but you'll get inconsistent lengths otherwise.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I will keep the same load then, Ill just weigh each charge before seating the bullet. At least I know my load makes sense and it was operator error then.

last question.....crimp or no crimp???
 
last question.....crimp or no crimp???
Click to expand...

There is absolutely no reason to crimp a match bullet. Ensure that neck tension is adequate, basically, you want enough neck tension that it is hard to push a bullet down the case neck.

The match bullets we have are the best that have ever been. Jackets are more concentric than ever. Concentricity is extremely important to a bullet. You want the center of gravity to be in the axis of rotation. If the bullet is a little heavy to one side, due for example, non concentric jacket, or an uneven lead core, the bullet will oscillate a bit. Ever seen a NFL Quarterback throw a wounded duck? Instead of a nice spiral the football wobbles down field. Bullets that have the center of gravity outside the axis of rotation are going to wobble. Crimping a perfectly good bullet will deform the jacket and deform the core. Squish the soft lead core and it stays deformed, and that is also likely to create an air gap between the copper jacket, which being a different material, reacts differently. Crimping will result in an unpredictable shift in the center of gravity because you are unpredictably shifting the material around.

There are others who think they can improve on the accuracy of the worlds best match bullets with a crimp die, and these people are deluded. Might as well smash them with a hammer.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top