Looking for recipe: M1A. 311291, Varget or 4895

[drmellow]

Greetings fellow casters
I own an SA M1A and I am looking for a good recipe for 311291 using Varget or IMR4895 please. Other options may be Unique or #2400. I am looking for a recipe that will cycle the rifle and eject the round and not approach any op rod damage. I am willing to experiment, but want to start with a close grain load of powder. I have read the M14 Cast sticky, but it did not give any examples of 311291 using Varget or 4895. Thanks
Dave

[BruceB]

At the load levels we typically use with CAST bullets, the specific bullet design is not particularly important, so far as pressures are concerned.

In the case of your 311291, data for ANY 170-180 grain bullet can be substituted as long as you are not loading to maximums....very rare with CAST bullets.

So.... try the load data posted with 4895 and almost any bullet design in the same general weight class.

Don't over-think the situation, and don't get bogged-down in details. Start low and work up.

[Larry Gibson]

Don't over-think the situation, and don't get bogged-down in details. Start low and work up.

BruceB is correct; start with 24 gr 4895 and a 3/4 gr dacron filler. Work up in 1/2 gr increments looking for 100% reliable functioning and a velocity in the 1800 - 1900 fps range. You will probably find it around 28 - 30 gr but work up to it anyway as each rifle is unto itself. Use 10 shot test strings for function and accuracy testing (100 yards). Any flavor of 4895 will work fine but I prefer H4895 because it ignites easily, is and "Extreme" powder and throws more accurately from powder throwers.

Larry Gibson

[PDshooter]

I concur....IMR4895 is the powder for the M1

[drmellow]

Thanks for the help. Sorry for taking so long to reply. My computer went down and needed to be replaced. I'll start working up some loads this weekend.
Dave

[truckjohn]

Also.. Don't overlook primer choice....

I have had some really weird/bad results with certain primers.. as in inconsistent ignition with loads that should have been easy/old hat... The only way I figured out it was the primer was shooting over a chrono and doing round-robins with various primers - all at the same time...

Thanks