'bout to give up on my .308!! NEED HELP!!

[captain-03]

Need some help, please!! For the past several months I have been trying to find a cast boolit load that will function my M1A Scout in .308 without success. I currently have 6 different 30 cal moulds available:

.308 / 30.06 / M1 Carbine / 7.62x39
Lyman #311410
Lyman #311359
Lee C309-120-R
Lee C312-155-2R
RCBS 30-165-SIL
Lee C309-200-R

I can not seem to find any load for any of the boolits above that will function my action. The closest I have come is using either 24gr of 2400 or 23gr of SR4759 with the RCBS boolit which weights out at approx 175gr dressed. Both of these loads are maximum according to the reloading manuals. However, they DO extract the spent case but DO NOT chamber the next round. Both loads are fairly accurate.

Been using straight WWs which have been heat treated. I have had no leading problems.

I have read the sticky threads on the forum and the M14 forum but nothing seems to be working for me.

Anyone out there with a load that will function an M1A Scout or regular M1A action? I need some help here, please!!

[runfiverun]

try 30 grs of 4895.
you might need a filler of dacron to help hold the powder in the cases to a regular position.
so you have some consistancy of ignition.
your problem is gas volumn not load.
you are gonna have to find a balance between gas volumn and accuracu/velocity.
think outside the box a bit here.

[Mk42gunner]

I have never even handled an M1-A scout but I have messed with a lot of M-14s. It stands to reason that with a shorter (16"?) barrel versus the standard 22" you would need a different load.

Here are a couple of suggestions:
1. The next time you clean your gas piston, make sure the gas port is clear.
2. Try a different magazine.


Robert

[deltaenterprizes]

Try faster powders, look in the front of your reloading book for a chart of the relative burning rates of powders. Use the load data for the faster powders. 3031 is one that comes to mind also AA2230 is another.

[hornsurgeon]

if you want to modify your rifle (which i would thin twice about doing) opening up your gas prot from the barrel may help. i know ar shooters do this. do not get too open, as that can be dangerous. also, have you checked you gas port size? it could be undersized. find out the spec and check it out.

[gds]

I don't have a M1A, but I do have a L1A1 and a 1919 belt fed in .308. I have a buddy that has a DPMS .308 AR.

I use the lee 155 gr sized to .310 with 29 grains of reloader 7. It functions all of them fine. I leave the gas setting the same on the L1a1 as its set for firing nato rounds. My buddy got the best groups he has fired out of his DPMS using this same load. I can't remember the speed but i think i was getting some where around 1900 fps. this may be wrong though.

I don't know if it will work for you but it does for me.

Gratuitous picture of the 1919
and my kids:mrgreen::mrgreen:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/gdsjr/belt%20fed%20cast%20boolits/30calwithcastboolits006jpg.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/gdsjr/belt%20fed%20cast%20boolits/30calwithcastboolits003jpg.jpg


the oldest

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/gdsjr/belt%20fed%20cast%20boolits/30calwithcastboolits008jpg.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/gdsjr/belt%20fed%20cast%20boolits/30calwithcastboolits009jpg.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/gdsjr/belt%20fed%20cast%20boolits/30calwithcastboolits010jpg.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/gdsjr/belt%20fed%20cast%20boolits/30calwithcastboolits013jpg.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j243/gdsjr/belt%20fed%20cast%20boolits/30calwithcastboolits012jpg.jpg

the 2 youngest needed a little help pulling the trigger.

[Three44s]

I commend you on your child raising!!!

Raising good gun lovin' future voters!!!!

Three 44s

[Larry Gibson]

try 30 grs of 4895.
you might need a filler of dacron to help hold the powder in the cases to a regular position.
so you have some consistancy of ignition.
your problem is gas volumn not load.
you are gonna have to find a balance between gas volumn and accuracu/velocity.
think outside the box a bit here.

I concur; especially with the 165 and 200 gr bullets sized .311 or "as cast". Start with 28 gr of 4895 (any flavor) and work up in 1 gr increments to 32 gr. Use a 1/2 gr dacron filler as mentioned.

Larry Gibson

[BruceB]

On the "CB Loads/Military Rifles" forum here at Cast Boolits, I have a "sticky" thread titled "7.62 NATO (.308 WCF) in the Springfield M1A".

There are many loads there that function my M1A very well. I strongly recommend that you read that thread.

Your powders tried to date are TOO FAST, repeat, TOO quick-burning. Pay attention to the suggestions already made about 4895, and I too size my bullets at .311".

I would forget about plain-base bullets, and concentrate on weights of 150 grains or heavier. Your rifle will work just fine once you start using powders that generate enough pressure at the gas port WITHOUT excessive pressure in the chamber.

[JDFuchs]

gds your a lucky man! In many ways.

Thank you for that load ill have to try it!

[looseprojectile]

Positive proof that shooting a 1919 puts a smile on your face. Great young ones.
I can see where you might have to reload a lot.
I enjoyed two of my grandsons, 15 and 17 years old, Monday and Tuesday. Now I have to clean a bunch of guns and do a lot of reloading. It don't get much better than that.
Got lots of RE 7.

Life is good

[gds]

On the "CB Loads/Military Rifles" forum here at Cast Boolits, I have a "sticky" thread titled "7.62 NATO (.308 WCF) in the Springfield M1A".

There are many loads there that function my M1A very well. I strongly recommend that you read that thread.

Your powders tried to date are TOO FAST, repeat, TOO quick-burning. Pay attention to the suggestions already made about 4895, and I too size my bullets at .311".

I would forget about plain-base bullets, and concentrate on weights of 150 grains or heavier. Your rifle will work just fine once you start using powders that generate enough pressure at the gas port WITHOUT excessive pressure in the chamber.

Bruce that is the thread I used to get my load worked up, You had done most of the work for me.:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

[gds]

I just got home and checked my data. I'm using 29.5 grains of RL 7 and getting 2200 FPS

[gds]

Guys i am very blessed in more ways than I can explain.

[Rod B]

I have had very good results in my .308 ( Ruger 77 VT) with a Lyman 311332 & 311644 using 18.5 grs to 19.5 of IMR 4759.

Groups under one inch at 100 yds. It's a very light load that can be shot all day without fatigue from recoil. :???:

[captain-03]

Thanks - any additional loads and/or suggestions??

[Leftoverdj]

Thanks - any additional loads and/or suggestions??

Take a look at chapter 10 of Lee #2. There's a lot of data in there on slower than normal powders at cast bullet pressures. As those wiser than I have already pointed out, you need to get your port pressure up while keeping your chamber pressure down. Slower powders are the way to do that.

I also think very highly of Lee C312-155-2R. It's unlikely to give feeding problems and has been accurate in all the rifles I have tried it in.

[squid1230]

GDS - how does the 1919 like the chocolate bullets? Or were those for the kids? ;)

My eldest is 5 and I'm thinking about getting him to come with me to the range sometime, any tips on not scaring the beejeesus out of them?

[runfiverun]

22 let him have fun and keep it short.
oh yeah , pizza or ice crfeam afterwards so you can talk about it some.
even if he don't like the shooting he will remember the time with you.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

GDS , great job with the kiddos, Nice boomers also, Captain-03 , agree with slower powders, I use 4895 in my M1A1 and it works fine...try the suggestions and work up to what you want , velosity/accuracy , buy the way if you give up PM me , I might take it off your hands....[smilie=1::drinks:

[gds]

GDS - how does the 1919 like the chocolate bullets? Or were those for the kids? ;)

My eldest is 5 and I'm thinking about getting him to come with me to the range sometime, any tips on not scaring the beejeesus out of them?

The chocolate bullets ended up being for everyone but me.:mrgreen: The left over cans are fun for storing stuff in though, and obviously do good for feeding the 1919.

With kids #1 is hearing protection, obvious I know. I first start out relatively young, about 3 just taking them with me to watch. Of course my range is 75 ft behind my house. After a few times they will want to shoot something. I start with a .22 revolver. I hold it and cock the hammer and let them pull the trigger. Usually that clinches it.

Its also good to use a reactive target, a soda can a piece of fruit, or a spinning target, or even just a piece of metal that dings when hit, something so they can see or hear a reaction. That really helps. A cheap spray pain can is really fun.

I also don't put anything in their hands that will have more recoil until they are ready. Except My oldest, but he had fired a .410 when he was really small that hurt, it took a little while to help him get over that. He was twelve before I had to force him to fire his Ak47. Now he likes shooting almost all of my arsenal.

With kids wait to put the powerful recoil stuff in their hands until they have been completely hooked, and they have a little meat on their bones. Also that they can laugh at themselves. Then when they end up on their rear, they will be able to laugh with everyone else.:mrgreen:

[captain-03]

Went out a purchased some H-4895 and have loaded a few (different boolits and different powder weights) ,, hope to give them a try late this afternoon -- too darn HOT during the day!!

[captain-03]

Well, I have met with some limited success. Pushing the 180gr cast boolit ahead of a full charge of 2400, 4 of the 5 rounds loaded extracted and chambered the next round in the M1A Scout. Accuracy was not so good ... H-4895 is beginning to show some good promise -- with both my 180gr and 195gr cast boolits. Even the minimum load extracted and chambered the next round. Accuracy was better with the H4895 but not where it needs to be. Will be working on some specific loads with this powder.

Thanks to all who help guide me duing this quest!!

[mroliver77]

Now you have the right powder you can work on loads. My M14S(Polytech) and M1A NM both shoot cast well. Keep us posted.
Jay