[Dave R]

I have my rifle zeroed perfectly at 200 yards with NATO surplus. Have tried several handload recipes looking for one tht will shoot to the same POA, but have not been successful. Even 130 gr. bullets pushed faster than 2700fps/NATO seem to impact low.

While browsing reloading manuals at the store I ran across one reference to a bullet mfgr. who had a commercial evuivalent of the NATO bullet, but I didn't write it down and now ca't find it again.

Anyone have a recipe that duplicates the NATO load?

[Fatelvis]

Check out this site: http://masterpostemple.bravepages.com/762mil.htm (masterpostemple.bravepages.com/762mil.htm)

[Dave R]

Good. Thanks.

[saands]

Dave ... I have been AMAZED in the past by the mil-surp ammo shooting to such a different POI ... but after many years of thinking about it, I think that it is all about matching the velocity with the same bullet weight ... faster DOES mean flatter trajectory, but that results in a higher POI only if the barrel is pointed in the same direction ... faster also means that the bullet will leave the barrel sooner and since the barrel is vibrating, leaving it sooner will VERY likely result in a barrel that is pointed in a different direction (and lower is just as likely as anything else). That's why, if you want it to shoot to the same POI, I'd suggest loading the the ammo to the same velocity.

Good luck,
Saands

[LeonCarr]

Hey Dave R,

If memory serves me right (and sometimes it does) most, if not all, of your major bullet manufacturers make a 147/150 grain FMJBT bullet, equivalent/similar to the bullet used in 7.62 NATO M80 Ball Ammunition. Also places like www.gibrass.com offer M80 bullets for reloading pulled from military ammunition. In my experience, the Sierra 150 grain FMJBT is the most accurate.

7.62 NATO M80 Ball Ammunition is loaded to +/- 2750 feet per second, easily duplicated by handloading. Consult the loading manuals, and try IMR 4895 first. Also follow all procedures for safe handloading. (my disclaimer :))

I hope that answered your question.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[Dave R]

Thanks, Leon. I found that obscure reference in the Speer manual to their M80 equivalent ("Specialty Bullets"). Got some. Saands, have no Chrony, but loaded a wide spread of charges. Matched the OAL of the surplus cartridges. That Sierra M80 equivalent sure _looks_ right.

I have high hopes one of these loads will go where I want it to.

Then, if I'm lucky their spitzer SP will go to the same place...

[GooseGestapo]

Actually, depending who (what company) loaded the ammo, your POI/POA may change using different Mil-spec ammo. ***
Some use extruded or flake powder (some of the forgien ammo), but most NATO spec 7.62x51 uses a spherical powder.
Some will use a Boat Tail bullet, others a flat base.
Depending on your rifle, each of these even loaded to same velocity (NOT LIKELY) will shoot to different POI due to above mentioned variations.

I would suggest you use mil-spec powders, bullets, and brass to minimize variations. A good source for these is www.gibrass.com.

The Sierra's are what I found to be most accurate too, but some of the old Lake City match bullets from back in the '60's would run them a close race.

The Sierra 155gr HP Match bullet will shoot very close to 148 BT-FMJ and will be even more accurate than the FMJ.

***BTW, that's why most battle rifles have good adjustable sights.

[Pumpkinheaver]

I use either pulled mil surplus bullets or the winchester 147 FMJ over Varget for most of my shooting. They shoot to the same POI as the port ammo I was using before, at least in my L1A1 and velocity in within 50fps.