I go with fast powders over heavy projectiles. One still needs enough gas or energy to work the action. The heavy projectiles take up case capasity that going faster with powder takes away. 30-31 stacks so you get good case fill. I would avoid ball powders for this exercise.
This could really help if the op has the ability or is willing to open up the gas port size for more flow. I built my AR with an adjustable gas block and it was an option from xtreme to get a larger port for wider adjustment with a tunable gas block. The gas block alone probably won't help.Schuster adjustable gas plug.
They make them for both the M1 Garand and the M1A.
I'd do it on an old kit gun or whatever just to have a new project. His is new I thought. Any way . On the moneyThis could really help if the op has the ability or is willing to open up the gas port size for more flow. I built my AR with an adjustable gas block and it was an option from xtreme to get a larger port for wider adjustment with a tunable gas block. The gas block alone probably won't help.
I just purchased an loaded M1A. I'm getting old and would like to work up some rounds for reduced recoil. I'm using H4895 and have, with this powder, used the "60% rule" to come up with mild shooting but accurate rounds for bolt action rifles. On the M1A (Sierra Bullets manual) the top load for H4895 is 39.9 grains ... 60% would put the low recoil round in the 24 grain region. The question is how low can I go before the action fails to cycle reliably. Anyone got some thoughts on this? Please share any reduced recoil loads you have had success with on an M1A.
Thanks!
@Dane R. Marley Where did you find this cool piece of information? I recall seeing a list like this years ago and have searched for it off and on for a long while now.
Hodgdons has repeatedly stated that H4895 can be reduced to 60% of max safely.@Denny Gibson
I load .308 to Service Rifle levels for my M1 Garand (converted to .308) and my Ruger SFAR.
I use the Hodgdon Reloading site and I scroll to “.308 Winchester Service Rifle”
Here is a screenshot of a load screen for a 150 grain projectile and H4895 powder.
View attachment 1203320
That screenshot is from here:
Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center
hodgdonreloading.com
I don’t know if this helps, but this is where I get my service rifle load info. As you can see the staring recommended charge is only about 3% below maximum. I definitely wouldn’t be comfortable shooting a 20% or 40% reduction in powder charge with a gun designed for that min-max pressure window. But that’s just me.
Thank you. I wasn’t aware of that.Hodgdons has repeatedly stated that H4895 can be reduced to 60% of max safely.
As you can see the staring recommended charge is only about 3% below maximum. I definitely wouldn’t be comfortable shooting a 20% or 40% reduction in powder charge with a gun designed for that min-max pressure window.
I can't remember, I think I goggle NATO M80 load data and found it@Dane R. Marley Where did you find this cool piece of information? I recall seeing a list like this years ago and have searched for it off and on for a long while now.
Thank you for posting that. I appreciate it. I saved a snapshot of it for future reference.
I loaded some M80 rounds last week.
Um, been on their web sight forever. Glad your caught up because it's useful to know.I sent Hodgdon an email about the 60% H4895 loads. -
I got a response:
Hi Tom,
See attached for a description of the 60% rule for H4895 powder
IMR 4895 is different and not included in this rule
Thank You for using our powders and have a blessed day!
See the attachment