150gr FMJBT / H4895 M1A Load

[StandingTall]

This question has probably been asked before, but I couldn't find it doing a search here.

I've started reloading for my M1A, and purchased these bullets from Berry's:
http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14665-c50-g8-b0-p0-.30_Cal_150gr_FMJBT_Bullets_250ct.aspx

Here's my question:

My loadbook calls for a minimum COAL of 2.800 with a 150gr FMJ and H4895. Seating it at that depth leaves the cannelure sticking out quite a bit. Just doesn't "look right". Cases have been trimmed to 2.005 and I'm using LC brass.

For you M1A folks, would seating my bullet at around 2.750 - 2.755 (just below the cannelure) cause any problems that you are aware of?

Thanks.

 

[cfullgraf]

Just because a bullet has a cannelure, you do not have to seat to it.

On the other hand, the bullets your manual used may not have had a cannelure or it was in a different location.

I know that Hornady's 150 FMJBT cannelure is positioned for 308 Winchester with the M1A in mind. When I load those bullets for my Garand, I do not seat to the cannelure and it shows.

But, if you are seating deeper than your load data, start with charges at the low end of the data and work up. Deeper seating of bullets will raise pressures.

The M1A has a limit to overall length if you plan to use a magazine. I forget what that is.

Hope this helps.

 

[StandingTall]

The M1A has a limit to overall length if you plan to use a magazine. I forget what that is.

I made some dummy rounds seated at 2.755 and fed them into the weapon through the magazine. Didn't have any issues with feeding or extracting. My main concern is the overpressure.

Also, I am using a Wilson case headspace gauge to check the brass after resizing.

 

[Robert101]

Those 150 grainers look like the Hornady bullets. I believe 2.80 is the max OAL. You can seat deeper and also you don't have to seat to the cannelure. I typically will seat deeper in an attempt to use the cannelure. When doing so, I reduce the powder charge working from the lower end of the spectrum. My rifle doesn't have any issues with bullets seated at max or reduced length OAL.

I use 40.6 grains of H4895 with a seating depth of 2.730 for the Hornady FMJBT. This gives about 2,500 FPS out of my 20" barrel. It also gets the bullet to the cannelure.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I use those bullets in my M1A and seated to the cannelure.

 

[StandingTall]

I use those bullets in my M1A and seated to the cannelure.

What powder and charge are you using if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

46.0gr of BLC-2 = M80 Ball

That measure consistently meters all charges at 46.0gr or 46.1gr.

 

[diananike]

Any 150-155gr bullet
H4895
43-44gr in Commercial cases
42-43gr in military cases
This is a very close replication of mil-spec ball in terms of speed
Works like a charm in my M14.
Nuff said