TooTaxed
Member
Fellows, I'd like to load some .308 NATO and .30-06, duplicating military/commercial match loads, using 168 and 187-gr FMJBT bullets and #4895 powder. Can you help me out with some recommendations? Thanks! 
Military Match Loads?
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ocabj
Member
You need to get a chronograph. Trust me. Don't just follow other people's recipes. Just because X amount of powder behind a Y weight bullet shoots Z fps in someone's rifle, doesn't mean it will shoot the same fps (and accuracy) in your rifle. I've got 3 M1 Garands that shoot with varied average muzzle velocities. IE, my SA with a SA barrel shoots consistently 50 fps slower than my HRA with an LMR barrel.
That said, I'm assuming when you refer to military match loads in the .30-06 that you are loading for the M1 Garand. If so, the sweet spot for 168 or 175 grain bullets at around 2550 fps. 45gr is a starting point. Work up from there.
I don't reload for the M14, which I'm assuming your reloading for since you make reference to military match loads, but 41.0gr is a good starting point for .308 loads in 168.
That said, I'm assuming when you refer to military match loads in the .30-06 that you are loading for the M1 Garand. If so, the sweet spot for 168 or 175 grain bullets at around 2550 fps. 45gr is a starting point. Work up from there.
I don't reload for the M14, which I'm assuming your reloading for since you make reference to military match loads, but 41.0gr is a good starting point for .308 loads in 168.
First off you might want to consider, as previously suggested, chrongraphing say some Fed GM Match in 308 and 3006. Then from there you need to be mindful of reloading for a semi auto. Then you just work on loading the ammo to meet your goals. There are no short cuts to reloading for your guns! Only lame ass people would shoot someone's loads. Safe reloading is the key!
My guess is that IMR 4064 ought to work in both the 308 and 06 for match loads,as it is associated with accuracy loads for both.
My guess is that IMR 4064 ought to work in both the 308 and 06 for match loads,as it is associated with accuracy loads for both.
30Cal
Member
For the M1A, most any of them will shoot well with 41.5grs IMR4895, surplus case, 168gr HPBTM at 2.82".
187grs is heavy. I'd be concerned about overstressing and bending the M1 oprod with those and certainly beating up the oprod on the M1A. Unless you've got a vented gas plug, I wouldn't go there.
Ty
187grs is heavy. I'd be concerned about overstressing and bending the M1 oprod with those and certainly beating up the oprod on the M1A. Unless you've got a vented gas plug, I wouldn't go there.
Ty
TooTaxed
Member
My .30-06 is a sporterized Springfield, and the .308 is a CETME. I'll probably use the 187-gr FMJBT in the Springfield, and the 168-gr FMJBT in the CETME...assuming the 187-gr is too heavy for the CETME. Any ideas there?
30Cal
Member
I would use data for 190gr HPBT Match.
Ty
Ty
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