Yesterday's Weapons Forums

Hi,

I'm looking for a recommended hand load for this bullet in surplus Lake City brass.

Any thoughts? Any suggested links?

Thanks!

Richard

I'm one of the IMR4895 users, with 150 fmjfb bullets for a "plinking" load. 48gr gets real close to the military spec.
For target shooting it's 4064 with a Sierra 168gr Matchking. 47gr gets real close to the Match spec of 2666fps.
My M1 with a Fulton barrel shoots both nicely but likes the 168's better.

In his article "Reloading for the M1 Rifle, American Rifleman magazine, March 1986, John R. Clarke recommends:

Using Sierra 168 gr. HPBT match bullet (not Nosler)
Fed. 210 M primer
Lake City M brass

46.5 gr. IMR 3031 - 2697 fps.
47.5 gr. IMR 4895 - 2676 fps.
48.5 gr. IMR 4064 - 2635 fps.
48.0 gr. H4895 - 2706 fps.
47.5 WW 748 - 2587 fps.

You may have to tailor the load you use to your individual rifle; depending on wear factor in the gas system, etc., you may find that your own rifle likes a charge that's been increased a grain or a half-grain.

I shoot mostly 150-152 gr. bullets in my M-1 Rifles. Part of that has to do with my having a supply of pulled milsurp M-2 bullets, and part of it is because I tend to try to replicate service loads in my milsurp rifles. Many shooters find that they get increased accuracy from heavier bullets, specifically in the 173-180 gr. range. It's probably no accident that the service match bullet is 173 grains (Army tech manual says 175.5, but that's close enough).

If you are still interested

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satell ... agenum%3D1

will these perform in a M1903A3 as well ?

Hi A square. Yes, these loads are used in both rifles.
If I were going to load up a match 03 load I would try 4350 with a 155gr bullet first.