Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles M1A

Is the M1A limited to the same powders as the Garand?
Don't want to mess up the op-rod on this one, either.

Much more forgiving....doesn't have the kinky hinky bends in the operating rod. It will digest anything...for a while. Still, prudence pays, middle of the burn chart for standard, 147 to 175 gr bullets. 3031 to 4320 are ideal.

The M1A is just about what John Garand wanted to end up with, but the Government told him they'd take the Garand as is. JG himself admitted the gas system was lacking and needed refinement, the Government said something about needing the M1, in large numbers, for an upcoming war.

Yes, not fussy at all. I even once loaded cast bullets as reduced loads (in an M14) and it still cycled the action - can't remember the details but it's probably recorded on paper in a box somewhere, was a long time ago before M14s were put on the naughty list down here

This^^^

Basically, the 7.62x51 in it's development used at that time the new Winchester ball powders. Taking the .30-06, throw some ball powder in it and remove the air space in the design. This is a very simplified explanation. The powder used was similar to WIN 748 in burn rate.

Like fL said, just don't hot rod your M1A .

I gave up "hot-rodding" anything, a long time ago.
I kinda like my ugly mug just as it is!
Also, as I age, I don't like recoil all that much - though I never cared for a lot in the first place.

I think I used 4895 in mine, with a 165 Btsp. I’ve mostly shot Federal blue box 150’s and Remington.

I've shot a lot of 3031, 4895, Just keep the loads in middle of the road and if shooting anything questionable I'd install a vented gas plug.

Just a quick question - would anyone recommend 180 gr bullets for the M1A?

Asking for a friend...

Nope

We use IMR-4064 in the brother in laws.

I have two M1As; in my SuperMatch I run 175 grain bullets behind 4064. In my Scout in run 125 thru 165 grain bullets behind 4895.

My go to load for 7.62x 51 Is 43 gr IMR 4895 with 165 gr Ballistic tip.

That would be the upper limit that I would use. But I don't. My M1A like all others seem to enjoy 145 - 165gr. Some 175gr. Barrel time is important in these gas designs. A friend shot a 220gr round nose out of his Remington 7400. It yanked the rim off where the extractor was.

Springfield says the M1A is cleared for all factory .308 ammo except the "high energy" class stuff. Bullet weights up to 180 grs. E

I had a Springfield National Match M1A 308 Win. It shot great with 165 grain jacket ed bullets over 42.0 grains IMR 4064. I stopped there.

20 years (?), Precision Shooting magazine published an article ( series of 2-3 articles?) titled (sic) : "1000 yards, getting there with a gas gun.". I do not member the details, but I THINK it involved tbd 175 grain Sierra 175 grain HPBT, and betting near 2700 fps from an M1A. Hope you can find it.

That said,, no need to hot rod the M1A.

Thanks for the replies.

Friend's not looking to hot rod the M1A - just likes heavier bullets.

I'll tell him it will operate better working with 160-165 gr bullets. Deer and hogs will not know the difference.

Thanks for the replies.

Friend's not looking to hot rod the M1A - just likes heavier bullets.

I'll tell him it will operate better working with 160-165 gr bullets. Deer and hogs will not know the difference.

They kinda surprise me on the accuracy part, with having a 1/11 twist.