[Skohrchr]

I know i'll probably get hate because this is been asked probably a million plus times, but I haven't found a definitive answer yet. Which is better to shoot from an M1A? I know both will shoot just fine in the M1A. I'm asking because I want to know which will cause the gun to have more wear? Which will shoot more accurately? Thanks in advance.

 

[XXIV Corps]

Wow, so many questions. I would stay with 7.62x51mm, I have sent >16K rounds down range through my NM M1A. 90% of it was military surplus ammunition from around the world...

What I have personally fired through my NM... http://m14forum.com/ammunition/23464-mil-surplus-ammunition-manufactures-7-62x51mm.html

 

[Skohrchr]

Wow, so many questions. I would stay with 7.62x51mm, I have sent >16K rounds down range through my NM M1A. 90% of it was military surplus ammunition from around the world...

What I have personally fired through my NM... http://m14forum.com/ammunition/23464-mil-surplus-ammunition-manufactures-7-62x51mm.html

Thanks for your answer. I only ask so many questions because i'd rather not have to replace parts because of wear (I know either way it would take a while for them to wear) Thanks again.

 

[Wasted ammo]

Click on forum on the homepage, scroll down to ammo. I'm attempting to help you, I asked the same questions as you and everyone else. It took me awhile to figure out how the sight worked. I'm not a computer genius. I was searching for things in the search bar, then figured out how to search just this forum.

 

[XXIV Corps]

In 16K rounds, I have replaced the NM barrel and the op-rod spring only. it's still a great shooter.

http://m14forum.com/m14/7371-new-mexico-range-report-9.html Read post 360.

DI5

 

[M1AFL]

I shoot only 7.62X51 spec ammo in my M1A's, that being said, I have been known to shoot .308 ammo with a Schuster over bored, vented gas plug on occasion.

 

[m14brian]

I have shot military surplus, M80, M118LR, commercial ammo from the cheapest crap to FGMM (Federal Gold Medal Match), from 110gr to 175gr, including softpoints (even though SAI says don't), haven't had any problems yet, not as good as XXIV Corps but have many thoudands of rounds down the tube.
The best ammo for accuracy for me has been M118LR 175gr, FGMM 168gr, A-Max is good too.
m14brian

 

[DudleyDR]

The ammunition for the M14 and its copies (M1A, M14SA, M14S, etc) - just like the M1 Garand before it - was designed to function within a relatively narrow band of bullet weights, velocities, and pressures. This is primarily due to the gas system's specific design (porting, cylinder volume, piston weight, recoil spring tension, and weight of the oprod). Too much force acting on the bolt's roller and lug to unlock it can be detrimental as is the rearward motion/velocity of the bolt. There are multiple considerations in the basic design and a self-loading rifle needs to stay within those design parameters.

The weight of the projectile, the burning rate of the powder, and its pressure curve are important and need to be managed, controlled, and observed.

Some commercial ".308 Winchester" sporting ammo can easily exceed the design pressure of 50K psi. (even up to 60K psi. or more). Some ammo will not develop proper port pressure - or will exceed proper port pressure. To keep your system running smooth and long, heed the original specs. Exceeding them can be hard on the equipment.

"M14's" are robust weapons but you cannot just feed one "anything" a bolt gun may tolerate just because a cartridge will fit in its chamber. HTH

 

[Guest]

Just shot some Privi-Partizan (PPU) M80 from SG-Ammo and really liked it.

http://www.sgammo.com/product/308-w...80-fmj-bt-145-grain-ammo-prvi-partizan-pp768b

 

[DudleyDR]

Good shootin'! Privi-Partizan (aka: "PPU" or "nny") ammo has performed well for me for quite a while. They offer quite a few military calibers.

 

[wiz1997]

I know i'll probably get hate because this is been asked probably a million plus times, but I haven't found a definitive answer yet. Which is better to shoot from an M1A? I know both will shoot just fine in the M1A. I'm asking because I want to know which will cause the gun to have more wear? Which will shoot more accurately? Thanks in advance.

You can't get a definitive answer because there is none, only opinions.

What I do know is regardless of which you shoot, if you reload, the only sizing die you'll find available is in .308.

To avoid pressure issues with commercial hunting loads, I believe if you keep the velocities below 2600 fps and bullet weight below 168 grain, you'll be OK.

May get corrected on that.

 

[wxl]

I know i'll probably get hate because this is been asked probably a million plus times, but I haven't found a definitive answer yet. Which is better to shoot from an M1A? I know both will shoot just fine in the M1A. I'm asking because I want to know which will cause the gun to have more wear? Which will shoot more accurately? Thanks in advance.

General consensus has been bullets from 145-175 gr with powder and too slow or too fast that provides reasonable velocity and importantly port pressure. Some also have great success with bullets as light as 125 to 135 grain. Most 7.62X51 loads (and NATO specific) fit this tho I believe some have posted a few odd balls that are not. Many commercial ammo will fall in this suitable range, just need to look at velocity as a guide although that will not always tell you if factory powder is too fast or too slow. The super performance and hot loads generally are not recommended.

Just as you indicated this has been asked million times and will be asked another million. Just as often as what is the real design ammo pressure. Believe many have indicated the military spec of 50 kpsi is misleading because of different pressure units ( 50kpsi may (?) have been CUP units which is ~ 60 kpsi). Ammo within desired pressure limits do not always mean ideal port pressure.

Confused? Of course that is why it (they) will be asked another million times because it is not one simple answer.

 

[4Quangs]

The bill of sale for my M1A Loaded bought in 2000, lists it as 308 caliber. Just today, the Springfield web site list the M1A Loaded as 7.62x51 (.308Win). I would take that to mean that it is chambered for the 7.62x51 cartridge, but built strong enough to meet the 308Win SAAMI pressure specifications.

 

[DudleyDR]

"Moderation in all things" may be a good guideline here. Refrain from using the hottest, fastest, super-double-throwdown load that has a super-flat trajectory. It may not have the right combination of properties to be compatible with the engineered and designed system that is the M14 platform.

 

[JEFFJP_N_JJ]

OP,
Look at your Hornady manual if you reload or buy similar... Load low and slow for play time... Velocity and power is not your rifles friend!

 

[Skohrchr]

I really appreciate all the answers. Seems like most go with 7.62x51 so i'll stick with it unless I can't find any. Thanks everyone.

 

[DudleyDR]

I really appreciate all the answers. Seems like most go with 7.62x51 so i'll stick with it unless I can't find any. Thanks everyone.

It's almost everywhere. A lot of milsurp on the market. Most sporting goods stores will have "white box" Winchester and Federal brands of M80 spec. at least. Some red Federal boxes are marked "for M1A". Always FGMM - Federal Gold Medal Match...search the forum for more detailed info.

 

[FALAK]

Wow, so many questions. I would stay with 7.62x51mm, I have sent >16K rounds down range through my NM M1A. 90% of it was military surplus ammunition from around the world...

What I have personally fired through my NM... http://m14forum.com/ammunition/23464-mil-surplus-ammunition-manufactures-7-62x51mm.html

http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/m14brian/media/deereatingpopcorn.gif.html

You had an impressive list of the ammo you have shot through your M1A! VERY IMPRESSIVE! You also broke the myth on the lifespan of casted Springfield's receiver being at 15k

Since I cannot ask a question on your other thread, I want to ask here about your experience on GGG 15 ammo. Are they truly less accurate than GGG 04/05 mintage as I read from several posts here? Your experience is appreciated!

 

[XXIV Corps]

You had an impressive list of the ammo you have shot through your M1A! VERY IMPRESSIVE! You also broke the myth on the lifespan of casted Springfield's receiver being at 15k

Since I cannot ask a question on your other thread, I want to ask here about your experience on GGG 15 ammo. Are they truly less accurate than GGG 04/05 mintage as I read from several posts here? Your experience is appreciated!

It was a big let down after firing two mags full. How could they have lost that great round from the 2004-2005 lots... Winchester Engineers were still backing up the Lithuanian manufacturing floor back then. Just a big let down after they came out of the gates with such great tight surplus ammunition and it being new production.

 

[Texas Red]

My pre-ban M1A has a military TRW barrel chambered for 7.62x51 NATO. I do not shoot 308 ammunition in it.

LRB told me that their rifles are chambered for 308, so I would think it is safe to shoot 308 ammo in it as long as I stay with bullets that weigh less than 180 grains. That being said, I have only fired 7.62 NATO from it as well. Stay safe.