Brass selection for reloading
I’m hoping to start reloading for my M-14s soon, focusing on accuracy. I have a couple hundred once fired FGMM cases. But I also have a lot of PPU and MEN brass too.
Any suggestions as to which brass might be better for match grade ammo loading?
Any suggestions as to which brass might be better for match grade ammo loading?
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Joined
·
189 Posts
Have loaded each. The FGMM is a bit softer than the others, but all shoot well. Won’t notice much of a diffference down range in these rifles, and you can get good consistent loads (<1.5 moa, 10 rd groups at 300 yds) with each of those cases - but you may end up with rougher rims on the softer brass. M1As chew up brass like it is cool.
4 firings and I’m done with any brass in this platform.
4 firings and I’m done with any brass in this platform.
Joined
·
22,450 Posts
Of your listed choices, MEN has worked best for my accuracy loads. Problem now is finding the right berdan primers. The 7.62Ns are all but gone. Sure would be nice if one of the importers would find us some. For years berdan was sold as non-reloadable and got folks believing it so the marketplace for the berdan primers became very small.
I have always thought that keeping one mfg. of brass and then excluding the ones that were radically different in weight, provided more and consistent accuracy. I tested this theory with several .223 mfgs (PPU, REM, Military, Win, Hornady, Fed, etc) and discovered I was correct. I worked up my best load (powder, primer and bullet) with Rem brass and pet AR and reloaded the same loads in the other bass cases. Groups shifted at 100 yds. If my old memory is correct, Rem and PPU were identical. The rest moved away.
Joined
·
22,450 Posts
So important. I have broken a few de-priming pins by sheer carelessness had trying to hurry a process that needs careful attention.
Joined
·
22,450 Posts
Just got a note the Powder Valley has 7.62N berdan primers. Ya Hoooo!
www.powdervalleyinc.com
PMC KVB-762N Large Rifle Berdan Primers (1000 ct box)
Mass produce your own ammunition with PMC KVB-762N large rifle berdan primers from Powder Valley.
www.powdervalleyinc.com
Joined
·
8,682 Posts
When I first started shooting my old SAI Supermatch I settled on PPU brass and it worked well for me. Am using StarLine brass in all my rifles now and like it as you do not need to do any primer work on it when new; just neck size, trim and load.
Joined
·
2,972 Posts
Hello,Just got a note the Powder Valley has 7.62N berdan primers. Ya Hoooo!
PMC KVB-762N Large Rifle Berdan Primers (1000 ct box)
Mass produce your own ammunition with PMC KVB-762N large rifle berdan primers from Powder Valley.
Thanks, Art. Well, kinda.
But, since the 7.62N Berdan primers haven't been around for some time now; I thought I'd bite the bullet at the going rate and bought some(2k). Now, I can give those snake eyes brass a try... and that RCBS deprimer tool a work out. What a hobby... Gotta spend it somewhere/sometime.
Again, Thanks for the heads up.
Joined
·
112 Posts
What's MEN?
Joined
·
22,450 Posts
I think you will really enjoy the process and the accuracy.
Joined
·
22,450 Posts
German surplus 7.62 NATO berdan primed ammo. Great brass for reloading.
Pretty sure it’s German. Just regular 147 grain ball ammo, but it seems to be relatively high quality.
Joined
·
12,512 Posts
Federal is my second most used brass after Winchester. Get multiple loadings with no problems.
Joined
·
16,848 Posts
Metallwerk Elisenhütte GmbH
German arms manufacturers often have a 3 digit code identifying them. It doesn't necessarily correspond to the company's initials. Heym, for instance, has the code EHM.
Joined
·
2,972 Posts
Hello, Don't worry.
I'll be picking your brain for some load data on various bullet weights. I have a shat-load of some 130gr OTM that Midway was selling a few years back. I just haven't used them yet for the 22" M1As though.
Joined
·
22,450 Posts
Anything from 110s up are a real hoot to set up loads for. Recently I have been playing with 115 Berger FB over 45 gn of Norma 210 and having a ball. Cranking them out around 3K fps does a decent job in the M14. I keep bullets for the .308 on the shelf up to 220 gn. Not to be used in my semis, but fun it the long range bolts. Whatta Hobby!
Joined
·
6,373 Posts
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
