[JeepFan]

Has anybody tried these in their M-14?

In the past my M-14 really liked Sierra 150gr sp. I'm using IMR-4895 and working a ladder on these but I'm interested in what load worked well for you.

I'm more concerned that these have a cannelure and it seems they would be pretty short if I loaded them into it. What length does the hive recommend? FWIW my Sierra loads fed and functioned fine loaded just under mag length.

 

[JEFFJP_N_JJ]

Has anybody tried these in their M-14?

In the past my M-14 really liked Sierra 150gr sp. I'm using IMR-4895 and working a ladder on these but I'm interested in what load worked well for you.

I'm more concerned that these have a cannelure and it seems they would be pretty short if I loaded them into it. What length does the hive recommend? FWIW my Sierra loads fed and functioned fine loaded just under mag length.

I have not tried them and am new to loading for my M1A but my usual 'rule of thumb' starting bullet seating depth has been to seat the bullet where the 'base' of the bullet or the start of the boat tail is even with neck/shoulder junction and measure from there? never really worried about crimping on a rifle...

 

[boomerpusher]

Hornady's reloading manual, calls for an OAL of 2.800" for the 155gr. bullet when used in the M14. This would probably be a good starting point when using the 150sp. If your M14 doesn't like that length, you can vary the OAL up or down until it likes it, just as you can vary the powder charge. 2.10 is about max for the magazines(some may accept longer) but I would not get carried away when going shorter. Going shorter reduces the available interior space and thus increases the pressure. There are several threads on here that talk about these things when reloading for the M14. Worth checking in "search". Really don't want to try to match standard 308 loads for this rifle.

 

[wiz1997]

The same Hornaday manual shows a COL of 2.735" for the 150 SP in the .308 section of the manual.

That COL should put you right at the cannelure.

I've had problems with the soft lead tip of the spire point deforming as it's being chambered.

I had flyers all over the target one day, so I shot a round then ejected the next one without firing and found the tip slightly deformed.

The load for that day:

150gr Hornady SP
41.5 gr IMR 4985
LC brass
COL 2.70"

 

[JeepFan]

Thanks for your response guys.

I should have provided more info in my first post. My fault. I'm using the Hornady manual mentioned, No.7 edition. The .308 service rifle section does not list 147/150 projectiles for some reason. The regular .308 load data lists the 2.735 length like Wiz posted.

What I should have asked is if anyone had tried seating them longer, and if that would cause any problems? I really try to avoid seating bullets too short due to the pressure issues like Boomer mentioned. Generally I don't pay attention to cannelure location at least for rifles.

When I first started out reloading I crimped pretty heavy in my opinion. Over the years I have learned to add just enough crimp to get proper tension, no need to overdue it or go heavy. This has resulted in better accuracy.

While I prefer 168gr Amax and BTHP my reason for trying these is I picked up another L&L progressive. The 500 free bullet offer was nice as I have four other .30 cal. rifles to feed. Although I wish they still offered their fmj bullets in this deal. RNGR4

I'm hoping to get lucky and have these feed and function fine in my M-14 and Garand as well as the Sierra SP did. I'm loading some up and hope to get out to my spot tomorrow to test and chrono them.

So any concerns about seating them longer as long as I have good neck tension?

 

[JEFFJP_N_JJ]

Thanks for your response guys.

I should have provided more info in my first post. My fault. I'm using the Hornady manual mentioned, No.7 edition. The .308 service rifle section does not list 147/150 projectiles for some reason. The regular .308 load data lists the 2.735 length like Wiz posted.

What I should have asked is if anyone had tried seating them longer, and if that would cause any problems? I really try to avoid seating bullets too short due to the pressure issues like Boomer mentioned. Generally I don't pay attention to cannelure location at least for rifles.

When I first started out reloading I crimped pretty heavy in my opinion. Over the years I have learned to add just enough crimp to get proper tension, no need to overdue it or go heavy. This has resulted in better accuracy.

While I prefer 168gr Amax and BTHP my reason for trying these is I picked up another L&L progressive. The 500 free bullet offer was nice as I have four other .30 cal. rifles to feed. Although I wish they still offered their fmj bullets in this deal. RNGR4

I'm hoping to get lucky and have these feed and function fine in my M-14 and Garand as well as the Sierra SP did. I'm loading some up and hope to get out to my spot tomorrow to test and chrono them.

So any concerns about seating them longer as long as I have good neck tension?

All I would worry about, as long as they fit the mag, is that they are seated deep enough in the resized neck to launch them as straight as possible into your rifles throat...

 

[boomerpusher]

Jeep, can't see where you would have any problems even seating them all the way out to 2.80 if you are using a load like Wiz suggested-zediker says you could even go down to 40.0 grains without any problems. I know that they do suggest that you have at least 1 caliber depth in the neck to prevent bullet movement but if you have good neck tension that shouldn't be a concern. Just my own experience with crimping, I can't seem to get a uniform tension using it-simply polish the expander ball some. Guess I'd make up several groups at different OAL's, start at the middle and go each way to see what works best. Yes, I know, that would mean you'd just have to shoot more but sometimes you just have to make the sacrifice.lol

 

[JeepFan]

Sounds like a plan. I'll load some each way and see what happens.

I'll be doing the same with some .06 Garand loads and I'll try to post my results in this thread at least by next week for those that may be interested.

Thanks again.