M-80 147 gr. FMJBT load for the 21" FAL

[FREE RIFLEMAN]

I am developing an M-80 Ball load for my 21" FAL. I was surprised to see it print 1 MOA with Port and wouldn't mind working with that. Does anyone have a magic load they are using in M-80 Ball?

What I am seeking is the best accuracy combo for the 147gr FMJBT (US) M-80.
I have mixed year Lake City and RA-61 Remington brass separated into several lots of 1000. For the purposes of the test, I'll even weigh the brass and bullets to be sure to eliminate detractors.

I couldn't get all the same powder for the number of rounds I am loading, but so far I have Surplus H4895 from Wideners. After that, I'll try the WC-846 if I can find any left. I heard about Pat's getting low, so, who knows. If not, it will be good ole' $115/8 lb keg Hodgdon H4895 for closest consistency.

My primers are all CCI Military 7.62.

The books list H4895 44.0 gr for 150 FMJ. I have factored a 1.5 gr deduction for the surplus wall thickness, putting me at 42.5 gr. I have been told by a few more experienced reloaders, that the sweetspot is often found in 0.3 grain increments. To calculate what works best, I have chosen 41.6, 41.9, 42.2, 42.5, and 42.8 gr powder, 12 rounds of each for a total of 60.

My test will be 100, 200, 300, 400 yd targets in a benchrest. I will chrono 3 rounds of each load into each target, cleaning between sets. I will be sure to share the results here when complete. Loading this weekend, Phoenix scoring for brass the following, so at best 30 days before results are posted.

I am also interested if anyone has a productive M-61 AP load established already.

If you have any tips or readily defined loads that meet the criteria, by all means, feel free to share.

[m14insd]

I load 41.5 gr off H4895 behind 168gr Sierra HPBT for my National Match load.

BTW-Where are you getting those AP slugs? Sure could use a mess of those.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Got any loads for 846 (BL-C 2)?

7.62

[Bidah]

I use a 42gr load of AA2520 that works pretty well for me. I will probably be switching to Ramshot Tac if I can't get any 846. The nice thing about Tac is that from what I have heard it works pretty good in both 223 and 308.

I also load up some 168gr Hornady hunting bullets, but for the life of me I can't remember the exact charge, and I am not at home. It is something like 41.5gr of AA2520.

-Bidah

[FREE RIFLEMAN]

I load 41.5 gr off H4895 behind 168gr Sierra HPBT for my National Match load.

BTW-Where are you getting those AP slugs? Sure could use a mess of those.


.308 147 gr AP Military Bullets, 500-$95.00, 1000-$179.99, 2000-$174.99 per 1000 (http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel/prices.htm)

M61-AP .308 FN/Israeli 152 grain mil. spec. bullets (http://www.polygunbag.com/bullets.html)

Leave some for me... :p

[FREE RIFLEMAN]

Got any loads for 846 (BL-C 2)?

7.62

I will as soon as I can get some WC 846... I think Pat's is the only one that has any left. :mad:

[m14insd]

.308 147 gr AP Military Bullets, 500-$95.00, 1000-$179.99, 2000-$174.99 per 1000 (http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel/prices.htm)

M61-AP .308 FN/Israeli 152 grain mil. spec. bullets (http://www.polygunbag.com/bullets.html)

Leave some for me... :p

Roger that! Thanks for the intel, been looking for awhile. :D

[FREE RIFLEMAN]

I am finished with the loads. I altered it a bit when I realized my surplus powder is IMR 4895, and not H4895. Nothing HUGE, but now I can maintain a better consistency keeping IMR 4895, albeit surplus or commercial.

I am working in conjunction with a friend that is looking for the WC-846, so I will work up a load for him and post my initial setup here.
Give me a day or two. My goal was to settle around 2750 fps, and since we defend hearth and home together, I will mirror the 2750 fps as close as possible for decent consistency should magazines or ammo get mixed up.

IMR 4895:

41.4 / 41.7 / 42.0 / 42.3 / 42.6 (I'll fire 3 of each at 100, 200, 300, & 400 yds with a chrono.)

I will work up a load to get the M-61 AP 152 gr close to the same 2750 fps, to get it close to the Ball when I get a chance. That one will have to be "in-theory" since the rounds are so expensive. I'm certain I will test them once I get all the other rounds loaded.

I have to go to Phoenix this next weekend but will test the loads the following weekend and post the results.

I like the smell of a fresh keg of IMR 4895, it smells like... freedom!

Forgive me, I tumbled 2K of RA-61 Brass this weekend, too! Shiny! Vinegar and walnut husks... Thank-you, Pat!

[FREE RIFLEMAN]

Got any loads for 846 (BL-C 2)?

7.62

I wrote an Excel computation and am tabbing them.
If you desire 2750 fps, here is a suggested test set for WC 846 in surplus brass:

(I already deducted 1.5 gr for surplus case thickness)

41.22 gr = 2711.9 fps
41.52 gr = 2730.9 fps
41.82 gr = 2750.0 fps
42.12 gr = 2769.0 fps
42.42 gr = 2788.0 fps

If you want another velocity, just let me know, all I have to input now is the high, the low, and the desired velocity and everything else self-calculates. :)

[MdlMkr 7.62]

I wrote an Excel computation and am tabbing them.
If you desire 2750 fps, here is a suggested test set for WC 846 in surplus brass:

(I already deducted 1.5 gr for surplus case thickness)

41.22 gr = 2711.9 fps
41.52 gr = 2730.9 fps
41.82 gr = 2750.0 fps
42.12 gr = 2769.0 fps
42.42 gr = 2788.0 fps

If you want another velocity, just let me know, all I have to input now is the high, the low, and the desired velocity and everything else self-calculates. :)

Is that with a 147gr bullet???

7.62

[FREE RIFLEMAN]

Is that with a 147gr bullet???

7.62

The figures list under a 150 gr. so it may be a bit faster with a 147, perhaps 5-8 fps faster. I'll be able to tell you for sure this weekend, I'm borrowing a Chrony for my test load set. Whatever differences there are for my tests on a 147, should correlate over to your powder, too. I hope to have solid numbers posted this weekend, Monday at the latest.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

The figures list under a 150 gr. so it may be a bit faster with a 147, perhaps 5-8 fps faster. I'll be able to tell you for sure this weekend, I'm borrowing a Chrony for my test load set. Whatever differences there are for my tests on a 147, should correlate over to your powder, too. I hope to have solid numbers posted this weekend, Monday at the latest.


Thanks

7.62

[sparkky]

thanks for the work and info. looking forward to seeing your results.

[FREE RIFLEMAN]

Tomorrow. I have my targets almost completely finished. I use pallets (free) and 2x4's (broken pallets) as legs to keep from being blown over. I pile rocks on a cross piece at the bottom.

The office next door was getting new furniture so, I asked the crew to put all the large cardboard in the bed of my truck parked next to their truck. They were more than happy to, because they didn't have to pack it up and dispose of it on the tail end of a Friday.

I am printing my record sheets now, to be sure I keep good record of every round. I also built an Access Database to track my loads specific to each rifle. I know that is a bit absurd, but the intention was to determine which load performed best in my primary MBR, however, knowing how it will perform in the others isn't a bad idea, either. Eventually, I'll be able to scan in the target from each load and pull it up digitally. Overkill, again.

Right now, my workshop looks like an ammunition factory because another Filer and I are working together in a concerted effort.

I can't wait until tomorrow. What better way to spend St Patty's Day than behind a FAL? :D

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Luck 'o' the Irish to you and your handloads!

7.62 ;)