I started a thread on the reloading forum and got some good replies but since this forum is specifically about the M1A and the M1 Garand I thought I'd post here too.

The M1A is a "Loaded" Model and has proven to be good shooter.

What I'm looking for here is some feedback on what's working for you load wise using the Hornady 168gr A-Max.

Also for you Garand guys any good 06' Garand suggestions using the 168gr A-Max would be appreciated too.

Thanks

Motor

41.5 grains of Varget in once fired GI brass gives me excellent groups with that bullet in my NM M1A

might be hard on the garand

BDA, thanks.

I don't know why you would think this. Hornady has data specifically for the Garand for bullets up to 178gr.

I've already shot 180gr Sierra BTHP MATCH bullets from the Garand using Hornady 178gr data. Besides people have been competing with Garands using match bullets in this weight class for years.

I have data published years ago that covers bullets from 150gr up. I think there is even data for 220gr. This is "match load data" for the M1Garand.

The trick to loading for the Garand is powder selection. You need to use powders that won't over gas the operating system. These are well documented.

Motor

Exactly.

I'd recommend their ELD line over AMAX as the ELD has a harder polymer tip and won't deform as easily as the AMAX.

It's not the bullet that would be hard on a Garand it's the powder load it's used with.

For '06, 46gr Varget.

45-46gr of IMR 4064 or H4895 should work well also.

I wrote an update in the reloading forum if anyone is interested.

I'm impressed by the results and this was only the first powder tried.

Motor

BTW: The Garand didn't shoot these as well as it does our 150gr loads but that's fine with me the M1A seems to like them a lot and as I stated above I got them cheap.

For the '06 any 168grn match bullet... 48grn of varget and WLR primers....MOA load.

If your rifle won't group with that ..its the rifle or you :)

Thanks. That's good to know.

I made a mistake in my reloading forum post I have corrected it.

The powder tried today in the M1A was RL-15. I originally posted it was H-4895. Sorry.

Motor

Guys. What is the maximum overall length for ammo in the M1A magazine?  

Motor

You could measure the inside (my HNR 10rd shows maybe 2.860"), but I'd stick with book max of 2.800".

I read a post here somewhere and the guy was using AOL a little longer than 2.800" but he didn't say if he was single loading or not.

My magazines measure 2.890 but I really don't care to push the limits.

There is a member giving me all sorts of doom and gloom over bullet jump on the reloading forum regarding boat tail bullets.

He also claims that a "real" NM barrel M1A has .003" to .005" bullet jump with Federal Gold match ammo which uses Sierra 168gr NM bullets.

I don't know if that is true or not but I do know that you can get some pretty darn good accuracy even if your boat tail bullets are jumping considerably to the lands. I witnessed this first hand on Sunday.

The 168gr A-Max loaded to 2.800" are jumping .080" to the lands in this rifle yet it fired 15 rounds with 3 different loads into a 1.5" maximum. With iron sights at 100 yards.  

I really don't know how much more you could ask for using a box stock rifle and basic good reloading technique.

Motor

I think that guy has spent too much time in the Warehouse. (Not saying he's wrong, but irrelevant to your needs.)

ETA: Most AR15 service rifle High Masters are jumping their bullets 0.010"-0.080" for 600yds. Maglength ammo jumps probably about 0.100" and can fill in the 1 MOA X-ring.