SGT Ben

I have a box of 300 or so ex-military 173gr FMJ/BT .308 diameter bullets that I would like to load for my 1903A3 Springfield, but I can't find any load data for that particular wieght of bullet.
Is it safe to use data for a 175gr bullet, or does anyone have much experience with these bullets?

William R. Moore

You don't mention what brass you're using, which would affect load data. NRA published GI duplication loads once upon a time, I've got them at home, taped inside the back cover of my Hornaday manual.

IMR 4064/4895 are good choices..............don't trust this at all, but 46 gr kinda tickles the memory, 47 gr of the other BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH IS WHICH.

sierra69mk

Bottom of this page.

http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm

TONS of information here.

Bookmark it or better yet save the page as a reference.

I saved it to my mac's desktop right next my reloading bench. I look something up on this page every other week.

No loads specifically for the Spingfield but the garand loads will work.

My load is 46.0 4895 with 173 & 168's

SGT Ben

Thanks for the tips, appreciated.

blusteel

That's outrageously HOT, your 110 gr load, perhaps ?

42 * IMR 4895 has been my pet for years in either Military or Commercial cases.

Sarge, that couple of grains (between 173 and 175) is negligible in terms of this discussion, IMO. The "consensus" industry accuracy velocities appear to be 2,600 fps * 168 gr. match bullet and 2,500 - 2550 fps * 175 gr. match, respectively. Trust but verify !

Sure there will be others "in the know" to chime in as well.

As always : ( Obligatory) Start your load program / project using the lowest published data and slowly work up to the velocities that best suit your need(s) while correctly interpreting pressure signs. Subtract 1 - 1.5 grains further, when using Military "L C" "RA" ie NATO , 7.62 x 51 brass, as they, being of heavier construct, have less internal capacity as opposed to standard .308 Winchester commercial fodder.

William R. Moore

Ah, blusteel...............the M1903A3 is chambered for the .30-06. The load in question would indeed be wayouttasight in a 7.62 x 51 mm but that's not the cartridge we're concerned with here.

blusteel

The blind man that I am & too much time over @ The Hide !"Inclination Afield"(new disease)

Regrets Extended.

USSR

SGT Ben,

Have had good luck with 46.5gr of surplus IMR4895 in LC brass. If using a lighter commercial brass such as Winchester, you can use a little more.

Don

William R. Moore

I got my load data books out a couple of days ago. These loads duplicate the pressure curve of the listed military ammunition. The M14 is not as pressure curve sensitive as the Garand.

M2 (173 gr ball) duplication in military brass. DO NOT EXCEED:

46 gr. IMR 4895

47 gr IMR 4064

From old CMP data on M118 (173 gr. 7.62 x 51 mm):

40 gr. IMR 4895 LOAL 2.800 +/- 0.030 inches.

NRA load data is 39 gr. Dunno if this reflects more accurate pressure data or a change in IMR 4895 composition.

HighPowerShooter

I use 46.0 also of H4064

linus9

ive been using 47.5 grs of imr4895 pulldown for a long time and im pretty happy with the accuracy (of course im not a match shooter). i shoot it in 1903's a 1917 and a garand and i never get flattened primers.

mike

ps-i use military brass almost exclusively

seabreeze133

Greetings gentlemen. New member here.

I found the site when looking for loads for my Remington 700 ADL that I have built into a cast bullet rifle.

I have a well worn copy of a 1968 Roy F. Dunlop "Loading 30 Caliber Match Ammunition" and under 3006 the following loads came up for 173 gr:
47 gr any 4895 2700 fps equals NM load.

Plus noted that 47 gr 4064 was good for the 168 SMK and could be used for the 173 gr.

I have a 30 cal can filled w/the 47 gr 4064 load using WLR primers and various years of LC (Not match) brass that I had used with success in my Hi Power days with a DCM m1 Garand. But... using the ammo in my Remington 700, takes a light hammer hit to open the bolt. Ammo has been stored correctly over the years and powder is still good and brass is trimmed to length.

Any thoughts on the bolt issue?

So, I am pulling the bullets and reducing the charge.

Thanks

seabreeze

M118LR

For extreme accuracy 30-06 loads I'll defer, I'd advise that you contact Mr Hummerville a noted Plama Match Shooter.
The 173gr FMJ/BT was coveted for 30-06 NRA Competitions prior to the advent of the "Mexican Match" ammunition.

Alaska338

Caliber: .30-06
Case: FA-61 Match
Bullet: Sierra 175 gr. HPBT #2275
Powder: 48.5 gr. Hodgdon Varget
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
Cartridge Overall Length: 3.330"
2697 fps

YEAR HEADSTAMP VELOCITY CHARGE
1957 FA 57 Match 2640fps 48.0gr IMR4895
1958 FA 58 Match 2640fps 48.0gr IMR4895
1959 FA 59 Match 2640fps 48.0gr IMR4895
1960 FA 60 Match 2640fps 48.0gr IMR4895
1961 FA 61 Match 2640fps 48.5gr IMR4895
1962 LC 62 Match 2685fps 48.1gr IMR4895
1963 LC 63 Match 2695fps 46.7gr IMR4895
1964 LC 64 Match 2669fps 46.0gr IMR4895
1965 LC 65 Match 2708fps 46.5gr IMR4895
1966 LC 66 Match 2711fps 47.2gr IMR4895

FA 61 most liked