7.62 match load

[rickyp]

I have been able to come up with the following load for the 7.62 NATO match round

168 gr match  bullets
IMR 4895 powder
42.o grs
25.81 FPS

IS this close?

All but my older speer loading manual list this as a max or neat max load.

[Lone Yankee]

I shot HP rifle matches from 1963-1998.  I always used the following load in all 7.62Nato firearms semi-auto or bolt action.

168 gr Match bullet Hornady or Dierra
41 gr IMR 4895
LC 67 NM case
Federal 210 Match primer
loaded to USGI M118 length

Doug Bowser

[rickyp]

what is the "USGI M118 length"  
I normally  take an old sized case and put a little cut in the neck and with the bullet I want to use. I will put the bullet in the case and slide the whole thing in, close and lock the action. I then remove the slowly case   so not to move the bullet.

[Big Blue]

Like rickyp, I also use the action to determine the proper COL. It puts your bullet right up to the lands and leaves no room for travel before engaging the rifling. I had my best luck using IMR 4064 powder for the 7.62 NATO.
Don

[redial]

Lake City M118 was loaded to 2.82", give or take .005.

Doug laid out the load that was the standard for years and years. I began to think Moses had brought it down with him from on-high after seeing it for so long! Time was, you could ask ANY-DANG-BODY at a match what they were loading whether they shot a Model 70, 700 or an M1A and every one would tell you the same thing - Doug's load.

Must be a good reason for it, huh?

Cheers!

Redial

[m14dan]

I use 42 grains of 4895 with a LC91 case and a barnes 168 x bullet in my M14. It's a heavy sniper type. For the barnes, I seat it .050 from the rifling. For the other match bullets I don't ever run them into the lands either but always give at least .010 jump. My barnes load can easily put 5 in one hole at 100 yards.
I got a 1000 yards jackrabbit a couple weekends ago with it too.

[Mikey]

When I shot the S.E. Asian and South American 'courses' with the XM21, or the M-14, the rounds we were issued were either 174 or 177 gn fmjs from Lake City at a measured 2550'/sec.  The Garand loads we were issued, also from Lake City used the same bullet but at 2650'/sec.  

I've used 47 or 47.5 gn of 4895 in the 06 under a 165-168 gn bullet for shorter range (out to 500m) shooting but do not shoot the 7.62/308 and have not followed ballistic developments for that cartridge.  For longer ranges in the 06 I like the 190 gn boolet (but I forget the powder/charge).  Mikey