308 oal length question m1a

[8185854610]

Bought some hornady 150 fmjbt bullets. When crimped at the cannelure oal is 2.725. Questioned a reloading store expert? Forget the oal just load to the cannelure. I loaded some rounds they shot fine 2 " group. However I was reading the at the farther the bullet is away from the lands the less accurate. I loaded more bullets at a 2.800 bullet is loaded below the cannelure. Both rounds chamber with no resistance in m m1a loaded. I have been also told reload where you have 2.800 oal and don't worry about the cannelure. I am using light crimp on Lee factory crop die. I have to believe that other than looking funny the 2.800 loads being .075 closer to the lands must increase accuracy, But have not range tested these rounds. These bullets test pretty accurate however will probably not buy again, thinking of no cannelure bullets any recommendations for 150fmjbt.
These bullets are 19 cents a piece, thanks

[kcheung2]

I believe all 150 grain fmj have cannelures. I also load Hornadys longer than the cannelure. Other than the odd location I have no complaints about them, especially for the price. I read somewhere that they're placed there to correspond with 30-06 loading but I have not checked that myself.

[Fordtrucks]

Accuracy is NOT dependent ONLY on if it's closer to the lands or not. Each rifle barrel likes a diffent amount of jump, how much that is for ur rifle is up to u to find out.
That being said, crimping below or above the cannelure is perfectly acceptable, but the machanics of an M-1a are somewhat an art to figure out.
My advice is to post on an M-1A specific forum. Or wait for a member with much more M-1A experiance than me.

There might be special seating depth needed to provide the right amount of back pressure to operate the slide and maybe feed ramp issues is seated to long.
Like I said an M-1A specific site should be your next persute.

[BigJ]

Read this: http://www.zediker.com/downloads/m14.html

Both articles.

Then read them again.

They're generally considered the 'bibles' of M1A reloading and well worth your time.

[maxx03]

I have loaded the Hornady 150"s to magazine length in my M1A'S with better accuracy, YMMV. I have noticed Hornady 150"s have the cannelure higher on the bullet, where Winchester 147"s have the cannelure lower.
You don't need to seat to cannelure, you can seat as long as the magazine allows.

[highpower790]

BUy a match 150gr seat seat without a crimp.

[micro911]

For the plinker, I just seat it to the maximum length that will load in the magazine. It works for me.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

2.850" OAL will still load in a magazine.

[smoothy8500]

The Hornady 150 FMJ-BT are the most accurate fmj's that I've tried in my M1A. I loaded them to 2.810" and ignore the cannelure. I don't crimp either.

[ducky_0811]

I load both 155 amax and 175 smk to 2.810 with no issues as great accuracy. The military m118 long range cartridge is loaded with a 175 smk to 2.810 as well. I also load a 140 sst in 6.5 swede about 1/4" longer than the cannelure with zero issues. No crimp on either cartridge. This is half the fun of reloading, trial and error figuring your rifles magic recipe. Good luck!