Load request: M118LR duplicate

[Requiem]

Hey, all. I'm about to acquire a Rem 700 SPS tactical soon and I plan on handloading for it. I would like to duplicate the military M118LR round to send through my bolt rifle (and maybe my M1A), but I'm having trouble finding load data online for the components I'm planning on using;

LC brass
175 grain SMK's BTHP
WLR primers
IMR 4895


If I could get a point in the right direction I'd really appreciate it gents. The IMR 4895 is hard to find load data along with a 175 grain SMK for this round. I don't have a chronograph so load development by projectile velocity won't work.

[Jonathan Doe]

I usually use 43.0 grains of IMR 4064 with LC match brass, Sierra 175 gr MK and Federal Match large rifle primers. It works good for me for my M-1A at 600 yards. Sierra should have a good load data for IMR 4895 rounds.

[ar15barrels]

Hey, all. I'm about to acquire a Rem 700 SPS tactical soon and I plan on handloading for it. I would like to duplicate the military M118LR round to send through my bolt rifle (and maybe my M1A), but I'm having trouble finding load data online for the components I'm planning on using;

LC brass
175 grain SMK's BTHP
WLR primers
IMR 4895

42gr is about where you want to be.

Cartridge          : .308 Win.
Bullet             : .308, 175, Sierra HPBT MatchK 2275
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch or 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch or 609.6 mm
Powder             : IMR 4064

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.595% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-06.0   92    39.50   2439    2312   44321   6652     96.9    1.333
-05.4   92    39.75   2453    2339   45116   6690     97.1    1.322
-04.8   93    40.00   2467    2366   45926   6728     97.2    1.311
-04.2   93    40.25   2482    2393   46751   6764     97.4    1.301
-03.6   94    40.50   2496    2420   47591   6800     97.6    1.291
-03.0   94    40.75   2510    2448   48446   6835     97.8    1.280
-02.4   95    41.00   2524    2475   49316   6870     97.9    1.270
-01.8   96    41.25   2538    2503   50202   6904     98.1    1.260
-01.2   96    41.50   2552    2531   51105   6937     98.2    1.251
-00.6   97    41.75   2566    2559   52024   6970     98.4    1.241  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   97    42.00   2580    2587   52960   7001     98.5    1.231  ! Near Maximum !
+00.6   98    42.25   2594    2615   53914   7032     98.6    1.222  ! Near Maximum !
+01.2   99    42.50   2608    2643   54885   7062     98.7    1.212  ! Near Maximum !
+01.8   99    42.75   2622    2672   55874   7092     98.9    1.203  ! Near Maximum !
+02.4  100    43.00   2636    2700   56882   7120     99.0    1.194  ! Near Maximum !
+03.0  100    43.25   2650    2729   57909   7148     99.1    1.184  ! Near Maximum !

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     97    42.00   2637    2703   57666   6948     99.7    1.189  ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     97    42.00   2514    2455   48329   6973     96.4    1.280

[Darklyte27]

I thought someone had said it was RE15?

[Requiem]

I thought someone had said it was RE15?

The official M118LR round does use RE15 powder. However, I'm wondering if anyone has found/heard of a duplication of M118LR using IMR 4895.

[Gunsrruss]

4895

I use 44 gr of 4895 with a OAL of 2.84 this is per the Army manual 1964. Now that load was for 173 gr bullets. If I had to use 175 gr I would probably back it off .3 gr to 43.7. But you need the 2.84 OAL to keep the pressure down. That length will still fit in the M1A mag

[Requiem]

It seems as if everyone is focusing on the possibility of me shooting these loads in my M1A. I'm more focused on the accuracy I'll get out of my Remmy 700 since that's what these rounds will primarily be used for.

And, Gunsrruss, that load sounds a little bit hot compared to what I've been hearing. I think I'm going to stick to a starting load of 41.0 and work up slowly.

[ar15barrels]

I use 44 gr of 4895 with a OAL of 2.84 this is per the Army manual 1964. Now that load was for 173 gr bullets. If I had to use 175 gr I would probably back it off .3 gr to 43.7. But you need the 2.84 OAL to keep the pressure down. That length will still fit in the M1A mag

There's a big difference in projectile length between the 173's and 175's becaue the 175 is a hp that has an air cavity in front.
This will change the case volume considerably so that you really need to back off a couple grains!

[California-Quigley]

I am using win brass, 175gr SMK bthp, fed 210m, 45.0gr varget.

2500fps from my 18" rem700 pss. 2690 from my 22" rem700 sendero...

seated to 2.800

[Gunsrruss]

It seems as if everyone is focusing on the possibility of me shooting these loads in my M1A. I'm more focused on the accuracy I'll get out of my Remmy 700 since that's what these rounds will primarily be used for.

And, Gunsrruss, that load sounds a little bit hot compared to what I've been hearing. I think I'm going to stick to a starting load of 41.0 and work up slowly.

This is the load I use in my 700 PSS for long range. It works for me. I got that load right out of the Military manual for long range shooting with the .308. Well, you boys and girls work it out. I got mine, Good to at least 1,000 yds.
Russell

[Gunsrruss]

Research

There's a big difference in projectile length between the 173's and 175's becaue the 175 is a hp that has an air cavity in front.
This will change the case volume considerably so that you really need to back off a couple grains!

You could be on to something here. I will try to obtain the new loading data for Military spec small arms Ammo in .308 using the 175gr HP. I have about 3,000 of those old 173gr bullets left. I hadn't planned to do any research until they were almost exhausted. So here we go

[ar15barrels]

You could be on to something here. I will try to obtain the new loading data for Military spec small arms Ammo in .308 using the 175gr HP. I have about 3,000 of those old 173gr bullets left. I hadn't planned to do any research until they were almost exhausted. So here we go

http://ar15barrels.com/data/TM43-0001-27.pdf

Page 200 is M118SB and page 208 covers M852 which is the 168gr SMK.
Note that the 168 only uses 42gr of 4895.
Also note that the 175gr SMK bullet is 0.05" longer than the 168.

I can't find a published spec for M118LR.

[Gunsrruss]

M118 Special Ball

This is what I use for all long range loads. 44gr of 4895. The M118LR is the new 175gr bullet. I don't have any of the 175gr bullets. I do have 3000 of the old 172/173gr bullets Don't know what the difference would be in length. Maybe nothing. I know once I switch over to the 175 I probably won't be dropping my powder by much. Probably will be switching my powder to WCC 846 sense I have 50 LBS of it.

[California-Quigley]

don't forget military case capacity is different. so a different powder was probably used to ensure proper burn rate and pressure readings. I opted to use a powder with minimal temp sensitivity. as the temp between my home range and work can vary as much as 20+ degrees.

[ar15barrels]

Don't know what the difference would be in length. Maybe nothing.
I know once I switch over to the 175 I probably won't be dropping my powder by much.

Post pictures of the blown primers and primer pockets when you get there.