Peter79

Has anyone else had issues shooting M118 through their M1A? I was lucky enough to get some LC 03 LR a while back in a trade, all from the same lot and it is outstanding from the bench. I went through about 3 boxes with the Basset mount and got groups almost as good as my Bolt action with handloads.

Recently I tore the rifle down to clean and grease it and found the op rod was hammering in to the front of the receiver leaving a burr where it turns down under the barrel. There was no evidence of the bolt hitting the inside of the heel but enough interference to make me a believe the powder (industrial RL-15) is too slow.

Phil McGrath

Post a picture its hard too invission what your discribling, there is a slight rise where the op-rod handle meets the saddle that gets a bur from normal usage and is common, its quickly removed with a stone or file and doesn't have any negitive effect on the part or the rifles accuracy.

Have you fired this M118LR over the chrono, lots from 2006 and up are better for our rifles, yours could be a early lot from 2003 and could still be a bit on the warm side, without chrono data or pic's Its hard too say.

Jason0839

Id kill for some pre-2006 M118LR, again we (as in the USMC) have been using the M118LR with the M14 for years, there hasnt been any issues with it, zero. Op-rod battering is more an issue with the Garand, not the M14.

covert

I just crono'ed m118LR yesterday 2666fps, I'll check the head stamp. seems hot to me though.

USNGM2sw

Is it a Springfield, Inc. receiver and op rod?

If so, it's not the ammo. I had the same issue with an SAI op rod.

nf1e@snet.net

It's the rifle not the ammo. SAIs are noted for peaning in that area. No big deal as I understand it. Good luck.

Phil McGrath

I did some digging, this pic isn't mine but does your bur look like this one? if so its not problem, just stone or file it away.

Attached Images

IMG_0146.jpg (5.0 KB, 236 views)

DaMoose

Mine has that from shooting 168s.

I put in a Tubb spring and a Sadlak spring guide and it quit

Phil McGrath

It quit because there was no more material too bunch up and is a common op-rod wear point, some rifles do it some don't its not the ammo, stone it down or run a file over the bur gone forever.

spsosicmcise

I dumped two lots from 03 and 07 the charge weight was the same. I don't know when or if they slowed it down. M11lr is all I ran through my emr with no issues.

Peter79

Thats exactly what it looked like, same spot. It is a SAI receiver and op rod. I bought it new in 2010, CA legal NM. Thanks.

Peter79

I still have some 03 and another lot stamped 01. I cant upload any pics right now, Windows is crashed so I'm booted in Linux.

Phil McGrath

Thats not hot but your getting warm.

Phil McGrath

True and not so true at the same time your about 50/50, the USMC helped develop the original M118LR load from the test shed, the first years were very Hot near 2700fps they were ment too be used with the M40 series sniper rifles, someone had the brite idea too use the same ammo in the DMR M14 sounded good but the rifles and op-rods took a heavy beating from the recoil and the M/V was down loaded some, a few years later Sept 11 happened and the M118LR went too war, it was found that the powders were found to be heat sensitive the pressures generated made the rifle beat itself again, so a more sutable powder was needed the M/V was down loaded again too what we have today, just a smidge over 2600fps in the M14/M1a rifle.

So yes there have been some very well documented issues with M118LR ammo performance in M14 rifles, most have been resolved, but as a standard precausion I don't shoot M118LR made prior too 2006 in a 7.62 M1 or M1a that I like or care about so its not just a spindly 7.62 M1 op-rod only problem.

Infact the gasport in the 7.62 M1 is 8.5in more foward so comparable loadings should be easier on the rifle and the 7.62mm M1 more powder burn rate and M/V flexable, my 43.grs of IMR-4320 with a 168 in a LC case makes my 7.62mm M1 sing happy tunes.

Anyway, back when the 175 Sierra was the new kid on the block, Derick Martin and Barrett Tillman did the original load development workup for use in the M14/M1a rifles back in 1995 for "Precision Shooting" magizine. There best load used was 42gr IMR-4064 in a LC case coal 2.83 M/V was a smidge over 2600fps and it didn't pound the rifle too death and still remained stable out too 1000yds.

Uncle Sam needs too read more, that sounds awfully close to the current load for M118LR used today?

MARINES84-88

I am loading 40 grains of RL-15 175GR SIERRA LR brass CCI34 PRIMER.
Crony 2440.What would be max muzzle velocity to save your op-rod on M14
2550?