M14 Forum

Scootie71 · February 26th, 2008, 04:14 PM

I was wondering if any of you guys have figured out the handload for the M118LR for a Remmy 700. I just picked up a 700 with the 24" 5R barrel and want to keep with the 175 SMK's. After searching the site, it appears that it's loaded with either Viht N135 or RE-15. Somewhere around 42 or 43gr. Any help would be appreciated.

shawn b · February 26th, 2008, 06:44 PM

Out of my GA Precision M40A3 I load it with 42.2 grns of RE-15 with a 175smk and LC brass. Here is a pic.......

JunkyardDog · February 26th, 2008, 11:00 PM

Since you don't know if the M118LR produces the optimum accuracy that your new Remy is capable of, why not work up your own load?

I have one using Varget that consistently outperforms M118LR (accuracy and velocity) in my 700 and I'm sure many others do also.

USSR · February 27th, 2008, 04:39 PM

Scootie71,

Any load of yours that chronographs somewhere slightly over 2600fps would duplicate M118LR. The powder that LC uses is a noncannister grade of RE-15, but that doesn't mean you have to use it. Giving you a load is meaningless; there is no substitution for load development.

Don

Scootie71 · February 27th, 2008, 05:13 PM

Well, my thinking was that since the 5R barrel is used for the military sniper rifles, and the M118LR is a military load... I just figured I'd use that as a good starting reference point. I can tweak it for my rifles particular taste as I go along as with the rest of my rifles. Kind of like my M24 in the Army LOVED the Winchester Match, but surprisingly wasn't really fond of the Federal GM. I appreciate the input. Just wondering if there were any "perfect" combinations out there that you guys have found for the 175 SMK's with LC brass. Other than "breathe, exhale, squeeze. Repeat."

JunkyardDog · February 27th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Not bad reasoning at all. Thanks for the explanation.

I think a starting load of 42.0 grains of Varget might meet your needs.

flintsghost · February 28th, 2008, 12:45 PM

The 175 LR bullet is a good choice. However bear in mind that the 1 in 11, 5 groove, Russian slant rifled barrel , was designed specifically for the 168 grain international match bullet. The specifications were brought out of the Soviet Union covertly and Boots Obermeyer made the original barrels. He was also the contractor that provided all the barrels for the Armies M24 program using those design specs. The 175 is only very slightly different than the 168 and will do very well in that barrel, I'm sure. I haven't tried it yet in my own Obermeyer 1 in 11 R5 barrel which is chambered in 06 because I have been busy with other projects. But I will. I just thought you should know about the original thoughts around that barrel. The M118LR was an after thought that came years after the M24 was already in service.

Scootie71 · February 29th, 2008, 10:14 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Gives me some good starting points. (And background info)

U S Scout · February 1st, 2012, 08:33 PM

Take a look at this link: 700 r5

In the thread on 03-01-2010 I posted my Handload for the M118LR replacement for my Remington 5-R, It works great in both my bolt guns and my M25 LRB rifle.

Scout

Whatsinaname181 · February 1st, 2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn b

Out of my GA Precision M40A3 I load it with 42.2 grns of RE-15 with a 175smk and LC brass. Here is a pic.......

I need to upgrade my bolt gun. Ive always tried to keep my M700 as close to my army M24 as I could, for obvious reasons. I dunno though, that stock looks pretty sweet. Might have to upgrade in the future.

Bamban · February 1st, 2012, 10:12 PM

Just for laughs and giggles to keep things going. Folks who have not seen this data it might worth checking out. I have a few military issued M118LRs, but they all predate the MK316 MOD 0.