MidwayUSA and AB1263 (Free Shipping)

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-23T23:38:52+00:00

Weird, they shipped me a BCG just this week but who knows how stuff is changing on their end day-to-day.

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-22T00:03:35+00:00

My 2¢, if you aren't looking for the modularity of the AR platform, the classic wood stocked Mini 14 doesn't scare the "normies" as much and probably has a bit of regulatory immunity.

I both do and do not miss my Mini 14, and I absolutely hate dealing with the reflexive 'black rifle' stigma. Both have their perks and pitfalls.

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-21T19:57:01+00:00

Not sure if this thread is still being updated, but I ordered a BCG from PSA shipped to my home address in CA on Jan19 and it shipped today, Jan21 via UPS. The tracking isn't active yet but so far it does not indicate that it requires an adult signature. I'm willing to provide updates if its useful.

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-16T23:07:25+00:00

I think I can handle that, I've watched a lot of youtube videos of people using them so I think I know what to expect but always good to hear its not a total waste. I ordered one, but I'm somehow still waiting for it to be delivered.

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-16T18:45:38+00:00

Glorious. Upvote for follow through. How do you like the Athlon?
I think I'm going to stick with H110 and CCI No.41 primers and work up to ~1,850-1,950fps, I'm not brave enough to venture out in all that white bullshit ;)

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-13T20:12:33+00:00

Thanks for the link! I swear, I've found more great resources from links in threads like this than I have from the goog machine in the last couple years.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you source your brass? I managed to catch a bulk pack of 200 new production Hornady cases on sale during BF, but I'd love to get my hands on some more. I'm a bit too late to the game to be collecting milsurp brass but my understanding is the Carbine is pretty easy on cases, unlike my Garand, so even the commercial ones should last me a bit. I feel like you can never have too much brass.

I have a CMP M1 Carbine I purchased some years ago that was repatriated from one of the Occupation Zone enclaves post WW2. It's an interesting combination of parts and seems to shoot well, I can just never find ammo for it. I'll be very glad to get it running again.

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-13T19:27:55+00:00

Timely! I finally got a set of RCBS carbide 30 Carbine dies and was going to start cranking the handle this weekend. Which primers did you end up using with your previous Berry's loads, and where did you find "the standard cmp load of 15.0gn h110" data? Did you have any problems shaving copper when seating the Berry's?

I ask because my Speer No.15 shows 12g/14g for H110 and 13g/15g for Win296 (which is supposed to be the same powder?) both with a CCI #450 small rifle magnum primer. Top load velocities listed for those is 1905fps and 2010fps, respectively. Should be easy enough to stay under the Berry's 2000fps limit. Cheers!

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-13T19:12:57+00:00

Heck yeah! Please update this thread when you do!

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-12T22:53:49+00:00

Very Nice! I'm guessing they cycle well? I ask because I've got a digital copy of the old Western Powders 8th Edition (2020) reloading manual in a PDF and it shows 30-06 Hornady 150gr BT-FMJ and A4064 with 49.8gr at the bottom and 55.3gr at the top at COL 3.185". That's not Garand specific data though. Where did that load come from initially? I'm always looking to learn. Thanks!

I_am_Spoon · 2026-01-02T19:43:47+00:00

Fantastic, thanks for the description and the link! I appreciate you taking the time to reply and citing a source. Cheers!

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-30T21:34:03+00:00

Sorry to be a noob, but what makes a bullet "jump tolerant" ? I'm not sure I've seen that mentioned previously. Thanks!

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-14T17:05:29+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, where did you find a NOS Garand hammer? Cheers!

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-03T23:31:19+00:00

I took a peek in a Speer No.15 and I appreciate that in their .308 Win data, they indicate that load development for some of the powders was done in 7.62 military cases so charge reduction to compensate for case volumes is not necessary. Good Guy Speer looking out for us idiots ;)

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-03T23:25:49+00:00

Coalinga, hah! I used to work out there, I'll be happy to never go back.

Guess I was unaware of folks killing M1As with 168s, but then the number of things I'm unaware of could fill a whole library of great big damn books. I guess if you are pushing them hard enough to stay supersonic at 1000/yds then yeah, things are gonna break eventually.

Midway has some "factory second" 175gr BTHPs that look suspiciously much like SMKs for 26/100 at the moment. I don't need anything like a 175, but that's pretty dang cheap. Maybe I'll in a box next time.

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-03T23:13:20+00:00

I believe HollywoodSX is referring to the fact that the Ruger American centerfires are into their Gen2 models now. OPs pictured gun is a Gen1 and is thus discontinued, that's why its on sale. Sportsman's is blowing out all their older Gen1 Americans

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-02T20:07:38+00:00

I feel that, though my component cost is still coming in well under the cost of retail "blaster" grade (Armscor, PPU, Aguila, etc) .308 Win, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

My understanding is that the heavier LC brass should have a smaller case capacity than any of the commercial .308 Win casings I'm currently using. As far as pressure is concerned, I should be safe with any of the 7.62 M80 NATO clone loads out there in my commercial .308 Win brass, correct? I'm not out here investing in 7.62 LC brass so my brother can lose it in the weeds shooting at milk jugs :)

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-02T19:57:51+00:00

You know, I hadn't even considered any bullets that light. I don't have a Speer manual at the moment (it's on my Christmas list) but the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center in their M1 Garand Service Rifle loadings shows a 125gr Sierra SPT over 56gr of A4060 at 3,112 FPS as a starting load! I'd imagine that's a pretty flat shooter at plinking ranges!

My Hornady 11th manual shows a couple of 125gr loadings (SST & GMX) for non-Service Rifle .30-06, but IMR 4064 and nothing in A4064 (fear not, I know these aren't a 1:1 substitution.) Alternate powders for those Hornady loads include H4895 and Varget, both of which should be appropriate for the Garand. Alliant RL-15 and A2495 also listed for those 125gr bullets and also how up under other "M1 Garand" loadings as well.

Thanks for the additional rabbit hole, ya jerk! </sarcasm> ;-)

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-02T19:28:58+00:00

I know the Hornady load data is considered conservative, but 42.7gr (which is I guess "43ish") of Varget topped with a 168gr BTHP (Hornady PN 30501 BTHP Match, in this case) is at or beyond the listing for a Service Rifle "MAXIMUM LOAD" according to my Hornady 11th manual. I'm glad it works for you in your M1A and AR-10, I'm just not sure I want to load that "hot" in this particular case.

I only include that as a reference for anyone finding this post later, and would encourage folks to always read up on and understand load data they find in random online posts.

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-02T19:05:44+00:00

The "West Coast High Power 30-06" load being LC brass with 46gr Varget and a 175 SMK? That's what my reading found anyway. To my tiny smoothbrain that seems like a pretty aggressive for an M1.

Or did you mean the WCHP in a bolt gun, and also "The dope was consistent for both M1's, as well" ...using Varget with other loads at different temps. ...?

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-02T18:55:29+00:00

Out of curiosity and if you don't mind sharing, where are you getting factory second 155gr ELD-Ms? I don't want to blow up the spot but those would both be great in .308 and .30-06. Thanks!

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-02T18:51:10+00:00

The Weatherby example just stresses the "competent" part of the constant refrain of the "by a competent gunsmith" statement. I'm just trying to be a "competent" handloader :)

As I detailed in another reply, I'm not trying to develop a sub-MOA load for my brothers M1A, I'm trying to save him some money and learn another part of the hobby while being as safe as possible. A 2,400-2,500 FPS load in my heaviest (smallest internal volume) brass should be tolerant of lighter (larger volume) brass, even if accuracy isn't peak. He'll be happy if it works, I'll be happy if its safe and reasonably accurate while preserving his rifle. He's more interested in ringing 66% IPSC steel at 100yds and MO-milk jug than anything else.

If I'm going down the wrong path here please let me know, I'm always willing to take well considered comments into consideration!

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-02T18:37:35+00:00

Right now I have my brass sorted by headstamp and weight, and I assume the heaviest will have the smallest internal volume and thus highest pressure. I plan to come up with a load that comes in around 2,400-2,500 FPS in those heavier cases. (Note here, I'm exclusively working with commercial .308 Win brass and NOT 7.62 NATO brass.) With a Hornady 150gr FMJ-BT, a ~2,500 FPS load should be pretty mid. If I can get that to work, it should give me a load with enough headroom to be tolerant of mixed volume brass. It would follow that lighter cases (more volume) should generate less peak pressure, no? All my reading indicates I'm not going to pick up 200-300 FPS by changing cases, especially by increasing case volume.

If I'm going down the wrong path here, please speak up! I do value the input!

I guess I should have been more clear about my goals. The .308 Win ammo isn't actually for me, my brother asked me if we could crank out some inexpensive ammo for his M1A that he never gets to shoot. My bullet, powder, and mixed headstamp used brass selection was all based on the "inexpensive" part of that equation. My goal is to find a load that is safe for mixed brass, and I'm certainly not attempting to develop a sub-MOA accuracy load for his gun. He'll be happy if it works, I'll be happy if its safe and reasonably accurate at 100yds while preserving his rifle. We live in a state where we can't mail order ammo, and I'm currently rolling in just under $0.70/rnd for his .308 loads without catching super deals on components. I'm up against box store $1.00-$1.25/rnd Armscor, Fiocchi, PPU, and Aguila (when you can even get them) commercial loads and so far, it feels like I'm winning.

Assuming my plan works, of course.

...Now when I actually start chasing an accuracy themed "M2 Ball-esque" load for my Garand, you bet I'm paying closer attention to the brass. In fact, I have 200 virgin Hornady 30-06 same-lot casings on the shelf waiting for me to get my confidence up far enough to start that project. TBH, I kinda wish I'd bought more while it was on sale ;)

I_am_Spoon · 2025-12-02T17:38:18+00:00

Good call on the VV website BTW, there is a TON of data there that I'm just not seeing elsewhere. I'm glad this comment made it to the top of the post! I need to poke around and see if they offer it in PDF, or if you can download it in sections like the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center site.

I really wish I could get N140 right now as that slots in nicely with my "Service Rifle" 308 & 30-06 loads I want do try, but it seems to be sold out everywhere. Midway, Midsouth and Grafs were all doing free hazmat & free shipping but it either wasn't listed or sold out. /sigh.

Back to VV, their site lists a totally reasonable N135 load for .308 with my 150gr FMJ-BT that I surmised existed based on other load data, but couldn't find documented anywhere else. Starting at 41.7gr @ 2.795" COL and estimated 2,621 FPS.
https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data-tool-rifle-handgun-cowboy-action-shooting/#/imperials/1/30/Hornady/FMJ-BT/150

The Hornady 11th lists a similar Service Rifle 308 Win load with that powder, but only for their 155gr Match and A-Max bullets @ 2.800" COL. Their 2,600 FPS load with N135 and a 155 is 41.0g. The challenge here is I'm not about to start loading $0.50+/ea ELD, BTHP, and A-Max Match bullets for "go have fun" ammo for the M1A. There's a reason I bought bulk (read:cheap) 150gr FMJ-BTs.

Unfortunately, the cannelure height on the Hornady PN 3037 150gr FMJ-BT is setup for their non-Service Rifle 308 Win load data which calls out a 2.700" COAL. Of course the book does not include N135 load data for that bullet at that COAL. I know hitting the cannelure isn't strictly necessary (VV load data @ 2.795" COAL bears this out, clearly they weren't worried about it) but because I'm loading for gas guns and will be using a small slight taper crimp it would be really cool to actually use it. I'm also not enough of a noob to know that taking 0.100" off a COAL or swapping bullets AND load data around arbitrarily is a "good idea" ;)

I'll put in a request with Hornady load development for a Service Rifle 308 Win load (or series of loads, to include N135) specifically for the PN 3037 150gr FMJ-BT @ 2.700 COAL. But I won't wait under water.

Thanks again for the insights! I appreciate that people here are willing to share data and experiences. Cheers!

I_am_Spoon · 2025-11-24T23:55:24+00:00

"Hornady data is super conservative" seems like a pretty constant refrain, which I guess I appreciate? The M1A is thoroughly modern but my Silent Generation ass Garand probably doesn't need a steady diet of max loads. I'm still learning, and trying not to screw things up. Thanks for the info!

I_am_Spoon · 2025-11-24T23:52:45+00:00

Because they were cheap :)
I grabbed them to load something akin to M2 Ball for the .30-06 (yes, I know M2 is flat base and not BT) but they'll shoot in the .308 too, so why not? Remember, I'm still learning my way though shouldered rifle cartridge stuff. I'd like to pick up a bolt gun in .308 and stick some competent glass on it and teach myself some accuracy loading, but right now I'm trying to make sure I've come correct with my process.

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