M305 Hunting Ammo?

raab · #1 10-21-2017, 01:00 PM

Whats everyone use in their M305's for hunting deer? A lot of guys have said to try the blue box Federals in 150GN, but also hearing good things about the 165gn GameKings by Federal.

hogie · #2 10-21-2017, 03:04 PM

Buy a box of both and see which the rifle likes more. Both would work on game.

DireWolf · #3 10-21-2017, 03:17 PM

Do not use a super hot load since the M305 is an M14 which is an M1 Garand derivative. If you use loads that are much hotter than spec 7.62nato you end up forcing more gas into the gas system and that will just beat your gun to death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_F1riBth8

Personally, I'd suggest the Hornady Whitetail 150gr that's on sale right now http://www.cabelas.ca/product/72126/...902&utm_source

Or if you just wanna search yourself here is a very handy website: https://ammobin.ca/

.338Mag · #4 10-21-2017, 03:49 PM

I've used the hornady superperformance 150grn and Sierra game King 165. Gun seems to shoot better with the 165s, mine is the short barrel version m305

Edit: the 150's were the SST's

raab · #5 10-21-2017, 10:20 PM

Thanks for the help guys. Will try out a few different types, biggest thing with the semi auto is I dont want cheap cases getting ripped apart or misfeeding.

Also thanks for the ammo bin website. Will use that to source all my bulk ammo. Lot of good buys on there.

bobinthesky · #6 10-22-2017, 07:17 AM

There's lots of stories on the net about guys bending or breaking the operating rods on M-1A's using heavy bullets and max loads. Since the M305 is an M-1A clone, I'd wouldn't push the loads just to be on the safe side.

mgvande · #7 10-22-2017, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .338Mag

I've used the hornady superperformance 150grn and Sierra game King 165. Gun seems to shoot better with the 165s, mine is the short barrel version m305

Edit: the 150's were the SST's

Superformance would be a prime example of ammo not to use in a M14/garand style rifle.

catnthehat · #8 10-22-2017, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobinthesky

There's lots of stories on the net about guys bending or breaking the operating rods on M-1A's using heavy bullets and max loads. Since the M305 is an M-1A clone, I'd wouldn't push the loads just to be on the safe side.

I agree.
I have a good friend who collects Garands.
he was explaining too me one day just how important it was to make sure his hand loads match the factory ammo pressures for the rifles to operate properly.
He showed me lots of instances of operating rods and action parts failed because of too much pressure, be it with a lighter bullet or a heavier one.
You don't need to push ammo that fast out of an M1 to make it accurate or to make it kill well!

Cat

Unregistered user · #9 10-22-2017, 09:47 PM

M1A Match load is 168gr at about 2450 fps. Believe it or not, 30-30 Leverevolution 160gr 2400 fps from the factory load. My Winchester is a lot lighter and more accurate than my old m305 which I sold.

bobinthesky · #10 10-23-2017, 07:13 AM

I always understood the 168 grain match load to be around 2600 fps.

Here's a good read for anyone loading for the M-14/M-1A/M305.

http://www.zediker.com/downloads/14_loading.pdf

raab · #11 10-24-2017, 07:19 PM

After reading that, now I'm worried about using the Federal's because of the soft Federal Primers. Anyone know of some ammo that uses CCI primers?

raab · #12 10-24-2017, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered user

M1A Match load is 168gr at about 2450 fps. Believe it or not, 30-30 Leverevolution 160gr 2400 fps from the factory load. My Winchester is a lot lighter and more accurate than my old m305 which I sold.

I like the Garand Style Peep, and plan on using it to get into medium/long range Iron Sight shooting. It's also not much heavier then a bolt action with a scope for walking if you dont put an optic on it.

Unregistered user · #13 10-25-2017, 08:34 AM

It'll be a fun gun to hunt with, the US GI sight is a great one and if you were lucky your chicom copy is good too. Quality control is a bit iffy but you get a lot of gun for the money.I put a steel mount (Aim-tech) I think and a Leup 3-9 on my M305. At 2450fps it was almost a inch at 100. with Norc bulk ammo it was about 6". Happy hunting.

.338Mag · #14 10-25-2017, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgvande

Superformance would be a prime example of ammo not to use in a M14/garand style rifle.

Any reason as to why it shouldn't be used? Everything I've read says it will be fine to use, it's heavy bullets (180grain+) that can damage your bolt

catnthehat · #15 10-25-2017, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .338Mag

Any reason as to why it shouldn't be used? Everything I've read says it will be fine to use, it's heavy bullets (180grain+) that can damage your bolt

Chamber pressure is too high
Cat

Dick284 · #16 10-25-2017, 06:52 PM

You have to match both the bullet weight and the powder burn rate to respect the Op-Rod in the M14.

Read here about it.
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/re...sgunreload.cfm

The problem is you have no way of knowing what factory fodder uses for powder.
Most ammo that is specific for Op-Rod sensitive rifles isn't exactly loaded with hunting bullets.

Time to start reloading.

mgvande · #17 10-27-2017, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .338Mag

Any reason as to why it shouldn't be used? Everything I've read says it will be fine to use, it's heavy bullets (180grain+) that can damage your bolt

Those things go 200fps faster than standard 150 ammo. This means higher pressure. I use 4895 in the garand. It has a similar burn rate to the original ball ammo. The m14 would be the same case. You need a low enough pressure when the bullet passes the port in the barrel or you're slamming op rods.

raab · #18 10-31-2017, 04:38 PM

Well the gun seems to like the 150Gn American Whitetail bullet. Shot a 1 5/16" group at 200 yards today with open sights. Was probably pure luck, but decided to shut it down as I didn't think I'd improve on that.

Gun is definitely ready to go!

In saying that I wouldn't use these bullet's a lot in the m305 because of the lead tip. I guess if you shoot a lot of lead tip bullets it can mess up the action or shavings could get into the trigger.

Unregistered user · #19 10-31-2017, 10:28 PM

That gun's a keeper, way to go.

wolf308 · #20 11-01-2017, 10:56 AM

Right on

Lots peep here including myself load for the m14 ..... if you do take it up -handloading we'll be here to help

raab · #21 11-01-2017, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf308

Right on

Lots peep here including myself load for the m14 ..... if you do take it up -handloading we'll be here to help

Well Im planning to do a bit of loading for it. So far this is my plan. Was thinking of getting 500 rounds of Lake City, as I heard their Brass is good for reloading. Powder 4895, CCI primers, and then try a few different bullets in 150 gn and 168gn. Will probably match the length to the Lake City stuff to start. What do you think?

igorot · #22 11-04-2017, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raab

Well Im planning to do a bit of loading for it. So far this is my plan. Was thinking of getting 500 rounds of Lake City, as I heard their Brass is good for reloading. Powder 4895, CCI primers, and then try a few different bullets in 150 gn and 168gn. Will probably match the length to the Lake City stuff to start. What do you think?

Same set up LC brass, BR2 CCI primer, 4895 not sure on the M305, but my M1A prefer the 168gr. matchking sierra product #2200.

BPM · #23 11-05-2017, 03:37 AM

I think for most folks they sometimes forget that the M14 was designed for 7.62x51 and not 308win. So they load up hot ammo and then wonder why their guns are breaking. Common misconception is that Nato 7.62x51 is hotter than 308win, just like 5.56 is with .223, but its the opposite. It's mentioned in the links but for people skimming the thread yes, 7.62x51 IS NOT AS HOT as 308win.

Nato Marked 9x19 and 5.56 yep higher pressures, not so with the x51 its the opposite.

JustBen · #24 11-05-2017, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raab

Well Im planning to do a bit of loading for it. So far this is my plan. Was thinking of getting 500 rounds of Lake City, as I heard their Brass is good for reloading. Powder 4895, CCI primers, and then try a few different bullets in 150 gn and 168gn. Will probably match the length to the Lake City stuff to start. What do you think?

I did a lot of load development with my m305 and settled on 155gr AMAX bullets in front of Varget - but only a hair more than a starting load. I use federal and Winchester primers with no issues. Very accurate on paper but I never used this rifle for hunting.

The batch of Lake City I had was smaller case capacity than commercial brass. You will also want a small base sizing die. I had to trim every other reload.