Does anyone know what the load for this military 308 round is? I know there have been at least (3) load variations since 98' so date specific info would be great.
Thanks guys

Perry

Anyone out there????

I have shot and chronographed what I believe are the variations. The first M118LR that came out was just that, LC98LR. It was M118 Special Ball with the 174 gr FMJBT bullet replaced with a 175 gr MK. It was loaded In LC cases with a ball powder (average charge was 44.3 gr). Velocity from my 26" M70 Target was 2608 fps. "Mexican Matching" M118SB with the 175 MK generates 2600-2640 fps depending on the lot of M118SB.

The second type of M11LR was that which was supposed to be loaded with RL15. I did not get to pull the bullet and weigh any charges but velocity averaged 2655 fps for the 5 rounds tested out of the M70. Accuracy was not better than the ball powder M118 loads (all under MOA).

The last of M118LR I have recently checked I also was not able to weight the powder but it appeared to be either 4895 or Varget. Velocity for 3 rounds out of the M70 was 2661 fps.

I had duplicated this last load about 12 years ago as my standard match load for the M70 is the 175 gr MK over 44.5 gr of Varget in LC89 match cases (45 gr in WW Palma cases) using WLR primers. OAL is 2.812" for magazine feed or seated long for slow fire single loading. Velocity averages around 2660-2670 fps. Accuracy is sub MOA, generally 1/2 MOA for 5 shot groups at 200 yards.

This is also my long range match load for my Fulton Super match M1A. Velocity is 2580 fps and it holds inside the 10 ring at 1,000 yards.

Larry Gibson

Great info Larry...thanks a bunch.

Perry

ALLIANT clames they sell the powder to the military to load the M118...RL-15. i get that info.. on YAHOO

"Cartridges Of The World" specifically lists either 44.0 grains of WC 846, or 42.0 grains IMR 4895 powders for M118 ammunition. The 175 grain bullet used had a velocity of 2550f/s (+/-30f/s at 78'), and a maximum mean radius of 3.5"@ 600 yards.

Alliant, Federal, and Lake City are owned by ATK. Reloader 15 has been used for at least the past 8 or 9 years.

Well, it has been reported that there have been 3 variations. Of the three companies alliat is the only powder producer and it does not produce all the powders used by Federal and LC. As I stated the powder from the one round I looked at (reputed not be RL15 and the 3rd variant) did not look like any RL 15 I've seen (I've been "seeing" RL15 for 30+ years). Any explanation other than contradiction would be appreciated to further this discussion.

Larry Gibson

from what i have read on the internet, the M118 match is loaded with RL-15., you might find a few lots loaded with something else but most is 15

Are you guys looking at m118 LR or plain m118, they are different. The m118LR looks like Varget to me but what do I know.
Larry is right in the different variations. I have 98', 99' and 03' and all three have different powders with different charge weights.
Thanks,
Perry

I'm sorry i did not know this, yes there is a different. i was reading a snipper sight. 2600 fps 2627 ft. pd .of energy with a 175 BTHP. for 1000 yards +