I'm looking for advice on accuracy loads for a lovely old Springfield. I have a box of National Match ammo made in 1963 with 173-grain bullets at 2550 fps, so will probably try something with 168-grain Sierras at 2600 or so. But any other suggestions would be most welcome.

I have used the Military Match load, from the Cartridges of the World book, with much succes.

They call for match brass, 50 grs IMR4895 and a 168 grain match bullet.

I have an old O3A3 that was sporterized by Golden State Arms way back in the day, and it shoots this load like a lazer.

Beware that this is a pretty stout load and is not for the faint at heart.

Thanks Riverman.

Bill, if you get serious, let me know as I have close to 1K of the 173 grain match bullets that I would like to sell.
Peter.

Peter: That's a nice stash. Will keep you in mind!

The first thing we 30/06 springfield and garand shooters do with M72 match ammo is pull teh 173 FMJ and replace with a 175 SMK or Nosler.

The 173 bullet is notorioulsy inaccurate at range.

The ideal loads for garands is somewhere around 46-47 grains of 4895 or 4064 and any 150- 175 grain BTHP match bullet.

1903s can take a bit more, but why botehr withteh extra recoil.

No question that the commercial match bullets are much better than the military match. However, when shooting my M1 Garand, standing, I am not going to waste my money on commercial match bullets when the limiting factor is my ability to hold the rifle steady! For sheer trigger time, the military match does the job without significant penalty (IMHO).
Peter.

Bill,

I have a 03A3 with a 4 groove barrel that loves the following:
Win case,
52gr IMR 4350
Sierra 180gr Gameking
CCI Large rifle primer
OAL 3.333
This load gives about 2500fps, is pleasant to shoot and in my rifle is amazingly accurate.

47.5 gr. of H4895 with a 168 SMK. Seems to work in all my '06 rifles.

It's been my experience that in military and sporter rifles the 165 gr. Sierra btsp or bthp will shoot just as well as the 168 mk up to at least 300yds., and at a considerable savings.