View Full Version : Widener's Mil Spec fodder
Received my 21 lb. box of newly-manufactured loose Mil Spec .308 150 gr M2 bullets yesterday. I bought 1000 for reloading the 1000 HXP I have on hand (yes, planning very far ahead). They sell for $92/500 and they are currently in stock at Widener's. The profile matches exactly the HXP round. The cannelure is in the same location as the crimp on the HXP. I measured a few just in case, but didn't weigh any. FYI.....
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u23/Liam_068/mbm2.jpg
Ping Sr.
10-06-2009, 07:24
Good to know. Thanks
Liam, not trying to pick but why wouldn't you load something that will give you a chance at better accuracy?
The ammo I load for accuracy is fired from my M1903. I am running on the assumption that the M1, when it finally arrives, will have average M1 accuracy which is usually not as good as an M1903 Springfield. This is OK. I do not plan on bedding the M1 or making any other adjustments to the weapon to increase accuracy because I may wish to shoot a JC Garand match and want the weapon to be legal. Realistically I cannot expect the same accuracy from an M1 and I am unwilling to waste SMKs and Scenars trying to find out what others already have.
Uh-oh. This may ruffle some feathers!
The ammo I load for accuracy is fired from my M1903. I am running on the assumption that the M1, when it finally arrives, will have average M1 accuracy which is usually not as good as an M1903 Springfield. This is OK. I do not plan on bedding the M1 or making any other adjustments to the weapon to increase accuracy because I may wish to shoot a JC Garand match and want the weapon to be legal. Realistically I cannot expect the same accuracy from an M1 and I am unwilling to waste SMKs and Scenars trying to find out what others already have.
Uh-oh. This may ruffle some feathers!
168gr SMKs out perform anything else in my GI-barreled M1s, which is why I recently sold most of my HXP ammo.
No ruffled feathers here, I'm just wondering what's wrong with your M1. I hope that Widener's didn't send you some of those Yugo bullets.
No ruffled feathers here, I'm just wondering what's wrong with your M1.
Nothing is wrong with my M1 as I have yet to receive it. It is on order. It may shoot HXP like a house afire. I'd be pleased because I have nearly 1,000 rounds waiting to be used. I'm not doubting the aerodynamic superiority of SMKs over mil spec ammo either. I am simply not expecting as much in terms of accuracy from the M1 as compared to my M1903, therefore mil spec ammo purchased in bulk makes financial sense to me and meets my needs as a casual shooter. Just trying to spread the word about bullet availability to those like-minded folks here on CSP.
musculus
10-08-2009, 07:45
Ouch!!!
.20*++ cents each!!!!!~ (*shipping costs also)
figure 24 cents each + 5 cents for primer + 20 cents for powder *(+ zero cents for brass) = 45-50 cents per round (figuring zero cost for your valuable time). If you throw in minimum wage at 50 rounds per hour it's gotta be 75 cents each!! For a reloaded BALL-AMMO 3MOA round.
Glad i hoard(ed) components and gi ammo. !!
Agree! At least I'm better off than folks with no HXP and are forced to buy Hornady's Garand-friendly ammo - IF YOU CAN FIND IT!
Nothing is wrong with my M1 as I have yet to receive it. It is on order. It may shoot HXP like a house afire. I'd be pleased because I have nearly 1,000 rounds waiting to be used. I'm not doubting the aerodynamic superiority of SMKs over mil spec ammo either. I am simply not expecting as much in terms of accuracy from the M1 as compared to my M1903, therefore mil spec ammo purchased in bulk makes financial sense to me and meets my needs as a casual shooter. Just trying to spread the word about bullet availability to those like-minded folks here on CSP.
It's not just the "aerodynamic superiority" of the SMKs or other premium, match-grade bullets that make them so accurate; it's the QC and manufacturing processes. When you reload with SMKs, you eliminate one BIG variable from your handloads - the bullet. With bulk bullets, you'll get more variance in weight, dimensions, concentricity and maybe, balance. I'll shoot bulk bullet handloads offhand at 50 yards with my M1s and '03s, but for accuracy at 100 yds and beyond, SMK handloads are all I shoot. IMO, you'll never know the accuracy potential of your (Service Grade) M1 until you feed it some good, match grade ammo. I hope your bulk bullets work well for you.
MidSouth Shooters Supply recently had Nosler 168 HPBTM bullets
on sale for $176.71 per 1000. This works out to $88.35 per 500.
This in my opinion is the best deal going on .30 cal bullets, and a
match bullet to boot.
Since this thread received some very adamant testimonies about the superiority of 168s by Sierra and Nosler I decided that perhaps I am not giving the soon-to-arrive M1 a fair shake by relegating it to fire only surplus or USGI-spec ammo. So, to be fair, I loaded some 168gr Nosler HPBT with 47.5 grains of IMR4064 in Lapua cases. I'll load some more today and have a small stash of "high end" fodder to really test the M1's accuracy. It is scheduled to arrive tomorrow and I am very excited.
BlitzKrieg
10-21-2009, 03:41
Sir, no doubt SMK and other high end bullet will perform top shelf , however,
when I can get 1/2 inch accuracy groups with HXP out of my Garand at 100 yds and reload HXP brass with pulled GI M2 150 gr FMJ and match that accuracy, ....well , I am happy with 150 gr FMJ 30 cal . bullets. Now...that said, I paid 10 cents a piece a few years ago so they make a cheap accurate load.
If I had to pay 17cents for milsurp bullets, then I would rather go to commercial bullets for a few cents more and gain less variables in the reloading process / accuracy results.
Without question: comments given you on this thread are solid.
Liam,do these projectiles attract a magnet? Thanks, Jim
Just as I sat down to type this my M! arrived!
No, the bullets do not attract a magnet. I just checked. Also, I think in the Wideners description they stressed that these are good for those ranges that have an issue with steel projectiles.
Gotta go open my CMP box now!
Dave Waits
10-22-2009, 02:39
Liam, I have a mint Smith-Corona with a combined TE-ME of 1 on the S-C43 barrel and both my JCG rifle and my Match-Garand will outshoot it.
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