[Cliff C]

What kind of milsurp ammo have you found works best?

By "best", I mean reasonably accurate, cycles reliably and isn't too dirty. N/C is a given, but I don't care whether it's Boxer or Berdan primed.

I'm going to be doing some of my own comparisons using some Argentine ammo that I've heard is good, Hirtenberger, and maybe some Brit Radway green.

Thoughts?

Cliff

[John Henry]

How 'bout the worst I've found?
Russian built "Wolf" brand .... not only is it dirty, but you can't re-load the left-overs (steel cases).

[dinosaur]

I`m presently using South African but that`s because it`s easy to find. The guys I know who are real rifle fanatics all recommend Hirtenberger, Radway and the Portugese. I haven`t been able to find any of them yet.

Do stay away from Wolf unless it`s going to be used in a 3rd world gun. The few sheckles you save isn`t worth the aggravation.

[Grayfox]

I've had good results with Radway Green and the Portugese stuff. I can do better with handloads, but the surplus stuff is so cheap that the difference isn't worth the trouble.

[fal308]

Don't know about M1As but most of my FALs like like Radway Green, Hirtenberger and Portugeuse. Only one of the FALs likes Cavim.

[Carston]

I have been using the Radway and some Portugese and have been happy. PMP, the SA commercial stuff (used in my AR15) have a foul odor about it. As far as I have read Civim has a tar sealer or something and will play hell with the gas system and Wolf is just plain dirty and will gum it up fast as well. Then you also have the Steel, Laquered cases as well.

Good luck, when did you get your Bday Present :D

Carsten

[KMDO]

I would suspect the 1st world mil surplus and if you have luck please post your results if you will. I need some of that stuff for my lowercost M1A. I usually shoot federal red box or Gold medal as the cases are stronger on GM than normal factory rounds but not as thick as LC cases but a lot more pliable brass. I got a ton of LC and loaded some of it and it worked great in an HK91 But havent tried it in a M14 type. It is just too time consuming to clean and load all of it and remove the crimp, its from a desert USMC base and lost of sand and mud on the cases so I will take that stuff slow.

[Carston]

Cliff, check out www.ammoman.com (http://www.ammoman.com) www.southernammo.com (http://www.southernammo.com) or www.ammunitionstore.com (http://www.ammunitionstore.com)
Then if you want to roll your own www.scharch.com (http://www.scharch.com) and the bullet/brass combo under catalog or something and a Lee 35th Anniv Kit from www.midwayusa.com (http://www.midwayusa.com)
I also have a great load Data as well....Have 300 loaded but I have been having tooooo much fun with Mil Surp.

Early congrates....

Carston

[Cliff C]

Thanks for the replies, folks!

I've heard good things about the Portugese stuff, so I'll pick some of it up as well.

I've also heard that there is a lot of the South African stuff out there that is a bit "hot." I think there's an M3 (as opposed to an M1 or M2) on the headstamp. I do NOT shoot Wolf. I know it's cheap, but to me, lacquered steel cases just speak of trouble.

I currently have 200 rounds of the Hirt and 200 rounds of the Argentine stuff on order. I know where to find the rest.

Should be fun. :)

Ober - Federal Red Box is one my faves for cheap, but good quality, commercial loads. For my Garand, I have over 1,000 rounds of USGI 1952 LC ball. Vacuum sealed in their original spam cans. Every piece of brass gets saved.

Carston - I pick the rifle up the day after tomorrow. I don't get to SHOOT it until my birthday at the end of this month. I don't mind... I'll spend my B-Day at the range, test the different ammo and then we'll go have a big old Mexican dinner. I can't think of a better way to spend the day. :D

Cliff

[Carston]

Humm, get you some Tetra Grease and clean it really good and grease the Bolt up. It looks like you will have a week or so to pick up an extra dozen or so USGI mags...deals to be had at both www.ar15.com (http://www.ar15.com) and www.assaultweb.net (http://www.assaultweb.net)


Let you in on a little secrect...Stu owns 2 AR's I think he is a closet Bi....Do I want Mini's or shall I go all the way.
He wants nothing to do with my .300 Win Mag...niether do I :eek:
Offer still stands to whip you up a USGI cammo stock. Or even better get you a Birch or Walnut From Fred's

I darn near bought a rebuilt Garand, all USGI and redone stock for $850...rebarreled to .308. But I got slow down and sell a few homes. Oh but this Garand was nice.

Well, Happy birthday and it seem you shall have some time to get to know her well.....Post pic's ASAP.

M1A owners have to know...you will understand later. Mini 14 guys keep buying wantabe mini look a likes, go figure.

Carston

[Cliff C]

Originally posted by Carston:
<STRONG>Humm, get you some Tetra Grease and clean it really good and grease the Bolt up. It looks like you will have a week or so to pick up an extra dozen or so USGI mags...
</STRONG>

I have Tetra grease... but only for lubing the slide rails on some of my semi-auto pistols. Expensive stuff. ;)

No, for my M1 and M1A, I'll stick with the grease developed just for those two rifles - Plastilube. It's derived from Lubriplate 130A, but is better and longer lasting. I have several jars of the stuff, all of which cost less than *one* small tube of Tetra.

Carston my friend, you have GOT to get yourself a Garand one of these days. Sell one of those 7.62X39 plinkers, ditto one of the .223's, and you can buy yourself a real honest to God .30-06 battle rifle... all USGI with a forged 4 lug receiver. M1A's only have a 2 lug, investment cast receiver - unless you pay close to 3 grand and get their Super Match rifle which has a 4 lug... investment cast... receiver.

Oh, well. :)

BTW, I already have USGI 20 round mags. Pristine Borg-Warner mfg'ed, purchased before the "hi-cap" mag ban took effect here in CA. I also have USGI mags for the M-1 Carbine I have yet to purchase... but that's another story. :D

Cliff