Reloading for FAL

[concretus]

Okay, I've read a bunch here in the past about alot of people preferring Varget to reload for the FAL. I've read that the charge for a 150gr bullet is approx 43-44gr. I'd like to try using Sierra 165gr hpbt. and I'm guessing that there van be some great performance achieved with Varget. I'm using LC-77 brass and Win LR primers. Any body out there got a good recipe using Varget? What about using Win brass?

On a side note. I want to mass load some 147-150 gr ammo because of the increasing cost of milsurp ammo. I have a bunch of IMR-3031 and H-4895. Any information on using any of these powders? Any results?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Information

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[Former Cav]

here is a few loads for you.
AS always... ALL DISCLAIMERS apply. REDUCE your loads 10% and work up your loads. Your throut and rifle chamber are different then mine!
PS.. the SAR 48 is a Brazillian manufactured FN/FAL in 7.62 and was made for Springfield Armory.
HTH
Bob

CRONOGRAPHED LOADS


with an M1A Springfield in 7.62 Nato.
ONce fired LC brass from scharch mfg.
Large rifle winchester brand primers (standard)
150 Hornady brand BTSP bullets
45.0 grains of varget brand powder
HIgh 2755, LOW 2710, AVG 2722 Spread 45 Std Dev 18
Very Accurate Load, tight groups, 1 in with IRON sights and 62 year old eyes!


Load as above but through a FAL SAR 48 Match rifle
High 2736, LOW 2696, AVG 2721 Spread 40 Std Dev 17

FAL SAR 48 Match rifle
Radway Green 1985
High 2824, Low 2786, AVG 2801, Spread 38 Std Dev 20
CAVIM 1990
High 2666, Low 2633, AVG 2645, Spread 33 Std Dev 13
These are both very accurate and are TIGHT groups. 1 in at 100 or less!!
Wish I had 100 cases of each!

M1A Springfield in 7.62 Nato
Remington Peters Nickel Brass (easier to find)
CCI # 34 (magnum rated) primers
44.5 Grains Varget
High 2761, Low 2742, AVG 2751 Spread 19 Std Dev 9

CAVIM 1990 dated
High 2716, Low 2699, AVG 2710, spread 17 Std Dev 9
Very accurate as above in the FAL

Bulgarian Makarov
Sellier and Bellot ammo
910 (one round with me only... too bad)

Wolf brand for above
High 1071 Low 1049, AVG 1057 Spread 22 Std Dev 11

Savage Rifle, bolt, 1 in 8 twist Kreiger SS barrel 6.5 x .284
Lapua Brass
Lg Rifle Winchester Brand standard primer
142 Sierra Match King MOLY coated
48.3 Grains Hodgdon 4831 SC
High 2735, LOW 2687, AVG 2716, Spread 48, Std Dev 25

Savage Rifle, Bolt, 1 in 9.25 savage barrel .243 winchester
R/P Nickel Brass
Standard Large Rifle Winchester Brand primers
75 Grain Hornady Brand VMAX MOLY coated
39.7 grains Varget
High 3308, Low 3212, AVG 3272, Spread 96 Std Dev 52

AK type 56 Poly tech 7.62 x 39
Chicom copper washed bullets 1967 dated
High 2374, Low 2345, Avg 2357, Spread 29, Std Dev 10

Savage Rifle, Bolt, 25-06 savage barrel (shot out in 750 rounds!!)
R/P Nickel Brass
Standard large rifle Winchester brand primers
117 grains Sierra BT MOLY coated
40.8 Varget
High 2747, Low 2734, AVG 2706 Spread 46, Std Dev 23
This was the most WORTHLESS caliber I have ever owned. It became the 6.5 x .284

YUGO M48 8 mm Mauser Bolt rifle.. from Ames for about $89 way back when
8MM Turk surplus ammo 1944 date brass case on stripper clips
Unassembled.. bullet weights 155.0, 154.9, 154.0, 154.0, and 153.9
Powder is flake type weighs 49.1, 48.9, 49.2, 49.1 and 49.1 (pretty consistent)
High 2836, Low 2800 AVG 2815 Spread 36, Std Dev 17

Romanian Ammo 1972 date, painted laquered green steel case
High 2621, Low 2602, AVG 2608, Spread 19, Std Dev 07

|AR 15 DPMS 1 in 8 twist “service rifle” for NRA highpower
LC Brass
Standard small rifle Winchester brand primers
77 grain sierra match king MOLY coated
24.5 grains Varget
High 2667, LOW 2600, AVG 2633, Spread 67 Std Dev 26

Colt Govt Model 1911 in 45
MIXED brass
Large Standard Pistol Winchester brand primers
200 grain semi wad cutter bevel based
5.7 grains of Winchester #231 powder
High 855, Low 827, Avg 845, Spread 28, Std Dev 10
Same pistol, PMC brand factory loads 230 BALL FMJ
High 826, Low 797, Avg 806, Spread 29, Std Dev 11

This is through a Oehler 35 P Chronograph and is about 8 years worth of data
Sadly, I’ve sold lots of these weapons. Just don’t have enough room for them.

[slamfire1]

My lot of Varget turned out to be slower burning than I wanted for a gas gun. So, I am going to use it in my bolt rifle.

The 7.62 Nato cartridge was developed with IMR 4895. Powders close to IMR 4895 in burn rate will work just fine in 308 gas guns. Powders that I have used in my M1a, and occasionally my FAL are IMR 4895/AA2495/H4895/AA2520. These are very close in burn rate. AA2520 is a ball powder the rest are stick powders.

Even though the FAL has an adjustable gas, in gas guns I still prefer faster burning powders over slower burning and I prefer stick powders in the IMR 4895 burn rate.

I tested IMR 3031 in my M1a and it shot and functioned the rifle just fine. It is the fastest powder I would use in a gas gun.

GI ammo chronographs around 2800 fps in my M1a. I don’t want to push my 150’s that fast. I prefer being just at 2700 fps. Easier on the gun, brass, and me.

I have tested IMR 3031 with 150 grain Hornady FMJ’s. A mild load was 40.0 grains IMR 3031, that clocked at 2540 fps in a M1a. I shot 41.0 grs in a bolt rifle and that was just at 2700 fps in a 26” barrel. I figure 41.5 grains would be right at 2700 fps in a 22” barrel. I recently shot 155 Nosler match with IMR 4895. 42.5 grains IMR 4895 in a 26” barrel chronographed at 2716 fps. I figure a load around 43.0 grains would be a close to 2700 fps in a 22” barrel.

Your FAL is a rear locking action. Your brass is going to stretch. Expect case life around 5 reloads.