Q. How do I duplicate US Military ammunition when handloading?

A. The following are the specifications for US Small Arms ammunition. If you have a chronograph you simply load the correct weight bullet to the velocity specified. If you don't have a chronograph (shame on you!) some suggested loads using military brass and bullets are listed.

ALL LOADS USE MILITARY BRASS (except the 9 mm), AND MILITARY BULLETS (OR THEIR COMMERCIAL EQUIVALENT).

REDUCE ALL LOADS BY 10% (EXCEPT THE LOAD MARK BY *) AND WORK UP

One supplier of US surplus components is http://www.gibrass.com

Q. What is a vented test barrel?

A. Originally ammunition for revolvers was pressure and velocity tested in a solid test barrel just like rifle ammunition but using an 8 7/8" (the longest "common" pistol barrel length) barrel. This method of testing led to results that showed abnormally high velocities, quite beyond what was usually achievable in an actual revolver with its typical .006" - .008" cylinder gap. In an attempt to generate more realistic velocity date a vented test barrel is now used for revolver ammunition. The gap is set to .004" and the barrel length is set to a commonly used length for the caliber under test. While the .004" gap is a bit unrealistic the results are closer to the real world than with a solid barrel. Typical differences are shown in the table.

Military Ammunition Equivalents

Cartridge Bullet Weight(gr)

Velocity f/s Suggested load(s)

M41 .38 130 950±45 6.3 gr PowerPistol, 5.2 gr Unique or UniversalM882 9 mm 124 1230±50 6.4 gr Accurate #5, 8 gr BlueDotM1911 .45ACP 230 820±25 5.2 BullseyeM193 5.56 mm 55 3250±40 26 gr. of H335, 26.5 gr TACM855 5.56 mm [for 5.56 NATO chambers ONLY] 62 3020±40 26 gr of TAC

MK262 5.56 mm [for 5.56 NATO chambers ONLY] 77 2750±30 24.5 gr TAC

M80 7.62 mm 149 2750±20 42.5 IMR4895, 46 grs. 748 or Ball C2M118 7.62 mm Special Ball 173 2550±30 43 grs. of RL15 or 748M118 7.62 mm Special Ball LR (Sierra MK bullet) 175 2580±30 42.5 grs. of Varget,

M852 7.62 mm MATCH (Sierra MK bullet) 168 2550±30 41.5 IMR4895

M2 Cal .30 152 2740±30 48 grs. IMR4895M72 Cal .30 MATCH 173 2640±30 46 grs. of RL15M1 Cal .30 carbine 110 1900±30 14 gr 2400 or 14 gr H-110** Do not reduce H110 more than 3%

Q. What does group placement on a target tell the shooter?

A. The charts below explain the meanings of group placement. The descriptions given are for right handed shooters. For left handed shooters flip the drawings left to right.

Vented test barrel

Test Barrel Differences

4" Revolver 4" Ventedtest barrel

8.875" Solid test barrel

158 gr LSWC +P .38Spl 882 f/s 919 f/s 1042 f/s158 gr JHP .357 1191 f/s 1257 f/s 1453 f/s

Rifle Target Problems

Finger too deep on trigger. Not pulling the trigger straight back.

Canting the rifle or not having front sight vertical in the same

place shot to shot.

Bucking the rifle. Pushing forward of the shoulder in

anticipation of recoil.

Helping or "heeling" the rifle by pushing forward slightly with the

heel of the firing hand.

Focusing on the target and not the front sight.

Lose sling or support elbow sliding.

Erratic breathing technique or changing eye relief.

Tight group anywhere off the point of aim mean the shooter is making same error consistently or being out of natural position and muscling the rifle into the

bullseye.

Not following through or anticipating the shot and/or

recoil.

Jerking the trigger.

Q. Why does the caliber designation of many cartridges differ from the actual bullet diameter?

A. The difference comes from the fact that there are two diameters of interest in a barrel. There is the bore diameter which is measured from the tops of the lands and there is groove diameter which is measures between the deepest part of the grooves. Depending on the manufacturer's preference the cartridge may be named from either of these dimensions. In some cases like the .460 Weatherby, which actually used .458" diameter bullets, the manufacturer my round up the number for advertising purposes. The actual bullet dimension is based upon the groove measurement.

In some cartridges (like the ".38 SPL") the designation may refer to an older design of the cartridge. The common .38 Spl has a bore diameter of .346 and a groove diameter of .357. It's designation is based on the original .38 cartridge, the .38 Long Colt (Navy) which used an oversized outside lubricated bullet of about .378" diameter and a slightly larger bore than current cartridges. And you wonder why the confusion?

The table below gives some common dimensions.

Pistol Target Problems

Finger too deep on trigger. Riding the recoil. (starting the "recoil" before the pistol fires).

Breaking the wrist in anticipation of recoil or relaxing grip at the

moment of firing.

Helping or "heeling" the pistol by pushing forward slightly with the

heel of the firing hand.

Thumbing. Pressing the side of the pistol with the thumb at the

instant of firing.

Tightening grip as the pistol is fired.

Jerking the trigger. Focusing on target rather than front sight, inconsistent grip.

CartridgeBore

Diameter (in)

Bore Diameter

(mm)

Groove (Bullet) Diameter

(in)

Groove (Bullet) Diameter

(mm).223 Rem .219 5.56 .224 5.68

Q. Is there issued US military shotgun ammunition?

A. For the most part commercially produced and procured shotgun ammunition is issued. There are, however, some type classified rounds issued. The table below lists the one's I am aware of along with the commercial rounds currently listed in the system.

.243 Win .237 6.01 .243 6.17

.264 Win .255 6.70 .264 6.70

.270 Win .270 6.85 .277 7.037 mm Mag .277 7.03 .284 7.21".30 Caliber" .300 7.62 .308 7.82.32 Win .315 8.00 .320 8.12.338 Wim .330 8.38 .338 8.589 mm .346 8.78 .355 9.01.38SPL/.357 Mag .346 8.78 .357 9.06

.40 / 10 mm .390 9.90 .400 10.16

.41 Mag .399 10.13 .409 10.38

.44 Magnum .417 10.59 .429 - .431* 10.90 - 10.94

.45 Colt .442 11.22 .450 - .454** 11.43 - 11.53

.45 ACP .442 11.22 .450 11.43

* Current SAAMI is .429"

** Current SAAMI is .450"

Designation IdentificationM19 All brass case 00 buckshotM162 Brass and plastic hi-base 00 buckshotM257 Brass and plastic hi-base #4 buckshotM274 Brass and plastic hi-base #4 shot

M1012(AA31)

Finned "less lethal" rubber slug. Clear plastic case marked "Rubber Fin Stabilized Non Lethal."

M1013 18 pellets "less lethal" rubber buck shot Clear plastic caseAA29 Beanbag round. Clear plastic case marked "Beanbag-Non Lethal"AA30 Launcher cartridge. Clear plastic case marked "Launching cartridge."

M1030 Breaching round. 1.4 oz sintered steel projectile. Brass hi-base clear plastic case

MK246 Mod 0 (A024)

Breaching round. Red all plastic cartridge

M35 .410 21/2 inch commercial loading #6 shotA023 Brass and plastic hi-base commercial 1 oz SlugAO14 Brass and plastic low base commercial 71/2 shotAO17 Brass and plastic low base commercial 9 shot

- Dummy. Clear plastic case with blackened hi-base metal. Marked "Dummy."

- 10 gauge commercial blank