reloading for FAL's

[Mr Clean]

In advance of my FAL, I might load some ammo-
I have lots of brass from my M1A days before
switching to the Dark Side. My question is
whether or not the FAL tosses the cases very
far and/or damages the cases. I was looking at the new FN berdan primed brass that Widener's sells for about $70. They also
sell FN 147 gr bullets for about the same price. Your thoughts? Thanks, John

[This message has been edited by Mr Clean (edited February 15, 2001).]

[Wadman]

It seems like any system with a fixed ejector such as an FAL will eject the brass a good distance. But a properly adjusted gas system should keep that to a minimum. Brass is ejected about 6 feet to the right and a bit forward for my rifles. Some thick tape with some foam might keep the brass from being dinged too much as well as keeping the dust cover free of brass marks.

[JoeG]

Mr Clean, I have been thinking about buying the same primed brass from weidener's. My FAL tends not dent the brass, however it does throw the brass 10-15 feet away. M1A's tend to set the brass next to you. Also, you can't go wrong with 147-150 gr. FMJ's in a FAL. I use WW748 powder with WW rifle primers with great success.

[Mr Clean]

Say, Joe, have you tried the surplus WC846
powder? It is supposed to be the same as
WW748. $87 delivered from Widener's. John

[BUFF]

Mr. Clean:

I have shot some of the FN 147 gr. bullets and can't tell them from W-W or Hornaday by their performance. Good value.

OTOH- buy some reloadable brass. You will find most of what you shoot. It will be reloadable. Check Widener's on-line, or ask for their catalog, you can do better. After all, the FAL is no H&K91!

BUFF

[HAMMER]

What is the barrel twist rate for an StG 58 ?

These barrels are not chrome lined, correct ?

[Mr Clean]

Brass I have. Lots of since I switched to
.223 for competition. You can also buy
168 grain match bullets from Nosler for a good price - $10.50 per hundred. Thanks, John

[Tristan]

What are your favorite loads for gas operated semi-autos in 7.62 NATO?

I have access to AA2460 and IMR4895.

I'm getting ready to work some up, so you're experience and knowledge is welcome.

Thanks!

[TomJ]

Mr. Clean,
I wouldn't worry about how far your FAL ejects that brass from Widener's. You can't load it past the first load because it's Berdan primed. That has 2 tiny flash holes, not 1 central hole that you can easily deprime.

[Mr Clean]

Tom, I was most concerned about my 1500+
pieces of LC & IMI match .308 brass. I no
longer shoot the M14, so there it sits.
I am really not sure reloading is truly worth it anyway, if I can get decent surplus
.308 like the Portuguez or other stuff.
How do those buffer attachments work? Thanks, John

[LAFAL]

Tristan, here's what I have so far with IMR 4895
once fired LC and Win brass, trimmed, flash hole deburred.
CCI LR primer
147 gr Win. FMJBT
46 gr 4895
RCBS small base sized and Lee crimp die
This load gave me an average vel of 2860FPS,(tad faster than service ammo and tossed them about 10 ft rt and behind me),
avg dev of 11.4fps and an energy 6 ft from muzzle of 2670 ft#s. Gas system on 4.5,(I think),handguards on, sandbagged. I have some loaded at 43.5 grains I want to try and I'll have to look up my trim and OAL after work. Bummer working a weekend when the sun finally comes out. I had worked this load up from Lee's Reloading Book and RCBS data. I'm hoping to chrono the 43.5's Monday or Tuesday and try them both on paper.

[Capnric]

Mr. Clean
I had to ask; where are you getting 168 grain match bullets for $10.50/C. TIA
Capnric

[Mr Clean]

If you contact Nosler, in Bend, Oregon, and
ask about their "seconds," they will send you a monthly letter with their specials.
As for their "seconds," you would never know.
I have shot them in my 03A3, M1 & M14, and
got great results. They also sell the 155's
very reasonably, too. Sometimes these bullets
miss the box, or get put aside, etc, so they aren't packed with the rest. Good stuff.
John

[Capnric]

Thanks for the info Mr. Clean.
Capnric

[dick w. holliday]

i reload everything i shoot and try my best to use surplus powder,bullets ect. i bought 4895 from patsreloading.com along with some FN 147 FMJ. Best prices i've found. my load is 42.5 gr 4895 which is light but shoots around an inch in my enterprize/steyr. i use DSA mount and old 36 power tasco bench rest scope to test loads. after i got good groups i put on my 2X aimpoint on rifle for some fun blasting...Keep on load'n...Dick

[mark]

IMHO.......I wouldn't use my match brass for a FAL. That stuff is trading material.

Find some used (M60 fired brass) for the FAL. I used to get them from a scrap dealer, he sold by the pound.

[Wadman]

Sierra has a similar deal on "pulled" bullets but I think you have to be onsite to buy some. "Pulled" bullets are bullets pulled from the normal production line for quality control testing. Even if there's nothing out of spec, they still don't put it back on the line for packaging. I got about 450 168gr. Matchkings for $45 a couple of years ago.

What's the contact number for Nosler's Special list?

[Mr Clean]

Nosler has a web site http://nosler.com
They have numbers, etc. They are nice people to deal with. I wish they would
offer .224 match bullets! They have monthly
specials. John

[GySgt D]

Check my website for my recipes.
http://christian_patriot.tripod.com/index.html

------------------
Th' FAL is wifout a doubt th' finess rifle available fo' defendin' yer mobile home o' huntin' camp fum them uppity Federales. Yo' kin use it equally fine while jack-lightin' deer o' keepin' th' possum sheriff at a comfy distance.

[CSAcavalry]

SSgt D,
Jes had to tell ya, yur rite on da monee suh,
dis FAL is de bess fer up cloze en pursonell.

CScav