M1A Scout 308 Ammo Question
- Thread starter Buickal
- Start date
TEXASforLIFE
SAINT
Their website states 308win (7.62x51NATO), but check your handbook that should have come with the rifle too be sure. I don't own 1, but other people on here do.
Classified
Professional
It was designed for 7.62x51. Go by what is stamped on the barrel/receiver. Regardless, I find that most who find it controversial to be casual shooters. The M1A is built right, unless your using a knock off I wouldnt worry much. I run South African surplus 7.62x51 just fine.
BET7
Ronin
I agree with checking the barrel/reading the manual. I have both a SA M1A rifle and M14 rifle, by James River Armory (built off Army blueprints of the M14, obviously without the select fire capability). My SA M1A manual indicates it's safe to fire both 308 and 762x51 NATO. My M14 manual states to ONLY use 762x51 NATO spec ammunition: 147-150gr M80 ball, 173 gr M118 match or the current 168 gr M852 match ammo. (there are some 308 options, but only if 762x51 NATO isn't available. This M14 has similar issues to the M1 Garand and BM59 that are extremely vulnerable to high primer slam fires which could be catastrophic to the rifle and injury to the person firing it.
Since you're asking about your SA M1A Scout, it's probably the same as my SA M1A rifle, and safe to use either 308 or 762x51 NATO. Trust but verify is my suggestion, by reading the manual and/or barrel inspection.
Since you're asking about your SA M1A Scout, it's probably the same as my SA M1A rifle, and safe to use either 308 or 762x51 NATO. Trust but verify is my suggestion, by reading the manual and/or barrel inspection.
Thanks for all the responses. I looked at the manual and found this. My reading of this is it comes down to can and should. Softer civilian ammo primers could be dimpled during round clambering and cause a misfire. Therefore, while the one "CAN" shoot 308 ammo in the M1a....one "SHOULD" not if the ammo because it could have the less hardened primers that military spec ammo uses. I guess if the 308 meets SAAMI specs....then it would have harder primers and be safe to use.
The M1A™ is designed and built to specifications to shoot standard factory .308 made to SAAMI specifications or 7.62x51 NATO ammunition. The specifications for standard
military ammunition include harder primers to withstand the slight indentation from the firing pin when the bolt chambers a cartridge. This slight indentation is normal.
The use of civilian ammunition with more sensitive primers or handloads with commercial primers and/or improperly seated primers increase the risk of primer
detonation when the bolt slams forward. This unexpected “slam fire” can occur even if the trigger is not being pulled and if the safety is on. Use of military
specification ammunition will help avoid this.
The M1A™ is designed and built to specifications to shoot standard factory .308 made to SAAMI specifications or 7.62x51 NATO ammunition. The specifications for standard
military ammunition include harder primers to withstand the slight indentation from the firing pin when the bolt chambers a cartridge. This slight indentation is normal.
The use of civilian ammunition with more sensitive primers or handloads with commercial primers and/or improperly seated primers increase the risk of primer
detonation when the bolt slams forward. This unexpected “slam fire” can occur even if the trigger is not being pulled and if the safety is on. Use of military
specification ammunition will help avoid this.