Match bullets in semi autos

[w748]

I know many of you load match grade bullets in semis ,so, how do you seat you bullets to avoid setback without a cannalure? While I've been reloading for 30 years or so I've allways crimped for semis, bear in mind these will feed from the mag and not single loaded.
I just ran 20 cases through a FL die without the expander ball so I'll start there but I'd like to hear any other ideas or meathods you've used sucessfully.
If it makes any difference the bullet will be a Nosler competition ( 155 gr) in a .308. Almost finished with the new barrel break-in and it shows real promise!
Thanks for any help!

[Jackpot]

I have done quite a bit of match loading for the .308 and shot it out of a Springfield Armory Super Match M1A - I have been a Highpower shooter since 1993. My load of choice was Sierra 168gn HPBTMs over 41.4 gns of IMR4064, Federal case and 210M primer. There are no cannalures in the 168gn (nor in the palma 155 either) and that never proved to be a problem using "normal" neck tension with the expander ball left in the die. That rifle and ammo combo would hold the 10 ring in the 300 yard rapid fire strings if I did my job.
My opinion would be to load normally and setback shouldn't be a problem with 155s or 168s. You might run into problems (I never experienced this myself) by shooting heavier bullets like the 175s or (gulp) 190s out of the .308.

[whitewalrus]

I agree with Jackpot. I use Nosler 168 gr HPBT in my M1A. Not a match shooter, just picked up so many I might as well use them. Not had a problem.

I don't crimp my bullets for my AR's (.223 and 6.8 spc) either.

If you are afraid of setback, load some up and cycle them through the gun, then remeasure. If you need to, measure every one in the first magazine you shoot.

[10x]

I used Horaday 168 Match BTHP, Sierra 168 and 150 BTHP Match buttlets for both M1 and M1a. Never had a problem with setback.

I used normar FL or small base dies and normal expander. The neck tension was plenty. Keep in mind that you don;t have a lot of force hitting the bullet during feeding and recoil in an M1 or M1A is not like an elephant gun.

I used 41 grains of 4064 with 168 BTHP in the 308 and 48 grains in the 30-06.
I used up to 52 grains of 4064 with the 150 grain bullet in the 30-06.

[Hoser]

.003-.005 neck tension will work just fine.