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7.62mm NATO Questions

TonyE

TonyE

HONOURED MEMBER RIP
I have a few questions on British 7.62mm NATO rounds.

L38A1 Sniper/match ammunition - is the 155 grain bullet made by RG or is it a Sierra Match King?

L42A1/A2/A3 Sniper/match grade ammunition -What is the difference? I think the answer has been posted before but I could not find it.

L52A1 is alleged to be sniper/match grade. Has anyone seen any? Who makes it?

L57A1 - is this ball ammo? Who makes it?

Finally, not a 7.62mm question but .338 LM. Apart from L4A1 ball, does anyone know the L numbers for blank or AP? What were L1A1, L2A1 and L3A1?

Thanks
TonyE
 
Not sure about the "L" NATO 7.62, but the US 7.62 is made by Winchester Arms (Olin) at their East Alton, IL plant, but will be moving to Mississippi soon. The major amounts though are made by ATK at the Lake City Army Ammo Plant in MO. I'll have to check with the East Alton plant, as I have a number of friends there but I know they did not load the Sierria bullets in the match or sniper rounds.
 
Hi Tony
On the MEN site click on Linked Cartridges, click on 7.62 x 51 and at the top of the page is a section of linked ammunition with headstamp + L57A1 MEN 10 with green annulus.

Dave
 
I don't want to hijack Tony's thread but I do want to comment on weberoed's post.

Match ammunition loaded by Winchester is primarily, 308W (not 7.62mm), with the cartridges being loaded with the Sierra 168 grain MatchKing bullet. The large majority of commercial 308W Match is loaded by Federal using either the 168 grain or 175 grain SMK. The 7.62MM U.S. military sniper round is the M118 LR (Long Range) loaded by Lake City AAP with the 175 grain SMK bullet.

Ray
 
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Tony,

The L38A1 was made entirely by RG, and had a 144 grain bullet, not the 155 grain. It was only made in 1 year, - 1997 - (as far as I know), and was very similar to the L2A2 "Green Spot" round, but was said to be to slightly higher tolerances (although I have no proof of that). I seem to recall that it shot OK, though.

The L42A1 was loaded with propellant from Muiden (in Holland), and fitted with caps made at ROF Chorley; the L42A2 was loaded with Swiss powder, and the L42A3 has Swiss powder and Swiss (RUAG) caps following the shut-down of cap making at Chorley.

Regards,
Roger.
 
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