Since your ammo is headstamped 2018, it's basically Reloader 15 and it should be 43.5grs, but as is typical with mass produced ammo that will vary a little.
Older M118 LR used a non-cannister grade powder called WC 750.
Boxes marked "Match M118" are even older and used IMR 4895.
That's some short details, the actual history of the evolution of the varieties of M118 could fill an entire chapter in a book.
This +1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^
I see sealant at both the primer and bullet. Was it difficult to pull the bullet due to the sealant?
This +1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^
I see sealant at both the primer and bullet. Was it difficult to pull the bullet due to the sealant?
When you want to pull sealed bullets you use a seater die and first push the bullet in a bit, and break the seal, and then pull the bullet.
I can’t believe I never thought to do that before!
Why do you want to know?
Great information AmmoManAaron.
+1
"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to AmmoManAaron again."
Maybe someone will give you some Rep. Since I can't.
Yes it was more difficult than normal. Had to go outside and hit my concrete step to get it to come free with my bullet puller.
When you want to pull sealed bullets you use a seater die and first push the bullet in a bit, and break the seal, and then pull the bullet.
Why do you want to know why I want to know?
Now you tell me lol. That would have been easier and smarter. Not to old to learn new tricks of the trade.
Seating it deeper by 0.005”, 0.015”, and 0.025”, and testing, is also a way to “tune” military ammo to shoot better.
I got him for you. +6
I thought I would ask pleasantly before I gave my own opinion, to see if there were some very specific insight he hoped to gain. Ya know, listen THEN speak....?
Military ammo has been so pondered and dissected and produced so much angst about “cloning”—and so much if that information is ALL over the internet—that re-doing the labor had better just be for fun.
Fun is a totally valid reason. Destroying good ammo in hopes that doing so will coax some God-like awareness from a tiny corner of the internet...well, that’s silly.
( Not that that was necessarily the intent of the OP. That’s why I asked. )
I thought I would ask pleasantly before I gave my own opinion, to see if there were some very specific insight he hoped to gain. Ya know, listen THEN speak....?