.30-06 M1 Rifle (Garand) reload issue

[khickey3492]

Using data from several different reloading manuals, I developed the following load for use with my M1 Garand:

Powder/weight: IMR 4895 45 grains
Primer WLR
Brass: Remington (1X fired, cleaned, resized, trimmed to 2.485")
Bullet: 168 grain BTHP
Cartridge OAL: 3.285"

This load functions well in both my M1's, accuracy is acceptable and the rifles function (feed, eject) well.

The issue I have noticed is the primers are "set back" after firing. (They are flush or below upon reloading). They extend about 0.030" above the cartridge base.

Military surplus ammo (HXP, LC) does not exhibit this issue.

It has been suggested this might be a "light" load, but I am within 2 grains of the maximum load suggested in the Hornady manual.

Any thoughts or suggestions? As it doesn't affect function, I am not overly concerned, but it is odd?

Thanks!

 

[Leo]

The M1 does have a generous chamber, I would double check your shoulder measuremnts on your sizing. It can be dangerous to neck size only, but I would get a stoney point set up and check your loaded and fired rounds against the loaded and fired rounds that didn't have the problem. I had several M1s, including a match prepared one and never saw the primers backing out, even with 125 grain plinker loads.

 

[trophyhunter]

It is a little odd, first thing that comes to mind is the primer pocket itself leaning toward being a little loose? If your using a hand tool to prime your cases that may give you some idea of whether that may be the culprit.

I had a batch of HXP brass that didnt play well with my RCBS swaging tool some years back and the pockets were loose giving similar signs.

 

[xring62]

Go to mil brass[LC] or Winchester. Federal[worse] and Remington can be known for this.

 

[indyjohn]

Go to mil brass[LC] or Winchester. Federal[worse] and Remington can be known for this.

Hickey- Try different brass.

In my experience with a similar recipe and Federal brass, I had no primer issues in my Garand, M1A, or AR.

Also, I agree with Leo, full length resize on semi-auto brass and get a good OAL on your gun's chamber - it'll shoot so much better...

 

[khickey3492]

The brass issue was one aspect I had considered, I'll definitely try different varieties of brass. Thanks for the suggestions!

Kevin

 

[sloughfoot]

The M1 does have a generous chamber, I would double check your shoulder measuremnts on your sizing. It can be dangerous to neck size only, but I would get a stoney point set up and check your loaded and fired rounds against the loaded and fired rounds that didn't have the problem. I had several M1s, including a match prepared one and never saw the primers backing out, even with 125 grain plinker loads.

Leo, with your permission, I will expand on your comment.

OP, what leo is saying is that you are full length resizing your brass too much.

There are tools to measure how far you are bumping the shoulder when full length resizing. Use these Stoney point tools to set your resizzing die so you are setting the shoulder back no more than .004 when full length resizing.

If you choose to not do this, no damage will occur, but you might see shorter brass life than if you do this.

 

[khickey3492]

I hadn't thought of the resizing aspect, I was resizing to fit my Wilson 30-06 chamber gage. I'll look into the Stoney Point tools. Thay should let me find a happy balance. Thanks sloughfoot for the advice!

Kevin