M1A split case heads

[Pete1979]

RE Small base Dies

Very true, Small based dies are not required and may not be for everyone.

I use once fired Lake City brass in the M1a and its HARD. Probably old machine gun brass. I've had trouble getting it sized through my regular full length die with all different kinds of lube. The Co Ax press seems to make a difference too as it has more leverage. My best results come from the small based die and hornady sizing wax, but that's just me...

[30Cal]

30cal .......

Slam fires are not caused by the ammo unless your primers are seated too high...

Kuhnhuasen's The US 30 Caliber Gas Operated Service Rifles; A Shop Manual pg 23 cites inadequate sizing as the contributor of a known slamfire.



OP: you'd normally be hard-pressed to find someone knowledgeable who will say it's safe to push cases through an M1 or M14 more than a handful of times.

[Shooter88]

Kuhnhuasen's The US 30 Caliber Gas Operated Service Rifles; A Shop Manual pg 23 cites inadequate sizing as the contributor of a known slamfire.



OP: you'd normally be hard-pressed to find someone knowledgeable who will say it's safe to push cases through an M1 or M14 more than a handful of times.

Yeah, I didn't realize how hard the actions on Garand's, and M1A's really were on brass, otherwise I would have tossed them long ago.

[okglockman]

In my experience, multiple reloads on the same brass and especially loading them "too hot" can and will eventually cause the casings to break.

[Innovative]

30cal .......

I agree that if one follows the directions that come with reloading dies, case life will definitely be short .... especially for gas guns.

However, the right comparative measurements will guide most shooters away from using SB dies, and it will increase brass life and reliability.

[Shooter88]

30cal .......

I agree that if one follows the directions that come with reloading dies, case life will definitely be short .... especially for gas guns.

However, the right comparative measurements will guide most shooters away from using SB dies, and it will increase brass life and reliability.

How exactly are SB dies different from others?

[Pete1979]

SB dies

Small based dies resize the case to the minimum or .001 or .002 below spec to ensure reliable feeding.
Innovative is 100% right, they do shorten case life by working the brass more during sizing.
I and a few others pitch gas gun cases after 3 or 4 firings. You should read the article from Zedikers "reloading for the match M1a". I don't know how to post the link, please excuse my ignorance (Bliss)...