[silverlance]

I am using a Lee Loader (yes it does do full case length resizing) for the first time with mjy m1 carbine.

what type of primer does this use?

and are .308 bullets ok?

thanks

[Peter M. Eick]

Small rifle. I use cci-400's if I remember right. The 30 carbine is a high pressure cartridge. Don't put small pistols in it for you might have a slam fire or a blown primer. Neither is good for the gun and it won't help your condition much either.

[Smokey Joe]

Silverlance--Peter M. Eick has it right: Small Rifle are the primers. It is considered a Bad Idea to substitute Small Pistol for Small Rifle and vice versa.

.30 caliber = .308" diameter bullets. That's what to use. If you are loading for an M1 Carbine I'd stick with the 115 grain bullets for which it was designed, were I you. (Softpoint or FMJ work equally well I'm told.) Gas guns are notoriously fussy about the weight of the projectiles they are fed.

On the CMP website, www.odcmp.com you will find, after some digging, a document which describes a great deal of the care and feeding of the M1 Carbine, including a recipie which duplicates the military ammunition designed specifically for it.

One more thought: The M1 Carbine being an autoloader, it is extra important to ensure that every primer is fully inserted into its pocket so that a slam-fire will not occur.

Enjoy yr Lee Loader! Many, many reloaders started with one (me included) and eventually broadened out from there.

Oh, and welcome to The Magnificent Obsession--Reloading!!