Neck size or full length size Greek 30-06

[spur0701]

I'm shooting these reloads in the same M1, can I neck size only and still have reliable function in a semi-auto?

 

[Steve in PA]

You'll eventually end up with problems. Neck sizing should only be done for bolt action rifles.

 

[Jim Watson]

I've seen it tried. A guy was shooting factory match .308 in a DPMS with pretty fair results at long range. When he wanted to start reloading, somebody who did not know he was shooting an automatic recommended neck sizing. He struggled through about four rounds at the next match and went home to order a full length die.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

no experience with an M1 but tryed that in my Mini30 with poor results (would not chamber well), it's better to adjust the sizing die (back off a bit) to allow a better fit. I have done that with a result of tighter groups and still chambered well, no FTC. still though you have to set the shoulder back and trim to length every so often. by this time usually I'm beginning to get neck splits so I use that brass for shooting off-the-bench, when I'm not planning to recover the spent brass.

 

[Kevin_G]

Spur...my Sierra manual has a good section on service rifle reloading and discusses the M1 specifically...recommends full length resizing. As others have posted, you will likely have issues chambering by only neck sizing. I full-length resize the Greek stuff for my M1 and haven't had a single issue. Don't forget to apply a crimp...I use the Lee factory crimp die.

 

[Mr White]

I'm not a reloading guru by any long shot but I know enough to say +1 to full length resizing for a semiauto.

 

[spur0701]

Thanks for all the lessons learned....full sizing it is.....

 

[NuJudge]

It's not just a functioning issue, it is a safety issue too. Garands have a floating firing pin, with no spring to retard its forward motion on bolt closure. There is a rear receiver bridge on the underside of the receiver, with a cutout for the firing pin which is supposed to not allow forward motion of the firing pin until the bolt is closed, but firing pins (and the edges of the bridge cutout) wear.

You have much less chance of out-of-battery M1 firing with full length sized cases, less sensitive primers, and primers seated a smidgeon below flush.