Reloading Mil-surp 7.62X51 cases

[bofe954]

Have limited experience reloading for pistol and would like to step up to rifle starting with 7.62X51.

I will be reloading for an M1A (later for a Browning BAR, the deer hunting one, not the belt fed one).

I will start with 40gr IMR4895 and 168gr HPBT's.

My question is brass. I have some Milsurp brass (SA, paki etc) and see lake city for sale all the time.

What are pros and cons?

I know the primers pockets are crimped- What tool is necessary to clear the pocket? Are the primers extremely difficult to remove or is it just the added step of removing primer and then the pocket treatment?

How many times would you reuse this brass, assuming the 40g IMR4895 load?

 

[Jimbo1]

I use an RCBS pocket swager. Works good, but follow the directions in the kit.

I don't think the SA is reloadable though, the stuff I've seen is berdan primed.

And lastly, check the load data for 168 gr bullets. Using military brass you should start around 10% less because the brass is heavier than commercial.

My last loads with the combo you are talking about, I believe I only used 37 gr of IMR4895. I'll check when I get home and confirm this. I just checked IMR's website, 40gr will be in the middle somewhere. I'm new at this also, but I keep hearing to use 10% below for powder when using military brass.

 

[bofe954]

I'll definitely check the manuals and start low when I actually load. I am in the component/info gathering stage at the moment.

I had actually thought that when people referred to the 40g they were talking about lake city brass.

 

[Jimbo1]

168 GR. SIE HPBT IMR 4320 .308" 2.800" 41.5 2463 43,800 PSI 46.0 2733 59,300 PSI
168 GR. SIE HPBT IMR 4064 .308" 2.800" 41.5 2518 43,800 PSI 45.9C 2766 58,800 PSI
168 GR. SIE HPBT IMR 4895 .308" 2.800" 41.0 2447 39,700 PSI 45.4C 2758 58,000 PSI
168 GR. SIE HPBT IMR 3031 .308" 2.800" 39.0 2507 43,900 PSI 42.0 2710 58,900 PSI


This is from IMR's site for 168 gr. This is data for 308 win. Start load is 41 gr of 4895. Assuming a 10% reduction for military brass, you would have a start load of 37 gr.

Also, check the owners manual on your M1A, I've heard they were not rated for 308 pressures, but I don't have one. I'm still too poor for that, I am feeding a FAL with my reloads.

 

[USSR]

bofe954,

I think you will find the SA and Paki ammo to be berdan primed, and therefor not reloadable. The LC brass is boxer primed and, what with the current high cost of milsurp ammo, is a good way to go (if you can find it). However, please be aware that once-fired LC brass is likely to have been machinegun fired, and it's useful life seriously degraded. For decrimping, the Dillon Super Swage 600 is the best tool, but pricey (about $90, I believe). The primers are not difficult to remove (I use a Universal decapping die). Your 40.0gr IMR4895 load is a light one, with most guys using a standard 41.5gr load with the 168SMK. Brass life will vary and depend upon several factors. Hope that helps.

Don

 

[bofe954]

That'll work. I think I was confusing berdan primed and crimped primers. I found another thread that mentioned "looking for two holes" and figured out the berdan deal. Thanks

 

[Dr. Dickie]

I am reloading LC .308 and use 40 gr of IMR 4895 with a 147 gr BT bullet (trying to pull this out of my head right now) and get about 2500 fps. I will have to check this when I get home but I am pretty sure that is right). I know I am using 40 gr or IMR 4895 for my .308 and 46 gr of IMR 4895 for my .30-'06 (150 gr bullet), and both come in right around 2500 fps.

 

[dmftoy1]

I think you will find the SA and Paki ammo to be berdan primed, and therefor not reloadable.

I had a bunch of SA on the shelf that I bought with the idea of getting an M1A someday and in the back of my head I thought "BS" when I saw this as I was pretty sure someone had told me. In the interest of providing ONLY the best info on the web I figured I'd better go brave the 17 degree weather and put two rounds downrange just to prove you wrong . . . . . .but I have to say you had it nailed. They are definately berdan primed and unreloadable. I guess they'll add some weight to my recycle bucket!

FWIW the headstamp on it is: A80 R1M1 7.62

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[USSR]

Dave,

Hey, recycling centers will give you over $1 per pound for it.

Don

 

[dmftoy1]

Yup, that's the plan . . .lots of practice and then a whole bunch of recyling with that brass. I'm really glad I picked up 500 rounds of LC once-fired from Midway when they had it.

 

[KHawk]

bofe954,you might consider Alliant brand Reloader 15 @ 46.3 grains under a Sierra 150 grain spitz (from the Alliant manual). The Military uses this powder in M118 long range sniper rounds. It is designed for the pressures needed in the M1A and other gas operated weapons.

 

[tbtrout]

I use LC brass with 40 gr of IMR 4895, Sierra 168 HPBT and Federal Match primers. I shoot it out of a Rem 700, however it is one of the loads Speer recommends for a Semi. So far I have done a 4 shot group in 3/8 inch @ 100 yds.That has been the best 1/2 to 3/4 are the norm.

 

[donttellthewife]

The berdan is not unreloadable, it's just different and a little more difficult. It took a couple 100 to work out all the problems, all accept one. No one kept the brass for me to buy thinking it was unreloadable:banghead: Now I look at my 4000 plus primers and just dream about all that brass that went to the scrap yards.

 

[highlander 5]

First off get a set of Small base dies if you plan to reload semi autos. I have no experience with the M1A but the Browning Bar is another story tight chamber and couldn't get a decent enough crimp on the bullets as they were jammed further into the case on loading from magazine. wouldn't own another even if given to me.

 

[spencerhut]

I'm not so sure the small base dies are going to do much more than over work the brass, and you. I've used both small and large base and both pass the case gauge. So if the standard base die passes the gauge, why use the small base die?

I'm no expert, just a thought.