M-305 handloads

Lost...again

Lost...again

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Probably a really dumb question and in the wrong forum too.......but.

I am just about to start making my own rounds, at last, and seeing as how this is mostly a M14/305 site I thought Id get more info here.
I have a whole bucket full of once fired Rem/Federal cases, that were fired in my rifle. Do I have to resize all of them or are they good to go for the first reload ? Im asking because on the whole the tolerances on any 2 norcs can be as different as chalk and cheese. Do you guys stick to the Win 308 numbers or is there any unwritten leeway on case length. All the cases feed smoothly and are in great shape.
#### loss is definitely on the cards if I screw up...so I thought Id ask :)

Apologies in advance to every one whos gonna tell me Im in the wrong forum

Oh .. Im going to start with 150gr IMR 4895 cci200...does anyone do this and whats the oal of cartridge...please. My first attempts pushed the bullet into the case and the next ones fell out LOOOL Ya gotta laff eh.

You can tell Im not scared of lookin stupid eh, but the headspace on mine was just unde 17 thou at Hungrys clinic ...is that important ?
 
I would resize all, measure length, trim if necessary, pay carefull attention to primer depth and apply all necessary scrutiny to these reloads and not skip a step. High primers, failure of bolt to close are all reported to cause kabooms.
 
You can neck size on this platform, the chambers are so loose and sloppy (like manwich) it's not really a big deal. I don't have my books in front of me right now because I'm at work but I believe you want to trim those cases from 2.0075 to 2.015 and COAL 2.75 to 2.8 but make sure you double check that.

With IMR 4895 I believe the 168g match bullet behind 41.5g of propellant gives good results but with 150g bullets you may want to load a bit hotter.
 
Thanks guys, believe me.. Im not guessing or cutting any corners :) It just seems to make sense to ask those whove been there done that with this particular gun.
And the wife says I shouldnt even think about doin it myself at my age LOL, the risk of #### loss is too high.
Thanks again.
And Rocket.........good luck with the quittin.
 
You can use your FL sizer, but set it up so it does not quite bottom on the shell holder. This way you are not setting the shoulder back. A neck sizer would be better because you would not have to lube the cases.

A good all purpose OAL is 2.800. This will fit all magazines.

I suggest you try 42, up to 44 gr of 4895 in 0.5 gr increments and see if your rifle has a strong preference, if you want to maximize accuracy.
 
Ganderite said:
You can use your FL sizer, but set it up so it does not quite bottom on the shell holder. This way you are not setting the shoulder back. A neck sizer would be better because you would not have to lube the cases.

A good all purpose OAL is 2.800. This will fit all magazines.

I suggest you try 42, up to 44 gr of 4895 in 0.5 gr increments and see if your rifle has a strong preference, if you want to maximize accuracy.
Click to expand...

Alright we can lock the thread now, Ganderite laid it all out lol
 
Pretty much every publication out there will tell you to FL resize for pumps, semis, and levers. The m305 is so sloppy that you can get away with neck sizing. The need for FL sizing isn't a safety thing, it's to keep the gun from jamming, but I've shot about 120 neck sized rounds down mine no problem and I'm sure a lot of folks here will say the same thing. I think Jerry Teo even wrote an article about neck sizing for these guns.
 
Rocket Surgery said:
Pretty much every publication out there will tell you to FL resize for pumps, semis, and levers. The m305 is so sloppy that you can get away with neck sizing. The need for FL sizing isn't a safety thing, it's to keep the gun from jamming, but I've shot about 120 neck sized rounds down mine no problem and I'm sure a lot of folks here will say the same thing. I think Jerry Teo even wrote an article about neck sizing for these guns.
Click to expand...

Cheers Rocket, pretty much what I figured, this thing is not uber sensitive and its just a case of being careful and avoiding the hot and heavy loads. Great to hear its ok to neck size too.
I sized up 100 cases last night and Im doing 10 round loads sarting at 42g IMR4895 and upping it .5 gr at a time to 45 gr with a 150g jacketed bullet. Then off to the range and se what happens.
Cheers all for the help....me bullet putter inner is working great now, at least they arent fallin out no more .
 
light crimps can help as well to prevent bullets being jarred loose in the action of cycling.

primer pocket cleaners are a great investment to help you rest easy on the thoughts of high primers.

both hornady states brass length 2.015 on both .308 and .308 service rifle (section dedicated to m14)
 
Zeideker says full length sizing is a must for the M14 (4 times max)

htt p://www.zediker.com/downloads/m14.html
Anything that impedes cartridge progression
fully and freely into the chamber opens the door
for an out of battery firing. Case sizing is the best
safeguard against out of battery mishaps, and
small base sizing helps ensure slick chambering.
This is again why setting back the case shoulder
aplenty is important in this rifle. A bolt gun shooter
can feel the extra resistance if there’s a problem,
but the gas gun shooter cannot.
Click to expand...

I have read others that reccomend necksizing only - but they have specific criteria for the once fired brass/ see- htt p://m14forum.com/m14/3421-precision-reloading-m1a-m305.html
 
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