.308 reloading question (millitary primers)

king cobra

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hi all,

considering to reload in .308 to save $ and improve round reliability.

have read and asked all there is to when one considers himself a reload newbie but i forgot one question (appologies if it has already been talked about)

I own a m305 (chinese m14) great rifle, never had troubles with it with 500 rounds down its barrel. but looking at a spent casing, i noticed that the firing pin leaves a dent in the primer that proverbially rivals the size of a street pothole. i also once removed a chambered but unfired round because the firing line was closing: there was a small indentation on the new cartridge without having pulled the trigger... if the primer would have been too sensitive, i dont know if it would have gone off...

I also have read & seen the reasons and consequences of slamfires (though never happened to anyone i know at the range with norinco m14's)

So my question is this: are military type primers sold to the public for .308 rounds ? does anyone know if less sensitive primers can be bought?

Thx for reading. Cheers.
 
The M-305 has a floating firing pin, that's where the small indent on the primer comes from...so the thing "not" to do..is chamber a round manuely and let the bolt fly forward on the round..that's how to expirence a Slam Fire...I know!!!! not good:mad:
Bob
 
CCI makes the #34 which they claim is Mil Spec for these types of rifles.

I have used Winchester primers exclusively in my M-14 with no problems. Seating the primer to the proper depth and making sure the case is sized so it can freely enter the chamber are the two important factors regarding reloading to prevent slamfires/out of battery firing. Condition of the firearm is also of great importance.

Some people (and some reloading tool makers) claim Federal primers are more sensitive and could cause a problem. Other people use them and say they are fine.


Based on what I have read from other peoples reloading claims, I might be hesitant about Federal, but would basically use any of the commonly available primers in these rifles and worry more about my technique and the headspace of the rifle than primer sensitivity.
 
I also used Winchester primers, never had a problem..except that one time as mentioned above, not the primers fault...the problem was 14 inches behind the trigger:redface:
Bob
 
The M-305 has a floating firing pin, that's where the small indent on the primer comes from...so the thing "not" to do..is chamber a round manuely and let the bolt fly forward on the round..that's how to expirence a Slam Fire...I know!!!! not good:mad:
Bob


i never have chambered a round manually, but i discovered early that if you don't ''man handle'' the firearm, it doesnt load the bullet properly.

im force to agree with those who reminds us that the m14 is not a 308 rifle, but a 7.62 nato one...
 
Get a Primer Pocket Uniforming Tool for large rifle primers.
You'll. E surprised how much deeper the primers sit when the primer pocket is cut to SAAMMI specifications.
I prefer the RCBS tool
 
The dent you see is common with many, maybe most semi auto rifles.

You are wise to ask about it.

Feed from the mag and there is no problem. DO NOT use Federal primers. They are more sensitive. I have proven that myself - the hard way.

Winchester and CCI work well.
 
I forgot to mention the Primer Pocket uniforming thump_rrr brought up.

I uniform almost all my rifle brass and it does help with seating.

I bought the Sinclair International Uniformer for large rifle since it is machined from one piece. I had the Lyman but the collar that sets the max depth came off.

All my M14 and Garand brass is uniformed and most of my other large rifle is too.
 
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