Neck size only for M14s/305

RememberTheSomme

RememberTheSomme

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Guys I read alot here from experienced handloaders that have put alot of rounds through their M14's with only neck sizing. I know the benefits this insures to a handloader regarding case life, perfect fireformed case for accuracy inhancements and all the things that go with the neck only sizing. I have no experience yet on handloading for the M-14.
I'm old school on autos regarding Full lenght sizing and even use SB dies for my Rem 7400 .30'06.

I know this reduces case life tremendously, but I also know I should never get an out of battery firing from case sizing issues, as long as everything else is correct.

With a bolt or a lever or a pump, the shooter can tell when hes got sizing causing chambering problems. A Semi can partially chamber a round that would not close on a Go Gauge because of a combination of cleaning issues while firing multiple rounds on the range during a match and partially closed bolt, and still be able to fire it. For those who need to see out of battery firing on a M-14 just chamber a snap cap by riding the action closed. The bolt is rotated maybe 65% into battery but it will still fire, or at least mine will.
Here's my two questions;

1. Is this a common trait with the M-14S/305 or do all your M-14 Rifles have to be "Fully In Battery", to fire?

2. How do you guys who only neck size for the M-14 ensure you will not ever get out of battery firing if your Rifle is like mine(test chamber each round before firing maybe??) and the resulting consequences of at the least a wrote off Rifle?:canadaFlag:
 
I only neck sized my USGI M14's that I shot in competition. Never bothered chambering to test because that specific brass was fired only in THAT M14 (I only could afford ONE USGI M14 at one time).

Firing out of battery ? I'm outta my league on this one. All I know is I just feed from the magazine and everything works well. Good enough for me. Loading from the magazine is the best way of preventing slam fires! It's a well documented issue on the Internet. :D

Cheers,
Barney
 
I know nothing about m-14 or m-16s or whatever, but if you do not full length resize ammo used in a semi, pump, or lever, you will have problems down the road, i hope it's not on the most important shot of your life!
 
The m305 is an odd rifle in that necksizing seems to work well. Someone wrote about this and I decided to try it, and haven't had any issues. I think it was Mystic Precision, but I can't remember.
 
It seems that everybody is very lucky with their rifles but full length size is recommend in all reloading manuals for lever, pump and semi auto actions because they do have a strong camming action like a bolt action.

Also neck sizing in done so avoid working the brass but a maximum of 4 reloads is recommended for M1 Garand and M14 type rifles.

We're in a free country so do as you wish but Sierra, Lyman, Hornady and Nosler can't be all wrong at the same time on this issue.

Alex
 
"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."

Read this
http://ww w.m14.ca/reloading/14_loading.pdf​
 
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resizing for semi-autos

I necksize only for my M-14 and Rem Mod.81 .300 Savage. Not possible on a Remigton 7600. It depends on the lock-up and timing of the action.
 
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