Reloading question for the M305 ... Primers and slam fires?

[sobo4303]

What press are you using.. A little trick I learned along the way is with the lee single stage press to prime on the hand prime then put the priming device on your press with not primers and when your about to seat the bullet push the case down (by moving the arm up) with some good force then go up and seat the bullet as per usual.. If they were not flush or below before they will be now

To each their own, but my personal preference is to exclusively seat the primers with a hand primer. Messing around with a primer and a casing full of powder is not advisable under any circumstances. That is why the presses and instruction are specific to ensure the primer is seated during the re-sizing operation or before the powder charge is delivered into the casing.

I find there is much more control and optimal safety. Each seated primer is automatically checked for correct depth and uniformity. I then add the powder charge and seat the bullets. I use magnum primers because I use Win 748 ball powder for my loads. The loads are set to the velocities prescribed by the US Military specs.

As for the issue of slam fires, I have not yet had a slam fire in over 500+ rounds I have reloaded for my M14. I frequently check the bolt and firing pin to ensure there are no obstructions and that it moves freely - I do this usually when I am cleaning the rifle. I always load from the magazine - a little trick Hungry advised at one of his clinics.

The M14 platform is sturdy and designed for a little abuse in unusual (battle) circumstances. Like any firearm, that means some TLC and diligence is required on the part of the owner to it operates as designed.

 

[Rocket Surgery]

lol this thread

The first sentence was where the problem started, but then someone just had to give bad reloading advice.

This is pretty basic stuff, make sure the primers are flush and not cratered into the priming pocket. If you're using LEE equipment and the primers are seating at a slight angle, turn the casing 180 degrees and push up on the handle again - it straightens them out.

I personally use the WLR and Fed210 primers. Never had a slamfire or FTF with either, mind you I like the 210's better because ammo looks stupid if the primer isn't shiny

 

[Tikka223]

"So I watched a video on the Internet"

Ha!

Unfortunately I don't have too many friends that are gun nutz so I have to turn to the World Wide Web for information. When I read or hear something I am skeptical of or want more information about, I will post and ask.

Thanks for all the replies, I'm not as alarmed as I was when I first posted.

 

[RememberTheSomme]

Alot of good info posted here already. Of course load from the mag, never into chamber and let her fly shut on it. The #34s or any milspec primer is great for sure, but any good quality, thick Large Rifle primer should do the trick as well. The hammer spring induced momentum on these rifles, seems to match the forceful op rod spring that bring everything into battery, just like the real McCoy's ensuring reliable chambering and primer ignition under adverse combat conditions.

Here's a minor tidbit I'll share from my own experiences. I have had two primer's pierced from the very healthy firing pin strikes when using S&B 147gr factory ammo, so I guess their primers are somewhat soft or thin or both, compared to mil-spec primers for the 7.62NATO. I'm not exactly sure how much gas can actually travel back through an M-14 bolt and escape down through the action/stock, but I didn't notice anything till I picked up my brass after range time. Just something else to be aware of, but not to worry about as it caused no problems this far for me. I'm sure I could de-tune my hammer spring strength for use with soft commercial primers as well.

 

[Rocket Surgery]

I can always tell my primer strikes, because I stabbed the firing pin with a screwdriver while trying to put my extractor back together <3

It always leaves a little dimple within the dimple

 

[NavyCuda]

With a Garand or M14, when you drop a single round into the chamber and then let the bolt FLY forward, yer #### WILL fall off (well, after the out of battery slam-fire, I mean)

Use a clip (enblock) or the magazine installed in place, then feed from the mag lips that way. Just hold on to yer dicks....

Cheers,
Barney

I must point out that it is possible to safely load a cartridge into the chamber and close the bolt on it.

Insert Cartridge into chamber. Grasping the charging handle, guide the bolt slowly until it is contacting the casehead. Using your palm, nudge the charging handle forward pushing the extractor over the rim and closing the bolt.