[CLP]

I have preped 7.62X51 surplus using a small base 308 RCBS sizer die, primed with CCI #34 primers, will seat 147gr FMJBT(Winchester). I am going to make a lot af these but don't have time to test them in a 1919. My question is, will 44grs of 748 be sufficient to cycle the 1919. Want to stretch the powder but want it to work. I used to load for accuracy (M1A, FAL) but now I just need quanity.

Thanks, Ray

 

[kkkriverrats]

Probably

The short answer is more than likely it will work. see below for the long answer

My Winchester product manual says that the recommended load for your combination is 45.2 gns of 748 the fine print says "DO NOT REDUCE CHARGE WEIGHT MORE THAN 10% OR CHANGE COMPONENTS" reducing this load 10% would result in a charge weight of 40.7 gns.

Since you are using military cases, the conventional wisdom is to reduce charge weight between 5 and 10 % your load (44 ) gns represents 97% of the load listed 3% isn't much of a margin. I don't reload 7.62X51 but I think I would be down around 43 gns (95% of the listed load) to start. But since you are not able to function test the ammo there are no guarantees.

The 1919 was designed to function under adverse conditions hot, dirty, etc. and since it is recoil operated it is not sensitive to gas port pressure like a M1, or its younger brother M1A. I would suspect that the design allowed for some reduction in recoil and still being able to function reliably.

None of this speaks to the host of variables, condition of weapon, lubrication, hand loading technique, on and on.

I only had one question,. Why small base dies?

 

[CLP]

Thanks for that answer. I just needed verification. RCBS recomends SB dies for reloading in auto's.

 

[Shattered]

CLP, you really should just load up a handfull and test with a Chrony at the same time. It would be a bummer to load up the lot and have it not right.

You're on the right track with the small base dies, too. The small base dies work the brass a bit more, but all the full auto guys that I know that reload use them, however most also use Dillon dies.

Nothing wrong with the RCBS, just enjoy the extra features Dillon had years ago.

I've got six 5 gallon buckets of 308 all resized, polished and reprimed, waiting for me to get off my butt and finish the 45's that the 550 is set up on now. All the 308 projos are double cannalure tracer... 8000 that I bought from JLM in New England. Going to load them hot hoping most will work, but if they don't... ehhh. It'll still go bang.

Good luck

 

[mt-ac]

Small Base Dies

I asked the techs at Dillon and was told all their dies are cut to small base die dimensions. Each chamber is unique, and the first was was cut to the tightest dimensions and of of the last one to the greatest tolerances before the cutter is retired. Because I often don't know what rifle (or whose rifle) I'll be shooting my reloads in I use small base dies for all the common calibers.
Excellent response and explanation from kkkriver.