Reloading Question-CMP Greek HXP Brass

[offthepaper]

I'm making up some loads for a New Fulton Armory M1 Garand. My intended load will be .308 168gr HPBT Sierra MK's behind 47gr of IMR4895 w/CCI# 200 LRP. I will be using some once-fired Greek HXP brass from the CMP I saved after shooting the ammo. My question is should I be dropping down in my powder charge due to using the HXP ( military?) brass?
Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[loadedround]

I have found that the Greek militay brass to be slightly thicker than our GI 30-06 brass, but did not measure internal capacity of either. I had sectioned and measured the thickness of each case. So from my limited experience, I would suggest you begin at the suggested starting load and work up watching for the obvious pressure signs.

 

[Tim the student]

I haven't directly measured the volume of HXP compared to commercial brass, but I have weighed commercial vs HXP (after being sized and trimmed to the same length). It was generally always a bit heavier than the commercial that I had. It was Federal, IIRC.

I was just curious about it, and I was not as thorough as I could have been, so take it with a grain of salt.

I also noticed a fair amount if variation in the weight of the HXP, independent of headstamp. Most were around 188 grains, but some dropped down to around 175 grains, and some went up to almost 200 grains.

Yes, I was bored that day.

How do you know that load will shoot well in your gun?

 

[offthepaper]

How do you know that load will shoot well in your gun?

It's a new rifle, sos I'm just starting to find my best load. I've found several sorces suggesting such as a premium match load. Most shooters have suggested between 46.5gr - 47.5gr of IMR 4895 for for the SMK 168gr. I'm not sure if they were refering to commercial brass or Military brass though. I'm thinking I might drop 1-1.5gr for the thicker brass.
What do you think?









http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/matchgrade-3006

 

[ol' scratch]

I might start a little lower and work up, looking for pressure signs. Hornady's reloading book has a section specifically for the M1. The starting load was 39.8 grains while running 168 grain bullets and running H4895. Using Greek brass and a standard plug, I couldn't get the rifle to cycle with the starting load.

EDIT: I just read you are using IMR4895. The starting load is 39.6 grains.

 

[george d dennis]

i have reloaded that hxp brass 5 times already.
150 gr fmj bt
imr 4895- 47.0 gr
cci- lrg rifle primers.

this load shoots great in all 3 of my garands.
please check your reloading manual.
i have not tried the 168s yet
george

 

[Tim the student]

What do you think?

I think you should work up from the starting loads, and figure out what your gun likes, and is safe with. There is a chance those loads may be unsafe in your gun. It may shoot those loads very well, but it may shoot others better. You won't know until/unless you try.

 

[offthepaper]

How do you know that load will shoot well in your gun?

It's a new rifle, sos I'm just starting to find my best load. I've found several sorces suggesting such as a premium match load. Most shooters have suggested between 46.5gr - 47.5gr of IMR 4895 for for the SMK 168gr. I'm not sure if they were refering to commercial brass or Military brass though. I'm thinking I might drop 1-1.5gr for the thicker brass.
What do you think?









http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/matchgrade-3006

 

[USSR]

Since the axiom is that you reduce .308 loads when using 7.62x51 military brass, which DOES have a reduced case capacity, guys ASSUME that the same thing carries over to commercial and military .30-06 brass. It does not. Your 47.0gr load of IMR4895 with a 168gr bullet is perfectly safe in the HXP brass.

Don

 

[fractal7]

I have reloaded HXP for a Garand with IMR 4895 and 168 HPBT Matchkings with no problems. 39.6 seems a bit low to start out with, I don't have my notes with me right now but I believe I started out with 44gr loads and worked up in 1/2 gr increments to 47 with good results.