SFC Lance Dement featured in CMP First Shot Online. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s (USAMU) Facebook Page has published an excellent series of “how-tos” on reloading. This post discusses the key factors to be considered when loading ammunition for Match Rifles or Service Rifles. It focuses on “gas guns” that self-load. Visit the USAMU’s Facebook page regularly for more helpful reloading tips and marksmanship advice. We offer a few “cardinal rules” for new gas-gun handloaders to ensure safety and efficiency. These rules apply to both the Match Rifle and Service Rifle AR15, M1 Garands, M1As, and M110. They can also be used to improve the safe reloading of many other auto-loaders, such as M1 Carbines and FALs. The author developed these principles years ago to focus on the most important aspects of these rifles. RULE ONE: Service Rifles Are Not Benchrest Rifles
Gas-guns need a looser fit between the ammunition and chamber than bolt actions for smooth, safe operation. In the world of extreme bolt gun accuracy, many techniques are used, such as neck-sizing and keeping the cartridge headspace tight. They are not useful with Service Rifles and some of them could even be dangerous. Consider carefully whether a technique is suitable and beneficial for a gas-gun before adopting it. RULE 2: Never compromise safety to achieve accuracy
Don’t choose a brand that offers better accuracy, but also a higher risk of slam fires with your rifle design. You get exactly two eyes and 10 fingers (best case scenario). You can’t risk them to get 0.25 MOA more accuracy from an M1A. It’s not worth it. Rule Three: Customize the precision to your individual skill and your rifle’s potential
It is worth repeating, especially for newcomers. If you’re struggling to get out of the Marksman Class or are using a CMP “As Issued,” then turning the necks on your 600-yard brass will be a waste of valuable time. Dry-firing or practicing will help you improve your scores much faster. If the reigning champions are constantly checking your scores, it might not be too far-fetched to turn a few heads. Verifying Load Improving Techniques — Hand-loading accuracy involves a variety of techniques ranging from the basic to very precise. Select those that offer a good return for your time and effort. In doubt? Do a classic study. Prepare ammo to shoot at least three or even four ten-shot groupings with your new technique compared to your standard ammo. Choose a calm, sunny day to test the ammo at its maximum distance. To verify a significant increase, test the ammo at 200, 300 or 600 yards. Little testing can save a lot of labor!
This video explains how to order an M1 Garand. Rule Four: Be Your Own Expert in Efficiency
Serious Service Rifle Shooters tend to think of ammunition as thousands of rounds rather than “boxes” or “hundreds”. Write down and analyze each step of your reloading procedure. Count how many times each case has been handled. Next, determine if you can eliminate or change any operations without compromising safety or accuracy. Just two operations can save 2000 steps for every 1000 rounds loaded. Consider any measurable benefit before adding another step to your routine. RULE FIVE – If you want to improve accuracy and efficiency, look for system changes.
Would a simple change of primers, for example, work instead of marking 300-yard rounds separately to differentiate them from 200-yard ammo? If accuracy is maintained using silver primers for 300 and brass primers for 200 provides an indelible marker and eliminates a whole step! Consider splurging a little on imported match brass rather than spending hours comparing GI surplus brass to ensure neck uniformity and weight. Brass life should be extended, as there is limited shooting at 600 yards. Check all your primers before packaging your loaded ammo
This seems obvious and intuitive. Many slam-fires, which were more common when M1s or M1As were standard, are at least partially due to “high” primers. The primers should be seated flush with the casehead. The USAMU has discussed this extensively in a previous article, but it is important to check each round for properly-seated primers prior to packaging.
