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Thread: m1 garand brass use in 30-06

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    m1 garand brass use in 30-06

    You always hear people talking about loading 30-06 commercial brass for the m1 garand but what about the other way around? i traded some 7 mag brass for some hxp 77 m1 garand brass and i want to load it for my 30-06 auto for hunting with cast bullets. can this be done? is it compatible? what problems might i run into?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    The HXP brass is great stuff and very durable. Removing the light 'stab' primer pocket crimp is much easier than on USGI brass and some folks just process them like normal civilian brass.
    In the interest of consistency, make sure you've sorted for HXP 77 as (I think) there can be a different extractor groove on HXP 78 and up?

    But overall it is some of the best bulk brass out there.

    Edit: you might want to keep in mind that it may have been shot in a relatively loose milsurp chamber - PLUS batches of HXP77 has been known for being 'long' at the shoulder to start with.
    So make sure you've got a good full-length resize and when you go to the range, test each handload from your first batch for chambering as your auto may not have enough camming power to fully close on an oversize cartridge.
    Last edited by Kestrel4k; 08-10-2017 at 04:28 PM.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Use a Wilson case gage and 100% inspect all brass. FL resize and trim if necessary.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
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    My experience has been that the HXP brass is similar to commercial in that it is soft..nothing wrong with it... just soft in comparision to US militaty brass..

    It will show a lot more use from firing than say LC brass...especially the rims....

    My suggestion is if you shoot a lot use the HXP, it's easier to come by and cheaper...if your M1 is a second choice shooter, go for the US Mil. cases...

    My LC rims looks better after 8 loadings than the HXP's do after 3...My experience...

    BTW both shoot the same ..accuracy wise

    Enjoy ....Dan

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    It's good brass process as any other brass IMHO.
    I run it in my garand and bolt guns.
    I have several hundred 1972 head stamps I have just for my bolt gun. I FL resize fire it in the bolt gun then just neck size.
    The HXP does get a bit more beat up in the M1 vs LC

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

    NuJudge's Avatar
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    I would echo that it is a bit soft. That softness may give you some trouble in a manually operated rifle, but should give you none in a semi-auto. The first year the HXP was used in the Garand match at Camp Perry, most shooters left it laying there. I picked up some 1100 cases. The extraction grooves on all 1100 were intact (not torn through by an extractor), and no split necks. With subsequent firings, still no trouble.

    I have saved a round in the Springfield match using once-fired HXP brass. I just could not get that bolt handle up.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master




    Scharfschuetze's Avatar
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    I use the HXP brass in the 303 with good results. I've heard that it is actually made in the USA. Does anyone know where it was made, either for the 303 or the Ought-Six?
    Keep your powder dry,

    Scharf

  8. #8
    Boolit Master Jack Stanley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scharfschuetze View Post
    I use the HXP brass in the 303 with good results. I've heard that it is actually made in the USA. Does anyone know where it was made, either for the 303 or the Ought-Six?
    I hadn't heard that and I don't know either way . I do have some military cases for the 303 marked WCC 81 but the primer crimp is different than the HXP marked . Hope that is some help .

    Jack
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  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master

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    HXP is good stuff. FL resize and gauge the cases. Otherwise GTG

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I love HXP brass. AllI use in the '03.

    Shiloh
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  11. #11
    Boolit Master

    NuJudge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scharfschuetze View Post
    I use the HXP brass in the 303 with good results. I've heard that it is actually made in the USA. Does anyone know where it was made, either for the 303 or the Ought-Six?
    Ammunition with HXP brass was made in Greece. Some links:
    http://cartridgecollectors.org/?page=headstampcodes
    http://www.army-guide.com/eng/firm567.html
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrkal
    https://www.eas.gr/en/52/our-company
    http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=23653

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    It should be fine. I've used a lot of 06' GI brass. I even converted some to .280 Rem for my match rifle back when I couldn't afford to buy .280 brass, actually it was still called 7mm Express at that time but finding either in bulk inexpensively was nearly impossible.

    I currently use both GI and commercial brass in my Garand but not mixed. Not that you couldn't I'm just picky in that way I very rarely mix head stamps in anything.

    Motor

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master


    Larry Gibson's Avatar
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    Use an RCBS X-Die to FL size. You won't have to trim and cases will give many firings.
    Larry Gibson

    “Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
    ― Nikola Tesla

  14. #14
    Boolit Bub
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    I use lc

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check