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Thread: Primer choice for M1 Garand?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master hc18flyer's Avatar
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    Primer choice for M1 Garand?

    I have been unable to find CCI #34 primers, so I will have to work with what I have. I have current Win and CCI large rifle, and some older CCI Bench Rest and Federal Match primers, which should I use for a few hunting loads?
    Thanks, hc18flyer

  2. #2
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    Either one would be fine.
    I never had any problems with Win LR in mine, and always have a bunch on hand from repeat buys.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    I only use Win LR in my Garand-- but that's just because they are what I could buy. They work fine. Haven't tried the others.
    Hick: Iron sights!

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    +1 on Winchester WLR in the Garand and M1A.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    Any EXCEPT the Federal!
    Both me and my older brother experienced slam fires , 3 decades apart. In both instances , Federal primers were part of the accident chain.
    Also, never drop the bolt on a partially chambered round. Always use a clip, either a single shot adapter or two shot adapter .
    If you must chamber a single round manually , do so by slowly closing the bolt, and bump the bolt closed by pushing the bolt closed with the heel of your hand.
    We both got lucky, the actions weren’t destroyed by the out of battery firing . My stock was shattered. Locking lug recess was chipped.
    I only use the CCI large rifle or #34 primers.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    NO Federals!!!!!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

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    Have not had any problems with Wolf.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    Before I knew any better I used a bunch of Federal primers and never had an issue. Due to shortages I have recently used a bunch more without any issue. I do load from a SLED or std clip and never let the bold slam on a cartridge in the chamber.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

    dale2242's Avatar
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    I have used CCI standard LRPs for years with no issues.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master RU shooter's Avatar
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    Same here standard CCI and winchesters never had an issue
    If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
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    +1 on not using federal, and charlie b, I shot hundreds successfully before I experienced my slam fire

  12. #12
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    I use CCI large rifle primers. No problems.

    DG

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy Stewbaby's Avatar
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    Another vote for CCI 200

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by cosmoline one View Post
    +1 on not using federal, and charlie b, I shot hundreds successfully before I experienced my slam fire
    I am over 1000 so far.

  15. #15
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    Larry Gibson's Avatar
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    I mostly used WLRs in thousands of 7.62 and 30-06 match loads for M1A/M14s and M1s. Also used a lot of CCI and federals. "No federals"?????? What do you thing is the primer in Federal match 308W ammo? They work fine. Any problems from slam fires is one of "reloader error" (not seating the primer completely), too light a trigger job or a defective weapon. Most often the first two.......
    Larry Gibson

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

  16. #16
    Boolit Master hc18flyer's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone! I loaded some starting loads last night using Winchester LRP's , 46 and 46.5 grains of IMR 4895, under Hornady 150 grain soft points, in 78 Greek surplus brass. The primers sit down below the case. We will chrono them and see where we are at? hc18flyer

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    just worked up a good cast boolit load for mine. 200 grain noe sized .311 (VERY pointy bullet) over 35 grains of imr4895. cycles the action reliably and no problems hitting a 7x10 steel plate at 200 meters. happy days!
    one nice thing about the garand is the feed angle - the rounds feed into the chamber in nearly a straight line, which puts very little stress on the boolit as it enters. not a big deal with jacketed ammo, but a factor with cast. I have a DSA FAL that feeds at such a steep angle, it will sometimes deform the tips of cast rounds (no problem with jacketed).
    and to think John Garand gave this design to the US government in appreciation for being allowed to be a US citizen. the rioters (sorry "protestors") could learn from him.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master



    TNsailorman's Avatar
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    I have to agree with Larry. I have been using Federal primers in my Garand for years with no problems. I started using the Federals because they were much easier to find in my area than Winchester or CCI. My opinion on this is that if you have a slam fire in a Garand, you either have high seated primer or the rifle is worn and needs fixing. The Garand was designed to not slam fire and if all the components of the action are in spec and if proper ammo is used, it will not. I am old enough to have carried one when I first enlisted and I have never seen a Garand slam fire. my experience anyway, james

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy Nick Adams's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Der Gebirgsjager View Post
    I use CCI large rifle primers. No problems.
    Agree.

    If I can't source the CCI's Mil-7.62 #34s, their Large Rifle primers also work fine.

    That said, several local reloading/primer experts at my range have advised that CCI LR Magnum primers are essentially the same as their #34s.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    May be a little OT so if the mods wish to move it ok. Anyone ever notice that different brands of primers are more popular in different parts of the country. Here in Louisiana Winchester's are more popular than others. While I haven't been to gunshows in quite awhile Remington's were more popular in NY and Winchesters a second place. I do use CCI 250 mag primers in my '06 jacketed rifle loads, and just use regular Winchesters for my Garand. Some may question my use of the mag primers in the '06 but am using IMR 4350. In fact my use of IMR 4350 and mag primers in at least 4 Winchester match rifles, one standard M70 and a Sako 75 Hunter has proven to me that it helps accuracy a lot. 168 gr SMK's and 165 Nosler ballistic tips. Frank

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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