Reloading Milsurp brass ? new venture for me, I'm open to comments

[Major 2]

I have a stash of once fired 30 06 Milsurp brass I am going to de-prime and wet tumble.
 I've actually never ventured into this, not sure if it's folly 
Lee Universal de-prime dye did not have the oomph to use my press to overcome the crimp.
So, I resorted to a hand pin punch and a homemade shell holder Dealie.
This setup works reasonably well. The Lee shell holder is for a handheld primer I had no other need for.
I JB welded it to the birch ply base for both a pocket for a spent primer to fall and to stabilize the contraption.
 The Brass is head stamped L C  and either 72 or 77, I'm of the opinion Lack City Arsenal and the years of manufacture.
I'm not sure as to what they were fired from, I'm assuming a Garand because they came with EM Block clips. Thay also dial indicator to the correct OAL so trimming may not be necessary ?

I ordered a pocket ream for the crimp removal, but note a countersink and cordless drill used on Utube 

Anyway, new venture for me,  I'm open to comments 

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy Major,

Never dealt with milsurp brass, but it sounds like you've got this handled.

Rev. Chase

[Drydock]

https://www.dillonprecision.com/s000277

[Advertising]

[Major 2]

Thanks, I would like a swage, but it seems something of a fool's error 
to buy a $140 tool to recycle 80 pieces of gifted brass.

better to toss it and buy new 

   

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy Again Major,

Lyman used to sell a primer pocket reamer that sounds cheaper than the swage. That might be the compromise that would make sense.

Rev. Chase

[Major 2]

I ordered a Lyman reamer off Amazon the other day....

I figure if it works have about $50 bucks of usable brass, if not no Biggy

[Crow Choker]

Huh? What kind of press are you using Major? I've deprimed and resized some Milspec 30/06 brass in the past using both a Lee Universal deprimer and using a normal 06 deprime/resize die and had no issues punching the primer out. FWIW I use a RCBS RockChucker press of 1976 vintage.

[Major 2]

CC my Lee Universal deprimer is in a old Lyman Spartan press,
I suppose I could use more force, but I fear I'd risk breaking the pin,
Sure wouldn't over tax the single stage press.

Besides smacking it with a hammer is kinda therapeutical 

Here is the 50 year old Brass fresh out of the tumbler and ready to size.

[Bunk]

you are right on track. That is Lake City brass very well made but GI brass has a slightly thicker base with slightly less internal volume for MG use so approach max loads carefully.
In High Power competition my "greatest battle instrument ever devised" used lots with some head stamps back to the 1940's.
Good stuff have fun.
Bunk

[Major 2]

I noted it is tough brass in the sizing step... but no worries I shoot reduced loads with Trailboss & lead.

[Trailrider]

One thing you may encounter with Milspec brass, especially if fired in an M-1 or BAR or MG, is the base may be expanded slightly, making full length resizing a bit more difficult. You can either try chambering a case in whatever .30-06 rifle you intend to use it in, or buy a special resizing die, or just muscle it, being sure to lube the case just forward of the head.  I've done that with TW-54 brass in the past, and it only needs to be done once unless you are shooting it in an M-1 rifle, in which case, if it chambers, you can probably not have to do it.  Oh, and I never used the special resizer, just the regular RCBS one.

The Milspec brass will have slightly less internal capacity than commercial, so you should probably back off the charge a grain or two. DO NOT use loads of slow-burning powders that are less than 10% of a full charge load, however.  48.5 gr of IMR 4895 or 48 gr. of IMR3031 works great in a Garand. IMR4065 is the slowest powder that should be used in the Garand. Always check the handbooks, regardless.

[Major 2]

Thank's for the tip...

I sized the ones you see above, and they chamber fine. (Lee 30 06 dies)
 My go to load in commercial brass is 12.9 grains of Trailboss under 165 grain hi-Tec coated Lead bullet,
I use it in my 03 Springfield and my Miroku 1895.
 I planned to use the same load with these ?

Photo was @ 50yds. off hand standing  (upper) ---- lower front bag rest & sitting


My Garand only see's commercial loaded PPU 30-06 Springfield 150-Grain FMJ ammo for the M1 Garand or similar.
 

[cpt dan blodgett]

Unless using GI brass load data remember max charge is 1.5 to 2 grains less than published.

[wildman1]

I use a hand held or small electric cordless drill for removing the crimp from milspec brass. a 55 degree taper on the bit does the best for me. Takes only a few turns of the bit to bevel the primer pocket. Cost is negligible.
wM1