Hi all,
Just purchased a Springfield M1A and was set to start reloading. I read the section about reloading for gas operated semis in the Sierra manual as well as the data listed in the Hornady manual for ".308 Winchester Service Rifle".
The Hornady loads are listed as having used "Winchester WLR" primers in their M1A test rifle, so thats what I used. Worked up some loads and headed for the range.
Shortly after getting there and setting up my gear, i started chatting with the the range officer. After admiring my new rifle he noticed I was using my own reloads. No problem but then he asked what components I used. As soon as i mentioned the Winchester primers he immediately forbade me from shooting anymore unless i had "mil-spec ammo or reloads that comformed to mil-spec".
Specifically he stated that the primers I used were dangerous in a gas operated semi auto rifle. He warned that using anything other then mil-spec primers was a guaranteed slam fire waiting to happen. Fair enough I thought, so i packed up my stuff headed home.
So now my questions. Should I not have used these primers despite being listed in the manual? Im fully aware of what a slam fire is, but my understanding was that it was caused by primers not fully seated in the primer cup, not from using non-mil spec primers. Am I wrong in this assertion? And if so, why would Hornady use Winchester primers in their test rifle (also an M1A)?
I did a lil' research on the net and now im afraid I'm even more confused. It seems like Im getting 50/50 answers to this one. Everything from "I've never used mil-spec primers ever in my M1A and have never had a problem" to "NEVER use non-mil spec primers or you WILL have a slam fire".
What are your guy's thoughts?
Just purchased a Springfield M1A and was set to start reloading. I read the section about reloading for gas operated semis in the Sierra manual as well as the data listed in the Hornady manual for ".308 Winchester Service Rifle".
The Hornady loads are listed as having used "Winchester WLR" primers in their M1A test rifle, so thats what I used. Worked up some loads and headed for the range.
Shortly after getting there and setting up my gear, i started chatting with the the range officer. After admiring my new rifle he noticed I was using my own reloads. No problem but then he asked what components I used. As soon as i mentioned the Winchester primers he immediately forbade me from shooting anymore unless i had "mil-spec ammo or reloads that comformed to mil-spec".
Specifically he stated that the primers I used were dangerous in a gas operated semi auto rifle. He warned that using anything other then mil-spec primers was a guaranteed slam fire waiting to happen. Fair enough I thought, so i packed up my stuff headed home.
So now my questions. Should I not have used these primers despite being listed in the manual? Im fully aware of what a slam fire is, but my understanding was that it was caused by primers not fully seated in the primer cup, not from using non-mil spec primers. Am I wrong in this assertion? And if so, why would Hornady use Winchester primers in their test rifle (also an M1A)?
I did a lil' research on the net and now im afraid I'm even more confused. It seems like Im getting 50/50 answers to this one. Everything from "I've never used mil-spec primers ever in my M1A and have never had a problem" to "NEVER use non-mil spec primers or you WILL have a slam fire".
What are your guy's thoughts?