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full length sizing surplus 7.62x51 brass

rawhide54
I've been led to understand it requires a special kind of full-length sizing die to bring surplus 7.62x.51 brass that has been fired in a machine gun back fully into spec for rifles.

I'm currently using Lee dies and Lake City surplus brass. My loads works fine in my FAL but won't chamber in my M1A. I'm sizing them all the way down tight against the shell holder. I bought the brass in a lot of 500 from Midway some time ago and they implied it had been fired in machine guns.

Any thoughts or recommendations? The M1A has already been looked at and is all correct so it has to be my loading.
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • HARO
    Rawhide, Are you using a SMALL BASE sizing die? Had similar problem years ago. small base die solved it.
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  • rawhide54
    Thanks!!!

    I'll order one tomorrow and try that.
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  • armilite
    Small base dies are not recommended if you use a progressive or turret type press.
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  • colt423
    i found this same problem in a uncles spring field armory mia manf. late 80s. Talked to smith who built mine, he said springfield leaves chambers tight.He hones his rifles chambers to allow for variance of nato manufactures.Problrm was corrected buy small base dies.Later had chamber honed and used regular dies to this day on all kinda of brass.Either way works. So feel at ease, the small base dies will work. And the reason your fal doesnt have this problem.
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  • dcs shooters
    A small base die is what you need. I have used them for about 30yrs. now for my M1A and Garand in my turret press. Just use good lube [;)]
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  • jonk
    Maybe it's just me... but I've bought and shot a lot of surplus brass and never needed a small base die.

    Can't hurt to have, but I'd try a regular resizing and load with a dummy round to see if it chambers first before buying anything new. Each gun is different.
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  • rawhide54
    Great information!

    Thanks all!!!
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