Reloading for Military Semi-Auto

[Geilt]

I was wondering how important it is to use military spec primers when reloading for military semi-autos. CCI's website seems to make a big deal of it but it could also be marketing hype.

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=3&pg=10&prod_id=30

[GreenWolf]

Since CCI manufactures and sells mil-spec primers, it's no wonder that they make a big deal about them.

I bought 5000 of them, but I know that I didn't "need" them. I just wanted them. The advantage of "mil-spec" primers is that they are harder than "regular" primers. If you are reloading for a rifle that has a chance of slam-firing a round, a harder primer might help. I heard the SKS can do this, and even an M14/M1A. If you have a milspec rifle, designed to use mil-spec ammo with mil-spec primers, CCI's mil-spec primers are the way to go. I wanted to load some "mil-spec" ammo, or at least something that is as close as I could get.

But consider also that people shoot their SKS and M1A all day long with "commercial" ammo without a problem. People reload for the M1A and AR15 without resorting to using "mil-spec" primers.

[bataanboy]

Thanks for the post and link. I had no idea there would be a mil-spec primer, but it does make sense. Another consideration for me when I start reloading. Is it also possible to puncture non mil-spec primers with a military firing pin? Are the firing pins in NATO rifle a little longer to assure reliable firing in most conditions?

[halfmoa]

According to Nosler, CCI NATO primers are harder cupped and they are the same as Large Rifle Magnum primers in intensity. This is definately something to keep in mind when you are reloading. I use the CCI #34 NATO primers in all of my Large Rifle Primer applications.
Jim

[okie shooter]

I dont see an nsn on the item, but there maybe one, but I imagine there is an specification and they do have half of a dodic, m115, I might have to look this up and see if there is an nsn and is actually a us army mil spec.

[cimmaronkid]

Is it also possible to puncture non mil-spec primers with a military firing pin? Are the firing pins in NATO rifle a little longer to assure reliable firing in most conditions?

The main reason for the milspec primer is that they are used in cartridges for guns that have a "free floating" firing pin, that is a firing pin that is not held back by a spring which might cause a slam fire with a regular primer that does not have the hard cup. They also burn hotter in order to make sure that the powder ignites as it should. A military firing pin will not punch a hole in a commerical non milspec primer unless the pin is too long(way long) but then it will probably punch a hole in the milspec primer as well.

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I use regular Winchester LR for magnums in all of my mil-surp semis and have not had a problem.

But like cimmaronkid mentioned free floating firing pins have always been a concern.

Incidentally, I shop a lot of stores in north Phoenix and Prescott since I live 1/2 way in between and all of the stores I shop are constantly out of the CCI military white boxed primers. I see a lot of the internet sites are often out of them also. That is another reason I decided to opt for regular primers.

BTW, this idiot has a question: is the CETME firing pin considerd a floater?

[XO3319]

I've used CCI and WInchester Large Rifle Primers in all of my .30-06, 7.62x51 and 303 reloads with no slam fire issues, but I also have 5k of the CCI milspec for future use because the price was right

slam fires don't happen often but they can happen

[XO3319]

THe CETME firing pin is not free floating

[Jacobite]

I have never used mil spec primers for my M1 Garand or AR15

[NavajoNPaleFace]

THe CETME firing pin is not free floating

I didn't think so.


Thank you for the response.

[Seattlefungus]

Free floating type firing pin rifles are rifles that the firing pin slides unencumbered in the bolt and could reach the primer of a cartridge without the hammer hitting the firing pin... The CETME firing pin cannot reach the primer until the bolt rollers have fully locked the bolt in battery.
Rifles like the M1, M1 Carbine, M14, M16. All have at least one story about a slam fire (Where the bolt slamming home actually fires a round). or a rifle in battery being dropped and going off...