Ammo Alert Armscor for $19.99

[butlersrangers]

USGI - I have not resized the fired Armscor cases yet.

I will resize a few and then measure them.

The slight cavity on the base of the Armscor jacketed bullets, likely gives a bit more space in the interior of the loaded rounds.

I don't believe I compressed the powder charge.

[USGI]

Is that a Hornady bullet on the left in Post #19? I've got (3) boxes of their #3017 bullets, can't remember if I've ever loaded any of them though. The one in your picture looks more like a plated lead bullet than an FMJ. I'll have to take a look at the ones I have. Thanks! - Bob

I saw the "bullet comparison" picture while viewing Post #16, but it's actually from Post #19 - Sorry about that!

[butlersrangers]

The ARMSCOR cartridge cases measured 1.284" to 1.288" in length, before 'firing'.

After 'firing', the brass measured 1.278" to 1.282" in length.

When F.L. Resized, with my Hornady Die, the cases measured 1.293" in length.

They have been trimmed to 1.290" length, with a RCBS hand-crank trimmer, and de-burred.

Case mouths have been slightly flared to accept a bullet base.

I was wrong on the brand of 110 grain RN jacketed projectiles, with exposed nose, that I photographed. They were made by Sierra, (#2100).
(I have several boxes of Hornady 100 grain projectiles, with 1/2 jackets, and got confused).

Attached photo shows trimmed & flared Armscor resized cases, (trimmed length 1.290").

Lightly inserted Bullets (L to R) are ARMSCOR 110 grain, Sierra 110 grain exposed RN, and 1/2 jacket - 100 grain Hornady.

[USGI]

The bullet diameter is .308 and length is .655". (Same as Hornady)

A couple days ago I checked (5) of my Armscor bullets and all were .655"-.657" but the Hornady FMJ #3017 measured about .670" which is longer than your Sierras. On that picture from Post #19, I didn't even see the lead nose on the Sierra bullet, but I see it now as well as the exposed lead at the back - and like you pointed out the Armscor bullet has somewhat of a cavity there.

Several years ago I pulled down a "new" LC-71 cartridge. The OAL was 1.677" and the bullet length was .674" weighing 106.9 grains. The powder charge was 13.1 grains of a very fine ball powder. I don't think the Gov't specs show the number for that powder, but WC-820 had been used for the Carbine and a lot of guys were lucky enough to buy it Surplus in bulk - I missed out on all of it.

I mentioned BVAC Carbine ammo earlier in this thread and I recently found notes showing that on the round I pulled down, the "brass" colored bullet measured .681" length and was 110.1 grains. The charge was 15.0 grains of ball powder that came nearly up to the bullet. The OAL was 1.653" so the bullet was in there pretty deep - possibly over .050" more than you would normally expect.

I just have a cheap Lee case trimmer and probably not as accurate as yours, so I try to trim down to around 1.287" knowing that some will be shorter and some longer. Just don't want to risk having them too long - and I use the harder military primers on all I've done so far. Keep up the good work. Those are fine groups for 50 yds! Have you decided on which powder you're going to use? - Bob

[butlersrangers]

'USGI' - I love the convenience of the Lee case-trimmers.
(I just use the old RCBS hand-crank model when I don't have the Lee shaft & holder for a cartridge).

I am planning on loading some .30 Carbine rounds in the coming week, using the 110 grain Sierra (exposed) RN bullet. I may also load a few rounds with 100 grain Hornady 1/2 jackets.

I will try two propellants that I have on the shelf: IMR-4227 and some old Hercules 2400.

[butlersrangers]

Any observations or guidance on the performance of IMR-4227 or Hercules 2400 in the .30 cal. M1 carbine?

[USGI]

I've never used the 2400, but have read that it works well - also had a Vietnam Vet friend that loaded a lot of Carbine ammo with it - think that was all he ever used. - Bob

[floydthecat]

The ARMSCOR cartridge cases measured 1.284" to 1.288" in length, before 'firing'.

After 'firing', the brass measured 1.278" to 1.282" in length.

When F.L. Resized, with my Hornady Die, the cases measured 1.293" in length.

They have been trimmed to 1.290" length, with a RCBS hand-crank trimmer, and de-burred.

Case mouths have been slightly flared to accept a bullet base.

I was wrong on the brand of 110 grain RN jacketed projectiles, with exposed nose, that I photographed. They were made by Sierra, (#2100).
(I have several boxes of Hornady 100 grain projectiles, with 1/2 jackets, and got confused).

Attached photo shows trimmed & flared Armscor resized cases, (trimmed length 1.290").

Lightly inserted Bullets (L to R) are ARMSCOR 110 grain, Sierra 110 grain exposed RN, and 1/2 jacket - 100 grain Hornady.

I don’t think anyone responded to this, but trimming them to 1.290 might be asking for trouble if your head space is close to 1.290?

If you have a tight chamber, anything could happen preventing full chambering of the round. Human error in trimming, dirty or fouled chamber…etc.

I like my head space to be a little loose….out around 1.295 or so. If your head space is tight, trimming the cases back into the 80’s is a safer bet.

SAAMI spec is head space of 1.290 and minimum case length 1.280. That’s in a perfect world.

[USGI]

I try to trim down to around 1.287" knowing that some will be shorter and some longer. Just don't want to risk having them too long - and I use the harder military primers on all I've done so far.

I was trying to make the same point in post #24 that floydthecat is telling us - he just did a better job of explaining the reason. - Bob

[butlersrangers]

I will shorten my "once fired/F.L. reformed" .30 carbine brass a bit more. Thanks for the cautions.
That is easy enough to do. It hasn't been reloaded yet.