It will be interesting to see what others say, I don’t there is still plenty of air space left over and I’m not running them any harder than Military Match ammo does in 30.06, In my 7.62 rifle the case doesn’t hold enough of any powder to overpower/overwhelm the gas system.

Never needed a SB sizer either.

 

From a March 1986 NRA American Rifleman article.

I stay away from published maximum load data and don’t worry about 30-06 case capacity.

I agree with Phil, Never have needed a SB sizer.

 

I still need one but using a SB die if you have many of the same caliber rifles is a good idea if you don't keep cases separated by gun.
But unless you are at maximum charges I've never worried what cases I used. Now in theory in military cases you should get the same pressure with less powder because of the thicker brass, so I could see a few more rounds per pound in theory.

 

loading garand military brass - Search

 

get a chronograph

 

No SB Sizing for the M1, using almost exclusively HXP Brass. I’m only running lighter weight bullets out to around 2900 ft/sec so it’s a pretty anemic as far as recoil. Cycles great and accurate out to 200 yds on the SR Target. Plenty of case volume.

 

.30-06 Springfield Part 2 - Service Rifle Loads — Proven Reloads and Handloads

 

no and no

 

I don't change load weights from US made brass for the M1 Garand. (Nor do I for the Greek HXP).
All my sizing is full length.

 

I use a Lee full length sizing die and the M1 Garand section in the Hornady manual.

 

Could someone explain this, taken from the second attachment of post # 3;
"A velocity loss of approximately 100 fps can be expected unless muzzle is elevated between shots to create a "primer down" condition.
I discovered this on another forum, google searching;
IMR-4895 and H4895 are both position sensitive ( against the primer or against the bullet) in 30-06. Hand loading for Garand - AR15.COM.
Post # 11

 

Could someone explain this, taken from the second attachment of post # 3;
"A velocity loss of approximately 100 fps can be expected unless muzzle is elevated between shots to create a "primer down" condition.
I discovered this on another forum, google searching;
IMR-4895 and H4895 are both position sensitive ( against the primer or against the bullet) in 30-06. Hand loading for Garand - AR15.COM.
Post # 11

Reduced loads of ball powder do not completely fill the case. One school of thought is that there is a velocity difference whether the powder is resting on the primer or the bullet. Ball powder is double based and inherently harder to ignite, especially in cold temperatures.

Use stick powder in proper service rifle charges and you'll be fine. I reduce the charge 1/2 grain when using a military case.

 

When I started reloading waaaay back when, the “word” was to reduce charges 1 to 1 1/2 grain for Military cases. I’ve done that, and never had a problem.

 

And you are correct for "most" short action or mini-action calibers and some other military rifles. But for 30-06, there is little difference case to case for the size of the case and propellant being used, military or commercial. If shooting long distances in competitions, yes you separate by headstamp, then separate by weight and do the same with your bullets and carefully drop load weights and measure ogive distances to what your rifle likes to the lands but overall, there isn't much velocity differences from 30-06 military cases to commercial offerings. There sure is, depending on manufacturer in "some" 7.62x51, 5.56x45, and huge differences in older military 7mm, 8mm, 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R Vs new manufactured cases in these calibers.
When you cut back on the loads from commercial to military brass, all you did was chop your velocity without effecting the cycling of the rifle or POI out to 200yds+. A chronograph would show the velocity drop.
The adage was a safe way to go about reloading and especially if you didn't have a means to check muzzle velocities short of what the manuals state and we all know how the stated manual velocities are rather over-stated.

 

I don't pay attention to commercial vs surplus cases either.

I weighed a bunch of military and commercial brass one day trying to see what the differences might be (after resizing and trimming to length) and there were some commercial cases that weighed more than some military cases.

Not true with .308 commercial cases vs. 7.62X51 military cases though. I do reduce the powder charge for military cases for the M1A/FAL.

 

thanks all for the input/info!