Atomic .308 Ammo -- Please read!

[GGaskill]

Does anyone know what powder is in these? It sounds like it could be probably be safely re-used.


Probably could be used in light loads for cast bullets. I wouldn't use it for full power loads without knowing what it is.

[ORN197]

Resurrecting this thread...

I found another box of Atomic 308 in my ammo fort:



Headstamp is '10' '14' '7.62 x 51':



Has anyone had any experience with this stuff? I can't remember where I got it, or when... though the headstamp, and ink-stamp on the box would indicate it was made around October of 2014. It is advertised as new brass, so I'm guessing it shouldn't have the same resizing issues as the CMP-sold ammo in reloaded MIL cases. I have not yet dropped any of it a cartridge gage.

[DougS]

[QUOTE=ORN197;1765196]Resurrecting this thread...

I found another box of Atomic 308 in my ammo fort:



Headstamp is '10' '14' '7.62 x 51':



Has anyone had any experience with this stuff? I can't remember where I got it, or when... though the headstamp, and ink-stamp on the box would indicate it was made around October of 2014. It is advertised as new brass, so I'm guessing it shouldn't have the same resizing issues as the CMP-sold ammo in reloaded MIL cases. I have not yet dropped any of it a cartridge gage.[/QUOTE

Does the Atomic loads use this brass? This head stamp is from brass made in Bulgaria, http://arsenal-bg.com/ and the brass itself is sold by Natchez Shooters Supply and Graf & Sons.

https://www.natchezss.com/snake-rive...in-100-ct.html

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog...roductId/71105

Since I bought some of this brass and have not fired any of my loads in it yet, I'd like to know if the Atomic issues are linked to this head stamped brass as well.

[ORN197]

Originally Posted by Heavy Junk Operator

Complete junk.

You mean the Bulgarian brass?

[flyrod40]

Guys, I am not a reloader, but I have two cases of the CMP .308 Atomic. Because of this thread I bought the Sheridan gauge and so far after only checking 16 rounds, 11 of them have the end of the case protrude a little above the top of the gauge. All of the tall ones did not drop out easily. Some of the flush ones did drop out easily, but not all. I usually have to take my finger and push the round out.

I then used the gauge on some Federal 150 gr. SP deer loads and some Norma 150 gr. SP and all those rounds were flush with the top of the gauge and fell out easily.

Finally, I used the gauge on some 1980 7.62x51 M80 ball loaded by PMC and those all stuck up a little and did not drop out easily.

Could the issue be that the gauge is for .308 and the brass is 7.62x51?

I just tried some Men 2016 7.62x51 FMJ and it works fine in the gauge. I cannot figure it out.

Does it sound like all of the Atomic rounds are bad?

Thanks in advance,
George

[ORN197]

Originally Posted by flyrod40

Could the issue be that the gauge is for .308 and the brass is 7.62x51?

George,

Read through the sticky at the top of the Ammo section:http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=146769

This goes into some detail about the difference between the cartridges, vs the differences in the chamber dimensions.

The bottom line is that some amount of the Atomic .308 would appear to be, basically, out-of-specification.

The larger questions are why, and what can be done about it... which this thread covers.

I'm sitting on about 300 rds of this stuff; 200 from the CMP several years ago loaded into once-fired military brass, and another 100 purchased more recently loaded into new cases, apparently made overseas somewhere. I have checked some in an LE Wilson gage and found several to be too big; at this point, I'm not inclined to use any of this ammo. Now, there are plenty of folks who've used this stuff with apparently no issues, but I just don't know if I'm willing to risk expensive .308 M1 Garands and M1A's to find out if I'm one of the lucky ones. I would rather keep shooting ammo I have higher confidence in: factory LC and IMI 7.62, and factory Federal and PPU .308. As well my own reloads, which frankly I have more confidence in. I know exactly where the brass came from (because I shot it the first time), exactly how it was re-sized and dimensioned (because I did it myself) exactly what type and how much powder I've loaded (again, because I'm the one doing it).

[flyrod40]

Originally Posted by ORN197

George,

Read through the sticky at the top of the Ammo section:http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=146769

This goes into some detail about the difference between the cartridges, vs the differences in the chamber dimensions.

The bottom line is that some amount of the Atomic .308 would appear to be, basically, out-of-specification.

The larger questions are why, and what can be done about it... which this thread covers.

I'm sitting on about 300 rds of this stuff; 200 from the CMP several years ago loaded into once-fired military brass, and another 100 purchased more recently loaded into new cases, apparently made overseas somewhere. I have checked some in an LE Wilson gage and found several to be too big; at this point, I'm not inclined to use any of this ammo. Now, there are plenty of folks who've used this stuff with apparently no issues, but I just don't know if I'm willing to risk expensive .308 M1 Garands and M1A's to find out if I'm one of the lucky ones. I would rather keep shooting ammo I have higher confidence in: factory LC and IMI 7.62, and factory Federal and PPU .308. As well my own reloads, which frankly I have more confidence in. I know exactly where the brass came from (because I shot it the first time), exactly how it was re-sized and dimensioned (because I did it myself) exactly what type and how much powder I've loaded (again, because I'm the one doing it).

Sir, Thank you very much. I shall follow your advice and not use it. I did read the thread and think I understand it. It does not seem worth risking my good M1A.
Thanks again,
George

[Shomway]

Originally Posted by flyrod40

Sir, Thank you very much. I shall follow your advice and not use it. I did read the thread and think I understand it. It does not seem worth risking my good M1A.
Thanks again,
George

I learned my lesson and won't be using any more.
If you decided to pull the bullet and powder you might want to check this out. Purchased one and works extremely well. I have no connection!
https://grip-n-pull.com/

[Gunsling3r1988]

I was really considering getting some of their 260 grain 308s but after reading this I'm glad I didn't!

[eric_robin]

Any way to break this ammo down, resize the brass and reassemble? Not worth the effort? (Sell to a reloader?)