M2 bullets

[Merc]

I’ve been using Hodgdon BL-C(2) which evidently isn’t the cleanest powder around although I can’t complain about the accuracy. Three of the four rifles I shoot are .30-06, the fourth is a .303 British.

[madsenshooter]

Fire your BL-C(2) with a magnum primer, or a CCI#34, which is milspec primer for 7.62 Nato designed to fire ball powder. I've used a lot of ball powders in 30-06, they are hard to ignite compared to stick powders. I'd often get little dents in the cases from unburnt powder falling into the chamber upon extraction of the case, then the next round chambering on top of that. Switching to magnums or #34s cleared that right up. Since you're getting sooty necks, your load is relative low pressure as is, so you shouldn't have to adjust the charge and work up again, just try a few to see how it goes. On the otherhand, you might already be using magnums or #34s. In that case, go a little higher with the charge.

[Merc]

Fire your BL-C(2) with a magnum primer, or a CCI#34, which is milspec primer for 7.62 Nato designed to fire ball powder. I've used a lot of ball powders in 30-06, they are hard to ignite compared to stick powders. I'd often get little dents in the cases from unburnt powder falling into the chamber upon extraction of the case, then the next round chambering on top of that. Switching to magnums or #34s cleared that right up. Since you're getting sooty necks, your load is relative low pressure as is, so you shouldn't have to adjust the charge and work up again, just try a few to see how it goes. On the otherhand, you might already be using magnums or #34s. In that case, go a little higher with the charge.

I’m using large rifle primers but will switch to magnum or #34 primers. I see Brownells carries the #34s.

I crimped 20 necks right in the center of the M2 crimp groove and went to the range today to see if there was any difference. No change. The BL-(2) is still depositing soot on the necks but all shots were accurately placed.