MG42 Loading Sequence

[drooling idiot]

test the loading sequence with these rounds, test the firing with empty primed shells handfed into the barrel.

[0321USMC]

You're kidding, right?
You paid someone a $1 each to drill a hole thru a cartridge and dump out the powder? I know, they explode if drilled improperly, so you left it up to an expert. And you shoot these things too?
Airsoft anyone?

[mksshoot]

What I have found that works very well in making dummy test rounds with live primers and no powder is to drill the bullet lenghtwise on center with a 1/16" or so drill bit ( I've drilled as far as .100 out ) an then seat the bullet to it's proper depth at the cannalure groove and then crimp the bullet with a collet type crimper. The rounds will then feed normally from the belt and if you do strike a primer hard enough to detonate it, the pressure will vent down the barrel without dislodging the bullet from the case. Typically I will only use each round only once especially if there is a mark on the primer from the firing pin. I then pull the bullets out and replace the primer if I need more tests like when fitting a new firing pin in a semi gun. PLEASE NOTE that when your through with your tests to THROW THE DRILLED BULLETS AWAY AND DON'T HAVE THEM LAYING AROUND TO GET MIXED UP WITH BULLETS YOU WOULD LOAD FOR LIVE ROUNDS!

[JBaum]

THROW THE DRILLED BULLETS AWAY AND DON'T HAVE THEM LAYING AROUND TO GET MIXED UP WITH BULLETS YOU WOULD LOAD FOR LIVE ROUNDS!

You mean throw the cartridges (brass) away, not the bullets, right? (I hope.)

[mksshoot]

I hope I didn't cause any confusion but what I have done with my primer test loads is to drill out the projectile itself and not the cartridge case,therefore no reason to throw way the brass. But for safety sake I wouldn't want anyone to mix a drilled projectile in with any intact projectiles and accidently load one up live! I should be more clear and careful when offering advice.

[JBaum]

Ahh, OK. I got it now. In effect, you make a hollow point bullet where the hollow point hole goes completely through to the powder area of the cartridge. Yup, that would serve the purpose.

[mksshoot]

Yes,that's it! Hopefully when I get off these goofy night shifts I'll quit procrastinating and order a couple of your manuals that I should have and I'll send one of these test rounds with the cashier's check.

[JBaum]

No need to send one - I have a reloading press and a drill press. Should the need arise, I think I'd make a few.

[noonxnoon]

as usual I am late for the party...

I got some great dummies from Brownell. No primer, all authentic weight.

I strongly recommend using a dummy round for all feeding practice. Even with dummy rounds, I munched up a few of them...thank goodness they weren't real rounds.

[anjongni]

Thanks to you guys for all the comments/encouragement. The inert rounds all fed and fired using the original f/p spring instead of the heavy one supplied by TNW. Trigger pull is quite acceptable. Nothing dislodged or exploded.
I actually had tried to end-drill a bullet in the lathe, but didn't feel that I could get it chucked exactly centred, since it's "ovoid" in every dimension. Now I know where to get them!
Here behind the lines, ammo can't be mailed or smuggled in, only purchased face to face after presenting d/l and thumbprint. It's also very expensive, so having a couple inert rounds made for $1 each shipped is cost effective. Ammo is a scarce recource; I'd like to save my (few) real ones for the range....Phil
Photo: Shot inert rounds. L: TNW spring. R: Stock German spring

[mksshoot]

When I center drilled my bullets in the lathe I used a 5C collet holder and an 8mm dia. 5C collet. The collet will center the bullet nicely as well as hold it tight, then put the collet holder in the lathe chuck and your drill chuck in the tail stock with a 1/16 drill bit and your all set. Works great!