Congrats on the M1A, like you I picked one up recently and also will reload for it. I got lucky and laid my hands on a small quanity of #34s.
Like the other guys I have used primers other than the CCI military primers for autoloading rifles with mixed results.
back in the 90s when 7.62x39 went from $2 a box to $7 over night I hand loaded it. remington cases which used a small rifle primer with winchester small rifle primers.
yeah not such a good idea. bam bam BRAAPP. slam fire!
in my ar-15, which has a lighter fireing pin than the SYS i owned I have used CCI small rifle magnum primers with no problems.
Ballistically the #34 is the same as the CCI large rifle magnum. I have fired normal civie .308 through my m1a and not had a slam fire. the manual indicates match ammo should not be used do to sensitivity of the primer.
now here is my question. do you load pistol rounds that use large primers? if so what brand primers do you use?
I use winchester pistol primers (both sizes) and cci rifle primers, both sizes. CCIs are silver and winnies are gold. I know at a glance if its a pistol or rifle primer.
if I were you in this situation I would stay on the hunt and settle for cci large rifle magnum primers.
hey I did a little digging and came up with this! check it out:
http://www.alabamaservicerifleteam.com/id17.htmlhere is the exerpt:
Primers:
I also recommend the use of WW large rifle primers due the fact that they are almost as hard as mil spec. The CCI #34 is a mil spec primer but, it's a MAG primer as well and should be used with ball powder. Federal Gold Medal Match primers are very good primers but, some say they are are very soft and should not be used in a "M" gun due to the fact of SLAM FIRES!
also read that link for gasgun reloading.
I guess I won't pass up those large winchester rifle primers next time. which i had read that BEFORE the gun show this past weekend.