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11/7/2006 7:02:36 PM EDT
Hey guys,

I've heard that the H&K style rifles have a fluted chamber. Does the FAL have a fluted chamber? Are there
any other issues that may reduce brass life? I was leaning towards an H&K style rifle, but I'd like to be able
to get more than 1 or 2 reloads out of each case. Anybody got any estimates on case life with an FAL?

Thanks.

Sam
11/8/2006 7:11:36 AM EDT
[#1]
No, FAL's do not have a fluted chamber. All semi-autos are hard on brass, so you won't be getting 10+ reloads for brass. I haven't started loading for my FAL, but I've been hearing people getting 3 reloads. Obviously, this depends on the brass being used and the rifle's headspace. Surplus brass usually fares better.
11/9/2006 7:00:25 AM EDT
[#2]
I get at least five times out of my brass with my FAL. I'm using H335 powder.
11/11/2006 12:46:50 PM EDT
[#3]
I can't get more than 3 loads on mine.  They are not high pressure but the brass just gets stretched too much.  I have tried pretty much everything to reduce that but it just takes to much of a beating.  I'd prefer to retire it early than get seperations.

(Yes the headspace has been checked and it's actually extreamly tight so something else is causing the stretch).


ETA: I usually use Varget for .308 and heavy .223 loads.
11/11/2006 1:44:13 PM EDT
[#4]
Alright, I'm waffling badly now. It sounds like the life of the brass is about the same between the
H&K and the FAL. *shrug* I like the looks of the H&K better, but I hate buying anything based solely
on it's aesthetic value. Oh well, I guess it's time to do some more research.

Thanks.

Sam
11/12/2006 1:37:54 AM EDT
[#5]
I don't mess with reloads much in the H&K, I usually shoot the berdan primed stuff then recycle it.

When I do reload for it (over the FAL and M1A) it's usually brass on it's last pass through the system (third time for me (semi-autos are pretty hard on brass)).

The fluted chamber just works the brass too much to consider using afterwards.
11/13/2006 10:52:44 AM EDT
[#6]
You can reload for the Hk, the chamber flutes are mainly a cosmetic issue. Also the brass needs way more tumbling time to clean up compared to a FAL, but thats about it. And in general use the thickest brass you can find for semi-autos (Lake city etc) since it will hold up better. I typically have gotten 5-6 reloads out of brass for my HK's before I chucked the lot (you will loose alot of brass with an HK due to the orbital ejection trajectory)
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