Garand cast load with LEE 230

[TedH]

I have the LEE 230 gr. 30 cal mold. It's a peach in my 300 Blackout, and I'd like to try it in my Garand. I put a dummy round together, and it freely chambers, and will function with the clips. I searched this site, and others, but haven't found much as far as other's experiences. I was thinking of starting off with 28 gr. of IMR 4895, and easing up till I had a load that would function the action. If anyone has any better ideas, I'd appreciate hearing them.

[jcren]

I have ran a few of those over 28 of imr4895 in a bolt action. I have since been playing with unique for reduced loads, but the accuracy of the 10 tumble lubed/gas checked ones I tried was a little over an inch at 75 yards. I just crimped aluminum checks on em because I thought the stick powder may damage the bases, but didn't try them without. Unique in 10-12 grains is a lovely 1300-1400+ training load btw.

[rondog]

I use 27.5gr of IMR4895 with 150gr FMJ's to replicate standard M2 ball. Wouldn't 28gr be waaaay too hot for 230gr lead bullets?

[fatelvis]

I use 27.5gr of IMR4895 with 150gr FMJ's to replicate standard M2 ball. Wouldn't 28gr be waaaay too hot for 230gr lead bullets?
Using a 220grn boolit as a model on Quickload, 28grns of IMR4895 only produces 12,925 psi pressure and 1502fps velocity. This is still very low, even considering that we are dealing with the Garand's relatively fragile op rod. It's a good place to start when looking for accuracy, and the ability to operate the action. It seems to me that the lower you can stay with your pressure/velocity, but still be able to operate the action, the better groups your Garand will shoot. Some wise fellow on this board calls it a "balancing act". Lol

[TedH]

I use 27.5gr of IMR4895 with 150gr FMJ's to replicate standard M2 ball. Wouldn't 28gr be waaaay too hot for 230gr lead bullets?

I do believe you are not recalling your load correctly. I use 46.0 gr of IMR4895 with jacketed 150's in my Garand, and that's a fairly mild load.

[TedH]

Using a 220grn boolit as a model on Quickload, 28grns of IMR4895 only produces 12,925 psi pressure and 1502fps velocity. This is still very low, even considering that we are dealing with the Garand's relatively fragile op rod. It's a good place to start when looking for accuracy, and the ability to operate the action. It seems to me that the lower you can stay with your pressure/velocity, but still be able to operate the action, the better groups your Garand will shoot. Some wise fellow on this board calls it a "balancing act". Lol

Thanks, I think that's where I'll start.

[fatelvis]

I am attempting the same project. I am starting at 32 grains of H4895, and working up to 36 grains. I am using a NOE 311299 sized to .311". From what I have been reading, that is what you need to operate the action, and it is still very safe. Tomorrow I will be going to the range and trying them. I will report back later.

[rondog]

I do believe you are not recalling your load correctly. I use 46.0 gr of IMR4895 with jacketed 150's in my Garand, and that's a fairly mild load.

Right you are! I was at work when I wrote that. Now that I'm home, I just checked and it's 47.5, not 27.5. My error. Thanks for the wake up!

[Scharfschuetze]

Interesting project to be sure. Please keep us updated.

[fatelvis]

Today I brought my Garand out to the range with a clip full of progressively higher charges of H4895. I started at 32 grains and went up one grain until 36 grains under a 311299 boolit. Accuracy was great with 32 grains, but the rifle didnt function (cycled, but didnt feed), until 36 grains. It fed 6 of the 8 on it's own, so I think next trip to the range I will be trying 37 and 38 grains, which should provide positive functioning. Very nice recoil impulse, and about 3" groups at 100 yds. I'll call that a successful Saturday experimenting with an old warhorse!

[Scharfschuetze]

Today I brought my Garand out to the range with a clip full of progressively higher charges of H4895. I started at 32 grains and went up one grain until 36 grains under a 311299 boolit. Accuracy was great with 32 grains, but the rifle didnt function (cycled, but didnt feed), until 36 grains. It fed 6 of the 8 on it's own, so I think next trip to the range I will be trying 37 and 38 grains, which should provide positive functioning. Very nice recoil impulse, and about 3" groups at 100 yds. I'll call that a successful Saturday experimenting with an old warhorse!

You're right at where I am with the 311299 using 4895 in the Garand. My best accuracy is just below what's needed for 100% function. Still, with a load that functions 100%, accuracy is just fine in a couple of different M1s.

[Nowherefound]

Looks like you have a ton of information here already so I might as well pile on. I have a Garand that gets fed only lead using an Accurate mold which produces a 222 grain boolit (before check and lube). I worked up from 28 grains IMR4895 until I got full reliability at 32 grains. Give it a try I'm sure you'll have a good time. Those heavy slugs sure can make a going ring.

[flint45]

Be careful a Garand is designed for bullets [j-word] under 180 grs. now boolits 230 grs. seems alittle heavy to me, proceeed with cautionyou dont want to damage the op rod.

[fatelvis]

Bullet weight is only part of the equation . As long as port pressure is kept to reasonable levels, there is no damage of bending the op rod.


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[TedH]

First try was pretty much a bust. I decided to start at 30 gr. and go up from there. The first load was fairly accurate, about 2 inches at 50 yards, but they were very mild, just over 1600 fps. They would eject the empty, but not get the bolt back far enough to strip the next cartridge. At 32 gr. all but 1 functioned the rifle properly, but the group started opening up. Velocity was just shy of 1800 fps. At 33 I got full reliability, but accuracy looked more like a 00 buck pattern. At 34 gr. Not one shot hit the target. So, I need to try and get a couple more thousandths diameter out of this mold. These boolits that I shot are a fairly easy fit through a .309" sizer. If I can get them up to .311" I think that 32 gr. load will do fairly well.

[Scharfschuetze]

These boolits that I shot are a fairly easy fit through a .309" sizer. If I can get them up to .311" I think that 32 gr. load will do fairly well.

I hope so.

Loading for the Garand is often a balancing act. Reliability v. accuracy are often at odds. When it finally gets sorted out, it's well worth the effort.

[hydraulic]

Do a search for "Bob S" load. He used WWII 4831 with heavy cast bullets with great results. Other slow powders will work with the M1. I'm using surplus 872 at 46 grs., with a 3 gr Unique kicker and a tuff of cotton under the bullet to keep the powder from mixing. This leaves some unburnt powder behind so you'll need to wipe the chamber between clips. The old warning about heavy bullets and slow powders doesn't apply to the use of cast bullets.