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Littledog
05-31-2009, 09:32 PM
I just started casting for the M1 Carbine to avoid the costs and availibility issues of jacketed boolits. I settled on the Lyman 311410 and can honestly say that it has performed beyond expectations.

I'm sizing to .310" and using 2400 powder with great results. Accuracy is running around 2" at 50 yards with perfect functioning. I've shot over 350 rounds with virtually no leading or fouling. In fact, the piston still moves freely when the carbine is tiped up and down. My biggest fear was that the piston/cylinder would foul and cause functioning issues but that has now been seemingly put to rest, (at least for now).

My plan now is to see how many cast rounds I can shoot before I need a complete cleaning of the gas system.

reloaders4you
05-31-2009, 09:46 PM
My plan now is to see how many cast rounds I can shoot before I need a complete cleaning of the gas system.

WHAT A PLAN!!!! You should enjoy doing it.

beagle
05-31-2009, 10:14 PM
When I was writing the article "Cast in the .30 Carbine" I ran through maybe 2,000 test loads. I pulled the gas piston and there was some residue but very little leading. This was both with GC'd and PB bullets and heavy on the PB style. This was with a Standard Products gun.

My previous experience with an M1A1 Paratrooper carbine back in the 60s was bad. I was using .311" bullets as recommended by Lyman. It was the 311359 and I didn't have the correct TP or seating screw. I was just getting into loading and wasn't as experienced as I am now. That combo would lead the piston in about 250 rounds and I mean probably 100 grains of lead shavings. This was with an IBM gun.

First indication will be a failure to function.

I think the lead fouling of the gas system is a function of oversized bullets and maybe the barrel itself.

I'd pull the piston after 1,000 rounds and look. So far, the carbine I have now seems to shoot PB bullets just fine with no fouling./beagle

jcwit
06-01-2009, 08:29 AM
I've over 5,000 rds of lead thru my Plainfield Carbine and no problem with the gas system yet. I use the Lee 311-100-2R bullet lubed with my own mix, 12 gr. of 4227 powder. Bullets are sized to .310.

Leftoverdj
06-01-2009, 11:35 AM
Just as a note, 311410 has been made in both plain base and bevel base versions. Which version you have might make a difference.

beagle
06-01-2009, 01:38 PM
I've used a bevel based Saeco HP. #254 (?) in mine a lot and no problems. I think it's the sizing that makes 'em lead./beagle

abunaitoo
06-02-2009, 02:38 PM
My barrel is really worn out.
Slugged it and it came out .310-.311.
Shooting the group buy bullets sized, in a Lee sizer, to .314.
Load is 8.0 of Blue dot.
Shoots about 2" at 50yds.