Ok those of you running cast what is the minimum powder charge and type that gets you 100% cycling and 3 moa or less (10 ring of SR)
I will be getting out at some point with my now dedicated cast slinger.
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Ok those of you running cast what is the minimum powder charge and type that gets you 100% cycling and 3 moa or less (10 ring of SR)
I will be getting out at some point with my now dedicated cast slinger.
34 grains of H4895 under a Lee 309-160 cycles my SA 100% and holds 3" at 100 yards - most of the time.
I have used as little as 32 grains of 4895 with a 3/4 gr dacron filler with 100% cycle. 34 is more accurate though.
FOR THE RECORD: Filler/powder retention materials, even that old standby kapok, raise pressure significantly.
Not necessarily a baaaad thing, so much a factor never to be discounted.
Lots of variables in the tolerances of an M1 Garand to be specific. More than most rifles, an M1 can be a law unto itself given piston diameter, gas cylinder diameter, gas vent erosion, stock friction on the op rod (if present), and the overall wear of the mechanical components.
With an "in spec" rifle though, I get reliability and accuracy between 34 grains and 36 grains of a non-canister 4895 powder under a 195 grain (311334) bullet for about 1,850 fps.
For the record; the use of dacron as a filler with medium to slow burning powders does not "significantly" raise pressures. Some fillers, such as COW, do significantly raise pressures, especially in bottle neck cases. Cast bullet loads as requested by the OP using medium to slow burning powders and a dacron filler will have pressures about 50% of the MAP for the 30-06. I have measured the pressure in thousands of such loads with a dacron filler and can say that with as high a certainity as can be said with any reloading procedure.
As Scharfscheutze mentions there are numerous variables. My suggestion to obtain 3 moa accuracy with cast bullets in an M1 (assuming it is in a condition to do that) is to use a medium burning powder with H4895 recommended, a 3/4 - 1 gr dacron filler and a well cast GC'd bullet of 190 - 210 gr with a quality lube and keeping the velocity under 1950 fps. Best accuracy will come right at 100% functioning or just above. Of the currently avaiable moulds I recommend either Lyman or NOE 311299 or 314299.
39 grains of IMR 4064 under a 150 grain bullet just barely cycles my H&R M1 (38 grains will eject and lock open after the last round, but not always cycle smoothly)
yup.. lots of variables..my H&R cycles with as little as 29 grs H or IMR4895 under the various 200+ gr 299's...sub 2" @ 100 yds...I rack it up to between 30 to 32 grs for lighter bullets (155-180 grs)...no fillers.....that's mine though
I have two, that shoot great with Lee 200gr .309" RNGC OVER 34.5gr H4895. 2,000fps.
36.5 over Lee 155gr .310" PTGC w/Dacron filler wad. Size to .311", SPG lube. acww.
I shoot a NOE 311299 over 34 grn on IMR 4064 and it gives 2" at 100 out of my parts matching 43winchester I have killed a couple of deer with that load
42 grains WWII surplus 4831 and 311284. X-ring on SR target prone at 200 yards; 10-ring at 200 yards sitting. From my old IHC, circa 1972. You can substitute the "new" 4831 without problems.
Respectfully,
Bob S.
what im trying to do is find a starting point... Im trying to decide do i try light bullets or heavy bullets.
I have 3 molds to work with
a lee 309-180 grain Ranch dog 160 grain flat nose or a lyman 311299 200 grain
In my experience, the heavy bullets work best in the M1 Garand as reliability is a function of gas port pressure near the muzzle. Powder burn rate and bullet weight all play a part with it.
My suggestion for your first loads is:
Your 180 grain Lee bullet sized to .310."
32 grains of 4895 or 33 grains of 4064
Cases and primers of your choice.
It may not operate your action reliably, but then again, it might. Work up until you have a compromise between reliability and accuracy. That usually comes at about 1,800 fps in my M1 Garands. Accuracy and function are often a compromise with semi-auto rifles.
Once you gain some experience and success with your specific rifle, experiment with various powders and bullet weights. There are some very good suggestions posted above.
As noted above, each M1 is a rule to unto itself.
I use 34 grains H4895 under a Lyman 311284.
Had to go that high to get to cycle all 4 of my M1's reliably.
Any less and got hit or miss cycling in a couple of them.
The M1 planning for cast will be the only one slinging lead. Unless I decide to sling cast through the 308 also?
My dedicated Pb slinger has a like new gas cylinder with a op rod piston matched to that cylinder. Op rod was rebuilt and new piston installed. New and fitted stock. The rifle it self is a post war 60s rebuild
I shoot IMR 4831 or 4895, 39 and 34 grains respectively. .5 grain of dacron filler.
Boolit is the 314299 sized to .311 lube is Carnuba blue. I generally can keep 8 rounds in a 3" Orange circle with either load @ 100 yards. What a sweet rifle to shoot, makes me grin every time I pull the trigger.
I,have not got back to the M1 cast project yet. Working on cast loads for the Arisaka
For a up coming cmp vintage match. Got it to about 3moa. Also wrapping up a 308 build.
Hey mac, are you shooting the Type 99 or 38?
Reason I ask is I've owned both.
The bore on my type 99 was on the large size, .315. So I shot the Noe 316299 in it. Powder it favored was sr4756 of all things. I bought that pound of powder on a whim. Who knew. But it shot very well.
I have pretty much settled on 39 grains of IMR 4831 in my M1.
Type 99 have not bothered to slug it yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by iron brigade
I'm going to run a 314299 sized to .314 as dropped from the mold. I figure this old crusty rifle shooting 3moa is not to bad. Maybe when I have more time I will develop a better load, slug it and possibly fabricate a new stock.
For 100% functioning, I need 36 grns H4895, under a NOE 311299.