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Thread: M1 Garand and cast observations over 6 months

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    M1 Garand and cast observations over 6 months

    Ok so I’ve shot my Garand w 4895s In hot and cold weather and came up w this
    60 yard shots
    8 shot groups
    311299 gas checked and powder coated
    .311 sized
    Mixed brass that’s trimed to same length
    Tula mag primer
    Bullets made of 100 percent clip on wheel weight w 2 percent Tin added


    33.0 gr imr 4895 in hot weather short stroking bad accuracy
    34.0 gr imr 4895 in hot weather, short stroking ok accuracy
    35.0 gr imr 4895 in hot weather perfect cycle 2 inch accuracy
    36.0 gr imr 4895 in hot weather perfect cycle 1 1/2 inch accuracy

    35.0 gr imr 4895 in cold weather perfect cycle 2 Inch accuracy
    36.0 gr imr 4895 in cold weather perfect cycle 1 1/2 inch accuracy

    35.0 gr h-4895 in cold weather perfect cycle 2 inch accuracy
    36.0 gr h-4895 in cold weather perfect cycle 1 1/2 inch accuracy

    35.0 gr imr 4064 in cold weather perfect cycle 1 inch
    36.0 gr imr 4064 in cold weather perfect cycle 1 3/4 inch
    37.0 gr imr 4064 in cold weather perfect cycle 1 1/2 inch

    A4064 test in 40 degree temps
    35.0 2 inch group great cycling
    36.0 1 1/2 inch group great cycling
    37.0 terrible vertical stringing and I’m not sure it’s the load(will rerun test

    A4064 test in 80 degree temp
    35.0 1 1/2 in
    36.0 gr 3 in
    37.0 1 1/2 in
    Last edited by odfairfaxsub; 05-24-2019 at 09:58 PM.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    Cold weather constitutes as anywhere between 20-40 degrees.

    Hot weather constitutes as 60-100.

    I’ve been out quite a bit checking this gun out.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy AggiePharmD's Avatar
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    If you'd told me you'd done this over a 2 to 3 day time frame, I'd said you were from TX.��

    I'm not an expert by any means but looking at your data, it seems you could use 36gr of any of those powders listed above for year around shooting. Great info and thanks for sharing.
    Calling an illegal immigrant an "undocumented worker" is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I used the 36 gr 4064 load in my Garand with the RCBS 308-165 SIL with 100% function and accuracy on par with M2 ball. Only issue was lead particles in the gas system, not enough to affect function but needed more frequent dis-assembly and cleaning.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    Haha Texas. Your actually speaking for many. One point it was 20 here w windchill bringing us to -5 then that same week it’s 55.

    I do like the 311299 bullet badly but would like to try a lighter bullet for the sake of lead economy!

  6. #6
    Boolit Master RU shooter's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by odfairfaxsub View Post
    Haha Texas. Your actually speaking for many. One point it was 20 here w windchill bringing us to -5 then that same week it’s 55.

    I do like the 311299 bullet badly but would like to try a lighter bullet for the sake of lead economy!
    Give the Lee 312-185 a try it always did well when I had my Garand also the rcbs 165 sil. Bullet shot very well . I was using about 36 gr of pulled CZ 54R powder very similar to 4895
    If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Velocity of those loads?
    Tx
    beltfed/arnie

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    I’ll check w a chrono. I’m assuming around 2200

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    I've been trying to get reliable functioning out of my Garand with 4064, and so far in my testing I've gone up to 37 gr. It'll eject a spent case, but won't strip a new one. I'm using the Lee 312-155, however. Maybe using a heavier bullet will help. Just got the 180 SIL from the MP group buy, but haven't had a chance to cast any, hopefully that'll be the ticket

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy Desertbuck's Avatar
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    I gave up trying to get my M1 to eat Boolits. The best results I got was from a
    Clt312-160-2R sized to .309
    Gas checked and PC with harbor freight red as well as lubed with 45-45-10.
    Can't remember charge specifically but it was with IMR 4350. I got what I was considering acceptable accuracy as well as good action function but no matter what I tried one problem I could never fix was the fact that the gas system would ultimately lead up bad after 30 or 50rd no matter what I did. After the 6th time having to spend 2 hours picking and scrubbing the gas system of lead I called it quits. So I just switch back to J words
    Been meaning to do some experimentation with the Lyman 311284 just a little hesitant but my Model of 1917 will pile this Boolit on top of one another at a hundred yards.
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  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Yesterday I did test w a4064 and the 311299 .311 sized powder coated and gas checked

    35.0 gr 2 inch group great cycling
    36.0 gr 1 1/2 inch group great cycling
    37.0 gr terrible vertical stringing which I’m having a hard time believing it was the load.

    I’m going to rerun the test again and reprove the issues or find out wether it’s a gun problem or what have me

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Desertbuck View Post
    I gave up trying to get my M1 to eat Boolits. The best results I got was from a
    Clt312-160-2R sized to .309
    Gas checked and PC with harbor freight red as well as lubed with 45-45-10.
    Can't remember charge specifically but it was with IMR 4350. I got what I was considering acceptable accuracy as well as good action function but no matter what I tried one problem I could never fix was the fact that the gas system would ultimately lead up bad after 30 or 50rd no matter what I did. After the 6th time having to spend 2 hours picking and scrubbing the gas system of lead I called it quits. So I just switch back to J words
    Been meaning to do some experimentation with the Lyman 311284 just a little hesitant but my Model of 1917 will pile this Boolit on top of one another at a hundred yards.


    The one thing I can comment to this is I’m leading free but not sure what my gas system looks like entirely. Where the gas exhaust out I don’t have a grey residue but a black carbon which roughly indicates to me it’s jist powder carbon not bullet vapor. I’m curious to see what it looks like when I take it apart maybe on my one thousandth cast bullet that’s been powder coated.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

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    My experiences mirror Odfair's, except I've been using h4895. 36 grains and a 311299 is the winning ticket for me.
    I shoot so that I can handload.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    I would check a third category, call it very hot weather, above 85 or 90, in the sun. I have found that stuff that seems good at 80 acts differently when over 90. I know H4895 is an 'extreme' powder, but I have noticed some differences even with Varget.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    Yeah. I also noticed something

    I was shooting off my Caldwell shooting bag. Amature hour of observation...... my darn op rod/charger handle was rubbing the bag some on the bag. Totally moved the rifle back and I bet now I could have prevented some of the short stroking I was getting. I still believe if you can stay above the 36 gr of these powders your more so into the success territory

  16. #16
    Boolit Man
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    Has anyone tried Reloader 7 loads in the Garand using a 311299 boolit? I have been getting some good results with Rx7 in the 03A3, and am considering working up a load that will function in the Garand. Thought I would throw the question out there before I start.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    I was thinking about it. I use rel 7 in my beowulf but I use a case full to make it function. I don’t believe I could make a m1 Garand function on a fast powder like rel7 considering 34 gr of 4895 doesn’t work reliably. We’re you thinking of giving it a shot?

  18. #18
    Boolit Master

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    Any data/observations with 311299's that have been lube sized and NOT powder coated? Intrigued, but not interested in painting bullets.
    WWJMBD?

    In the Land of Oz, we cast with wheel weight and 2% Tin, Man.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master

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    311299 boolits lubed with Bullplate and sized to .310” shot beautifully from both my Garands with 36.0 grns H4895. Accurate, mild and operates the action reliably.
    I shoot so that I can handload.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master 15meter's Avatar
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    I use 37 grains of H4895 under a gas checked RCBS 30-180. It's gas checked, sized to .310.

    Cycles in four different M1's with good accuracy in all of them and no leading.
    I loaded up 500+ a couple of months ago, hope I have enough to last through the shooting season.

    Considered trying the Lyman 31141 boolit but I ran out of 06 brass. Next reloading season I'll probably give it a try.

    This load plus 400 loaded with either 16 grains of 2400 or 14 grains of Blue Dot ran me out of empty brass. The light loads are for the 03A3.

    An earlier poster commented on leading with a Lee boolit sized 309, I'd be curious if sizing at .310 would help.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check