M1 Garand and NOE 311299 again.

[Ted]

I've been curious as to what these loads were actually doing so last night I dug up my old (25-30 year old) Oehler Model 33 chronograph and took it along today.

Using my old DCM garand with two different loads. NOE311299 bullet cast from water dropped wheel weights weighing in at 204grs. Sized to .311 inches and lubed with Carnauba Red lube, gas checked and with 1gr of poly fiber over the powder. 16 rounds were loaded with 34grs of Surplus 4895 and 16 with 35grs.

All were shot at 50+ yards from sandbags.
First were the 34gr loads.
1534 fps
1526 fps
1549 fps
1512 fps
1502 fps
1511 fps
1511 fps
1514 fps

Average velocity of 1520 fps, a extreme spread of 47 fps and a standard deviation of 14. The accuracy was not shabby either. 8 rounds into 2 3/8" x 1 1/4" with 7 rounds going into 1" x 1".

The next clip went (again 34gr loads)
1431 fps
1475 fps
1474 fps
1439 fps
1468 fps
1439 fps
1416 fps
1430 fps

For an average velocity of 1446 fps, an extreme spread of 59 fps and a SD of 22 (according to my chronograph and .7 according to my spreadsheet???)

8 rounds into 7/8" x 1 3/4". Pretty good for me.


Next up was 35g of surplus 4895 again with a 1gr poly filler.

1589
1556
1575
1574
1585
1591
1547
1556

An average velocity of 1571 fps with an extreme spread of 44 fps and an SD of 16 (chronograph, spreadsheet says 23. YMMV). 8 rounds into 1 3/4" x 1 7/8".

OFF
OFF
1591
1564
1592
1592
1564
1551

An average velocity of 1575 fps, a extreme spread of 41 fps and a SD of 18 (chronograph, 28 spreadsheet). I forgot to turn the chronograph on for the first two shots. However it must have been in the ball park, all eight rounds went into 1 3/8" x 1 1/8".

Offhand it looks like the addition of 1gr of powder, at this level, increases the velocity by about 100fps with this load and reduces the extreme spread by just a hair.

The accuracy is all I can hope for though I am a little surprised at the relatively low muzzle velocity shown for all these loads. I would have (from reading online) expected these to have run closer to 1700-1800 fps. I’ll probably try 56grs 56.5gs and 57grs, but I think I need to cast some more bullets first. I’m running low.

I’m also at a loss to explain the difference in Standard Deviation as given by the chronograph vs my spreadsheet.

Photos of the targets can be found here http://shadowsfall.org/mandogandgun/?p=5980

[Gunnut 45/454]

Naw I'd bump up the load to 45 gr a see where your at ! Should be around 1750ish I'd say. If your gas checked I'd leave out the filler.

[Ted]

The accuracy is all I can hope for though I am a little surprised at the relatively low muzzle velocity shown for all these loads. I would have (from reading online) expected these to have run closer to 1700-1800 fps. I’ll probably try 56grs 56.5gs and 57grs, but I think I need to cast some more bullets first. I’m running low.

This is a classic example of my fingers running ahead of my brain and proof reading. I meant to write that I'll probably try 36 grs and 36.5 grs and see what they do. On the other hand and after thinking about it. In 60 degree weather any of these loads work the rifle with 100% reliability and on the last round lock the bolt back and eject the clip. The accuracy is all I can ask for for practice and a reduced range High Power match. I'll sleep on it and decide later.

[Larry Gibson]

Ted

Nice to see someone else still uses their older M33. I still have mine along with the M11 Skyscreens and use it ocassionally. Got to remember to flip that dial though.......

Larry Gibson

[Gunnut 45/454]

Ted
Another thing to try if you haven't already is weight your bullets and try to get them within a few tenth of a gr of each other. This will reduce your SD and ES. Should help your groups too!