Garand bullet molds?

[catboat]

I picked up a Garand, with a worn out barrel. It is currently at the gunsmith getting a new Criterion 30-06 1-10" twist GI contour barrel installed (plus a trigger job). I want to shoot it in some of the local JC Garand matches.

I know I have to use the club-supplied ammo, but I'd also like to shoot 150-168 grain jacketed bullets. I know I need to use medium powders, ie 46 grains 4895.

I'd like to use cast bullets. There were some excellent posts on this website about using the Lyman designed 311299 200 grain bullet (again with medium rate rifle powders in teh 35-45 grain range or so).

Getting to my question, has anyone else used 170-180 grain gas checked bullets in the M1 garand? Could you share your experiences? Loads? Results? I'm not looking to run "pistol powders" and messing up the op rod. I have several bullet 30 cal bulelt molds to use. Just trying to save some time.

I have Lyman/Ideal 31141 175ish grain flat point, Lyman/ideal 311291 170-175 ish grain round nose GC, SAECO 315 tapered "Eagen style" 175ish grain GC, and SAECO #305 .311" 180 grain GC mold. The SAECO #315 has shot well for me, and others in bolt rifles. I was curious how it would work in the M1 Garand. The SAECO #305 180 grainer will likely be sized to about .310" That could work just fine too. I just don't want to re-invent the wheel for doing inition load development. Powder ? Charge? results?

Standing by for input, and your experiences. Thanks in advance.

[supertodd]

I use jacketed bullets in my 4 garands(one of each manufacturer)- but have had good luck with varget powder and ramshot biggame. You might want to check out a hornady loading manual as they have a section just on Garand loads. PS check out the cmp forum lots of good info on the garand. What make is yours?

[Larry Gibson]

While not "reinventing the wheel" you'll brobably need to do some load development for your particular M1, especially if you're going to shoot matches. The key will be 100% functioning in the 1800 - 1950 fps range for best accuracy. That's why the heavier 311299 works so well. It allows sufficient gas port pressure while keeping the velocity in that range. I would suggest trying both the #315 and the #305 bullets over 4895 starting with 28 gr and using a dacron filler. Work up to 32 gr or to 1950 fps. If that doesn't work then switch to H4831SC starting at 32 gr + the dacron filler and work up. To use the M1 in matches you must have 100% functional reliability and hopefully 2 moa or less for accuracy with 10 or even 20 shot groups. Using what I have suggested has given me those results in match or rack grade M1s in excellent condition. However, I always found 311299 to be the best cast bullet to use.

Larry Gibson

[Jack Stanley]

It's been many years since I ran cast through the Garand , in fact it was about the time surplus ammo became more available .

When I was using cast it was a Lyman 311334 design which should work almost as good as the 311299 . I used Winchester large rifle primers , military cases and thirty-three to thirty-four grains of Accurate arms 2520 . I was looking for something that would work reliably without beating the rifle up and it did well . As I remember it was as accurate as ball ammo without the recoil of ball .

My load was running out of lube but I was only using 50/50 Alox and I think some of the better lubes of today would work better .

Jack

[45 2.1]

This one shoots quite well in the Garand. No one is making it now.

[zomby woof]

I've had luck with 311299 and 311284. I just got a 312299, it has a little larger nose than the 311299. I can't wait to try it.

[catboat]

Larry,

Thanks for you post on my thread about M1 Garand bullet mold options. I enjoy reading your posts, and always learn from them.

I was looking at the Lyman 311299 mold. In fact, I bought one, and it was undersized and oval-sent it back (you responded to that thread about adding tin). Thanks again.

I've been considering the NOE molds in 311299, or even the 312299 version with a slightly larger nose diameter. What is your take on that? I know you want to chamber it, and not be too large in diameter. I am intrigued with the 312299 for my 30-06 Criterion barreled Garand. It's not a "match barrel", but it probably will have tighter tolerances than an original Garand barrel.

Also, what do you think of the Lyman 311290 for the Garand? One issue about the 311299 I am concerned about is that I wish it had one more band on it (for crimping). I think you mentioned something about that in one of your posts on castboolits.com in another thread. The 311290 looks to have that "extra room"/band, and still be in the 200-210 grain range.

I'd appreciate your comments on the Lyman/Ideal 311290 and the NOE 312299.

Click on link, and scroll down to see a picture with a bunch of 30 cal cast bullets, including the 311299 and 311290
http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/ByFireArm/Cast%20in%20the%20M1%20Garand.pdf

Thanks in advance.


PS anyone can chime in on the Lyman 311290 and NOE 311299 pros/cons.
Thanks.

PPS my Garand is a Springfield Armory, with a s/n ~ 23,xxx which puts in in the late 1939 era (I guessed it was Sept 1939, the time Germany invaded Poland )

It has been reparkerized at some time, and has a new walnut buttstock. It's at the gunsmith now, so I don't have pics. The barrel was terrible when I got it, so a new Criterion was expected. I'll have a trigger job done on it while it's getting rebarreled.

[Larry Gibson]

The 311290 should also be an excellent bullet in the M1 or any '06. I've not tried it but all the design features are there. I've had several 311299 moulds over the years and managed to get talked out of my last 2 cavity one. All cast with WWs +2% tin at .3115 - .3125 on the bands and .299 - .302 on the nose. I just cast up some with my old single cavity a couple days ago of 80/20 lino/lead and they run .3135 on the bands and .303 on the nose. I size them at .311 and with .003 - .004 neck tension I've not crimped any for use in the M1, M1A/M14 or any other gas gun. Never had a problem with bullet setback. I seat them so the front lube groove is just covered but could seat and slightly roll crimp into the front drive band if it was needed.

Larry Gibson