milprileb
05-25-2012, 08:47 AM
Today I validated some loads for the M1 Rifle. One was a 155gr Loverin Design 30 caliber cast bullet sized to .309 and I tested 32,33,34,35 and 36 grain loads of IMR 4895 pushing this cast gas checked bullet of my alloy
of 80% wheel wts and 20% Lino type metal. All loads fed and function fine. 32 gr shot wide, 33 closed down to 2 inches 34 and 35 about did the same: 1 inch or a hair better groups, 35 pushing a slight lead in smaller group size. 36 grains shot .8 MOA. It seems 36 grains is my 100 yd Off Hand practice load now but I am not sure its going to hold for 300 yds until I test it. I would like a cast load that goes to 300 yds .
I got zero leading so 36 grain will be tinkered with to see if I can make the load do better , I will go out again with loads at 35.5 and work up to 38 grains and see if groups get smaller at some point along the way and begin to get wider towards 38 grains. I'll find the final sweet recipe next range visit. We shoot off hand with M1 at 200 yds and I need a lot of practice to clean up my faults so this cast load is a cheap shooting solution for a lot of practice off hand shooting. That saves my 168 gr BTHP NM bullets for 600 yds and beyond.
I have a M1 rifle dedicated to cast bullet shooting and one dedicated for FMJ bullets. The cast shooter has a muzzle wear of 3 so I can bring it back to accuracy by sizing my bullet .309 and gain accuracy. The other M1 has a MW of 1.7 so its prime shape for FMJ distance work.
Ideally, I get loads for the cast rifle to shoot 100 to 300 and then shoot FMJ out to 1000. We shoot more 100 to 300 yd events so I save a bit if I can replace with cast bullets. All my bullets are gas checked, each is weighed and I cull any that are not correct weight. So far: this 155 grain mold bullet is doing fine but I may have to go to a 180 grain longer bearing surface bullet for best performance at 300 yds. Will wait and see but... that 180 grain mold is on order!
The cast bullet I used today is a old design and not of a style for the Garand. That is fed perfectly and functioned perfectly was a surprise. Single load or out of a Enbloc, the rounds worked perfectly. On all powder charges my
action worked and ejected brass flawlessly. Now, at any charge, that Enbloc popped out and cleared the rifle fine but its not jumping out of there high or fast. It clears by a country mile but the PING sounds like a baby fart.
Parting shot: I slugged the barrel on this M1 Rifle and the slug measured .3085 and .309. Calipers can vary in measurements and mine are no exception. I was worried my .309 sizing die was not going to work with these cast bullets but it appears the bore must be .3085 so my bullets at .309
were on the money. I do think I will get a .310 sizing die though and test bullets at that diameter. When I shoot to 200 and 300 yds, if my bullets
are .309 and a bit undersized for that bore for optimum performance, my distance accuracy could spread wide. Shall have to test and see.
If nothing was accomplished today, I at least have a use for this 150 grain Loverin mold and have a decent 100 yd practice load for off hand practice.
I am not unhappy about this at all.
Forgot to say my bullet lube: I used White Label 2500 and Hornady Gas Checks
of 80% wheel wts and 20% Lino type metal. All loads fed and function fine. 32 gr shot wide, 33 closed down to 2 inches 34 and 35 about did the same: 1 inch or a hair better groups, 35 pushing a slight lead in smaller group size. 36 grains shot .8 MOA. It seems 36 grains is my 100 yd Off Hand practice load now but I am not sure its going to hold for 300 yds until I test it. I would like a cast load that goes to 300 yds .
I got zero leading so 36 grain will be tinkered with to see if I can make the load do better , I will go out again with loads at 35.5 and work up to 38 grains and see if groups get smaller at some point along the way and begin to get wider towards 38 grains. I'll find the final sweet recipe next range visit. We shoot off hand with M1 at 200 yds and I need a lot of practice to clean up my faults so this cast load is a cheap shooting solution for a lot of practice off hand shooting. That saves my 168 gr BTHP NM bullets for 600 yds and beyond.
I have a M1 rifle dedicated to cast bullet shooting and one dedicated for FMJ bullets. The cast shooter has a muzzle wear of 3 so I can bring it back to accuracy by sizing my bullet .309 and gain accuracy. The other M1 has a MW of 1.7 so its prime shape for FMJ distance work.
Ideally, I get loads for the cast rifle to shoot 100 to 300 and then shoot FMJ out to 1000. We shoot more 100 to 300 yd events so I save a bit if I can replace with cast bullets. All my bullets are gas checked, each is weighed and I cull any that are not correct weight. So far: this 155 grain mold bullet is doing fine but I may have to go to a 180 grain longer bearing surface bullet for best performance at 300 yds. Will wait and see but... that 180 grain mold is on order!
The cast bullet I used today is a old design and not of a style for the Garand. That is fed perfectly and functioned perfectly was a surprise. Single load or out of a Enbloc, the rounds worked perfectly. On all powder charges my
action worked and ejected brass flawlessly. Now, at any charge, that Enbloc popped out and cleared the rifle fine but its not jumping out of there high or fast. It clears by a country mile but the PING sounds like a baby fart.
Parting shot: I slugged the barrel on this M1 Rifle and the slug measured .3085 and .309. Calipers can vary in measurements and mine are no exception. I was worried my .309 sizing die was not going to work with these cast bullets but it appears the bore must be .3085 so my bullets at .309
were on the money. I do think I will get a .310 sizing die though and test bullets at that diameter. When I shoot to 200 and 300 yds, if my bullets
are .309 and a bit undersized for that bore for optimum performance, my distance accuracy could spread wide. Shall have to test and see.
If nothing was accomplished today, I at least have a use for this 150 grain Loverin mold and have a decent 100 yd practice load for off hand practice.
I am not unhappy about this at all.
Forgot to say my bullet lube: I used White Label 2500 and Hornady Gas Checks