M1 Garand - Lee 150F or 170F?

[22lover]

Hi All, I have a CMP Garand for which I'd like to begin reloading w/cast. Has anyone tried using either the Lee 150 (C309-150F) or Lee 170 (C309-170F) for the Garand? We have these already for reloading 30-30, but am not sure if the flat nose would work out well in the M1 or not.

These would/will be powder coated and gas checked using WW. Powder selection will be IMR 4895 or IMR 3031.

Thanks in advance,
Bill

[GooseGestapo]

I’ve used both. Either work.
However, I recommend the .311” 160gr PtGc. 6-cavity mold. I size .311” and lube with SPG.
Approximately 36.5gr of H4895 cycles the action.
For hunting the 170gr is preferred, but the high volume of the 160gr pointed bullet makes it preferable for target shooting and plinking.

[22lover]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for that mold. Can't find one readily available at the moment. Was thinking of starting with the 150gr Flat and 43gr of 4895 to see how they do.

[Johnch]

I have found that the C312-155-2R works great in my M1 Grand
I size it to .311 and use a load of 4895 that will cycle the rifle
But not be hot
I have also used CTL312-160 that a friend had cast and also got good results
Yea both of those molds were designed for the 7.62x39 but they work great

John

[charlie b]

There are a ton of designs that work for the Garand. I use the XCB (similar to the Lee bullets above) and the 210gn Eagan design. The Eagan is a long cylindrical design with a truncated cone tip. Despite it having a long OAL and flat tip it feeds just fine.

I'd start with the 170gn as you won't have to push them as hard to cycle the action. I've had my best accuracy with velocities below 2000fps.