I just started reloading for my M1 Garand this week. I'm using IMR 4064, 165 gr. Hornady BTSP and new Winchester Brass. I stared at 46 gr., and worked up to 49 gr. in 1 gr. increments. Then I tried 49.5 gr., and shot a 2" group at 100 yds. Should I be happy with this, or is it possable to get better accuracy? The rifle is "plain Jane", the barrel is fair to good condition. It does nick the brass a little, but not bad enough to keep me from reloading it.

Any thoughts or experience shared would be appreciated.

Mike

Mike

I asked a similar question recently, and was handed a 7.62 "Crane, IN. navy match" Garand to try (some of the most accurate Garands ever built). In my shakey hands it was shooting 5" groups, in the hands of it's owner (a camp perry shooter/ROTC rifle coach) it was firing 4" groups (we were both firing military ball ammo at the 200yd line, from the prone). He says it groups tighter yet in the hand's of a better shooter than he is.



If your getting 2MOA groups from a stock Garand (benched I'm assuming) be happy, very very happy.

Thank you for the insight!!! I guess I have a better gun than I thought. While the group I shot was only a 3 shot group, it was predictable compared to the previous loads tested. I'll shoot a 5 shot group as soon as I get to the range again and let you know what I get. I am benching the rifle for load developement, but I do enjoy shooting off hand with the M1.

Mike

Mike, a standard "rack grade" M-1 should shoot about 3-4 MOA.

But, I would suggest using ten-shot groups. Three shot groups don't give you an accurate idea of how your rifle shoots.

DaMan

DaMan,

I just loaded 20 rounds at 49.5 gr. As soon as I can get to the range, I'll shoot at least one 5 shot group to see what it is doing (and to see what I am doing with it). Of course, I'll probably do it again for the fun of it, then maybe one more time, and if time permits, once more. Then I'm out of ammo!!!

I know it was capable of 3 m.o.a. with surplus ammo after I put some gasket sealer on the spline for the front sight. It seemed to work well enough, so maybe I'll peen the splines for a more permanent fix.

Another tip, if you haven't done it (although, if it's truly a 2" rifle it's a moot point) is glass bedding. It took my from a 6" shooter to a 3" shooter, with no other changes....

I had the Garand out today, and with a light breeze between 5-10 mph, I had a 10 shot group of 3.5" at 100 yds. I was shooting at a slow pace (at least 1 min. between shots). I am going to tighten up the front sight with some teflon plumbing tape stretched over the splines around the muzzle. I had used it before with very good results. I also have some flat based bullets to try. Sometimes that improves accuracy. The rifle functions very smoothly with this particular load. I'll keep you all posted as this progresses.

My stock rack grade M1 likes to shoot the Win 147gr bulk fmj's from Midway. The best load has been 47gr's of 4895 LC brass, and a win primer.

I have three M1's and they tend to shoot 2-3 MOA, but seem to hold up accuracy wise out to distance. Both them and the 1903 Springfields that I have really like the DANISH ball ammo. If you can find some of that, it is excellent! Only down side? Berdan primed.