M1 Carbine Reloading Questions ...

[Denny Gibson]

I have a new Inland M1 Carbine that doesn't shoot much better than the old vintage ones did. I've inspected the rifle: the receiver fits very snugly in the stock and the recoil plate is firmly ensconsed in its cavity. Bedding may not make a big difference. I have read that these guns benefit considerably from hand loads. Three questions:
1. How much success have you had with reloading for M1 Carbine?
2. What worked for you?
3. Is the case crimp really necessary?

Thanks,
Denny

 

[Galil5.56]

Hey Denny,

been a great endeavor for me, and I like to use relatively inexpensive 100 grain Hornady SJ bullets and WW296/H110 propellant. 2400 worked OK, but I like the others a lot better. These rounds feed 100% from my Quality Hardware carbine, and accuracy seems just fine by me. Velocities are measured at nearly 2100 fps, and I would think the wounding result absolutely brutal.

I only lightly taper crimp to remove belling, and just like as with other types of "straight wall", rimless cartridges, I let a good friction fit take care of potential set-back. (Not that this can really happen with max loads of WW296/H110)

Here is a capture from G&A from awhile back, that you may find helpful. Good luck

 

[Sunray]

Been using Speer 110 grain SP's, HP's or FMJ's for 40 years with IMR4227. Found that to be more accurate than H110. It's a taper crimp only but I don't remember if my dies(Redding. I think. Not at home to look.) do it or not. Probably do. Never had any issues either way.
Oh and the 110 grain HP blows a hole the size of a grape fruit in a ground hog. Wouldn't think twice about using 'em for deer if our idiot government hadn't decided the Carbine was evil.

 

[hdwhit]

When I loaded for the carbine, I used IMR-4227 powder and 110 grain bullets (soft or hollow point). Seated to achieve same OAL as factory cartridge. No crimp. The carbine is not a target rifle, but these were accurate enough for my purposes.

 

[Denny Gibson]

Thanks folks! I'm in the planning stage still so the info is valuable. Just to fill in a little: I've been shooting the carbine in a match we call the "Mauser Match," shooting off-hand at 50 meters at an SR1 target (black is about 6" diameter). To be eligible the weapon has to be a miltary rifle with "as issued" iron sights. I love shooting this rifle ... I have several rifles that shoot better but I always shoot at least one relay (out of four) with the carbine. The problem is that a 4-5" group leaves very little room for error in keeping the round in the black.

Here's the question ... I'd be happy if the gun would print a 2" group at 50 meters ... am I wasting my time or can it be achieved?

 

[Denny Gibson]

Actually, If I had looked at the chart Galil5.56 posted I would have seen that several combos could yield the desired results.

Galil5.556 ... did the article say anything about the condition of the weapon ... i.e. Action, barrel and recoil plate bedded?

 

[meesterdon]

I use 110 grain RN Extreme/Barrys (whoever has a sale) copper clad with H110/W296 in a USGI Inland. About a 3" group at 100 yards is the best I can achieve. Same as I get using factory ball ammo. The Carbine is by far my favorite plinker. Just plain fun.

As far as reloading goes the keys are trim, lube, and a very light taper crimp. YMMV

 

[eo1bart]

After experimenting a little, I came back to the old standby; 15.0gr H110 under a 110gr FMJ. Most recently I've been using these bullets from RMR:

https://rmrbullets.com/shop/bullets...ine-110-gr-fmj-round-nose-new/?v=7516fd43adaa

 

[Galil5.56]

Sorry Danny, I can't find the article on my computer, I only have the posted capture of data.

 

[Denny Gibson]

Galil5.56 ... no problem ... the data you posted and Mesterdon's comment re: 3" at 100 yards says I can certainly excpect to get 2" or less at 50m ... thanks everyone! The High Road never disappoints!

Eobart ... thanks for the tip! ... I picked up 200 of them

 

[Denny Gibson]

You know, I've never seen a rifle fail to be improved at least a little after a good bedding job ... maybe I'll start there ... load development is a given either way ...

 

[hdwhit]

Denny Gibson wrote:
I've inspected the rifle: the receiver fits very snugly in the stock and the recoil plate is firmly ensconsed in its cavity.

You might want to raise this in one of the rifle forums since accurizing a rifle is moving out of handloading/reloading, but I will point out that it you look at the way the M1 carbine is fit into its stock, the recoil plate is essentially a hook that mates with a corresponding tang on the back of the receiver. In essence the entire action is suspended in a cantilever fashion from the grip by the recoil plate. The barrel band just holds the barrel to the front of the stock to keep the assembly from falling out of the stock.

You said the fit to the stock was snug. Check the fit or the receiver, trigger housing and slide and be sure none of them are binding on the stock.

Because the barrel band holds the barrel to the front of the stock and the stock has some flexibility, make sure that you are consistent in how you hold the stock and that you are not using tension on the sling to pull the barrel out of alignment.

Bedding may not make a big difference.

Agreed. The carbine provides little opportunity for bedding as the stock must be kept clear of the slide and sufficient clearance allowed for gas to escape the tappet.

 

[Denny Gibson]

Hdwhit ... thanks ... good points all! I think I'll concentrate on hand loads. Sounds like (potentially) the best bang for the buck.