COL for 168 SMK in a M1 Garand / Criterion Barrel?

[Welding Rod]

As the title says, any recommendations for cartridge overall length for 168 grain Sierra Match Kings in a Garand?

My new CMP "Special" Garand has a Criterion barrel if that matters.

I tried the Sierra Bullets recommended length of 3.285" and the bullet is getting into the lands, so I suppose a deeper seating is in order... hence the question.

Thanks!

 

[USSR]

So, I assume when you chamber a cartridge and then extract it from the chamber, it has marks on the bullet ogive? Try seating the bullet about .020" deeper. As long as you keep the bullet ogive outside of the case neck, it shouldn't matter what the OAL is.

Don

 

[jr_roosa]

That's weird, the lands on mine are way out there (same gun), and I come nowhere near them with my loads with the 168s or 175s. I'm at work so I don't have my loading data handy, but the IMR website lists 3.300 and that seems close to what I use.

How did you measure where your lands are? If they're really that close, you might want either a gunsmith to take a look or call CMP and they'll probably rebarrel it on their dime or at least ream the chamber to proper spec.

Also a deeper seating might even help your accuracy, within reason (deeper makes more pressure), because of all the extra airspace in the case with Garand loads.

-J.

 

[P-32]

With the M-1 we are pretty much limited to going shorter not longer, unless you load one at a time.

I have not found a 168 SMK load I was hhappy with in a '06 Garand. A 308 Garand with a Douglas barrel is a different story.

What I have found is my '06 Garands really like the 155 gr "Palma" SMK. I use IMR 4064 in all bullet weights as I found this powder gives an over all good results.

I left a phone call into a friend of mine who also put the Criterion barrel on his M-1 and wil post what he says.

 

[jcwit]

Start by using a bullet comparator to measure your cartridges length.

 

[P-32]

I called my shooting buddy. He has not had the time to mess with his Criterion barrel M-1 yet. I might have to question his manhood since he's had it since last year.