wsryno
Member
CMP came through for me with my first service rifle purchase: M1 Garand HRA service grade, 5,59xxxx serial number series. I've been to the range a few times and have generated a few questions that I hope you can help me with.
For the record: Hand loads 46.5gr IMR4895, WLR primer, commercial 1x fired brass, Sierra Pro Hunter 150gr (flat base). I sighted in at 25 yds using a 4" red circle with center-hold. I shoot several other iron sight rifles and shoot best with center-hold. I know the traditionalists are shaking their heads right now...
(1) No trouble at all zeroing and calibrating the elevation. However, to zero the windage, I centered the windage knob and drifted the front sight. I had to drift it all the way to the right side of the post (see pic). And I still had to move the windage knob 4 clicks to the left to center the shot groups. I would have expected the front sights to be MUCH closer to center line than this. Is this unusual? Am I making some M1 newbie shooting error (head position, sight picture, ??)?
(2) I've considered this rifle for deer hunting from a tree stand, shots usually in the range 75-150 yards, however the safety is VERY LOUD! It's a very positive contact On or Off, but it's SO LOUD going either way that I don't think it will be appropriate for those quiet mornings in the tree stand. Any way to quiet down the safety without compromising safety? I think the Dremel tool is off the table LOL!
After the second time sighting in I went to the 200 yard range and hit the 12" gong with 8 of 8 shots, so I know the rifle is shooting 6MOA but of course I'll get more data on actual accuracy as I get more range time. I ran out of ammo or I would have been trying the smaller gongs for kicks.
As I discussed in a previous post, I'm fairly sure this is the rifle my Dad would have carried during the Battle of the Bulge so it's been a humbling experience for me to learn about this rifle. Now if I could only get my hands on a 1944 or 1945 M1 instead of a mid-1950's version...
For the record: Hand loads 46.5gr IMR4895, WLR primer, commercial 1x fired brass, Sierra Pro Hunter 150gr (flat base). I sighted in at 25 yds using a 4" red circle with center-hold. I shoot several other iron sight rifles and shoot best with center-hold. I know the traditionalists are shaking their heads right now...
(1) No trouble at all zeroing and calibrating the elevation. However, to zero the windage, I centered the windage knob and drifted the front sight. I had to drift it all the way to the right side of the post (see pic). And I still had to move the windage knob 4 clicks to the left to center the shot groups. I would have expected the front sights to be MUCH closer to center line than this. Is this unusual? Am I making some M1 newbie shooting error (head position, sight picture, ??)?
(2) I've considered this rifle for deer hunting from a tree stand, shots usually in the range 75-150 yards, however the safety is VERY LOUD! It's a very positive contact On or Off, but it's SO LOUD going either way that I don't think it will be appropriate for those quiet mornings in the tree stand. Any way to quiet down the safety without compromising safety? I think the Dremel tool is off the table LOL!
After the second time sighting in I went to the 200 yard range and hit the 12" gong with 8 of 8 shots, so I know the rifle is shooting 6MOA but of course I'll get more data on actual accuracy as I get more range time. I ran out of ammo or I would have been trying the smaller gongs for kicks.
As I discussed in a previous post, I'm fairly sure this is the rifle my Dad would have carried during the Battle of the Bulge so it's been a humbling experience for me to learn about this rifle. Now if I could only get my hands on a 1944 or 1945 M1 instead of a mid-1950's version...