reduced cast bullet load for Garand?

[BullRunBear]

Years ago I worked up a load for an ‘03 Springfield. It is a sweet, mild round that is very accurate out to 150 yards. I’ve retired that rifle since it’s a low number gun from 1917. Can’t afford to replace it any time soon (saving for a custom flintlock) so was wondering if it might work in my CMP Garand.

The round is a 168 gr. Bullet cast from wheel weights, gas checked, from a Lee mold and lubed with Liquid Alox. I use the Lee collet die set to load once the brass is fire formed. I used approx. 25 grs of SR4759. I’ll have to check my notes when I can find them but I recall that is about the charge and gave relatively low pressure and a little under 2,000 fps. The load never gave a hint of leading. Only used it single shot.

Questions:

Should this load cycle the Garand and eject the brass?

I would always start with fresh, fully sized brass. But once shot in the Garand can I just neck size or must I fully resize the brass each time? The rounds would be loaded only single shot.

Those single shot adapters for the Garand (the one at Midway gets good reviews) seem like a nice convenience. I have big hands and M1 thumb is always a possibility. Any experience with these adapters?

The Garand is my only center fire semi rifle, the others are bolt actions. I’ve never reloaded for it, just used the standard jacketed, M2 ammo, so I’m out of my depth.

Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

Jeff

 

[Sport45]

I've never tried cast bullets in my M1 but have read mixed reviews about them. Most seem to center around lead and lube buildup in the gas port and cylinder. I suggest you join the forums on Culver's Shooting Page and search there. There are folks there that don't do anything but M1/M14/M1A.

 

[Taroman]

Another item of concern with this would be the burning rate of that powder. The Garand gas system was built around IMR 4895's burn rate. Faster or slower powders have different pressure spikes that may damage the operating rod (bad).

If I was to try firing such a load in my Garand (which I personally would not), I would first install an adjustable gas plug to allow me to dial in the action.

 

[highbrow]

Go to the "castboolits" website. Lots of info on loading cast for M1A and Garand.

 

[BullRunBear]

Thanks for the references and advice. I'll check out those sites for curiosity's sake but won't go with reduced loads in the Garand for now. Learned I can use the same bullet in 30-30 ammo for the Marlin 336. In the meantime I'll start working up standard loads for the Garand; ones that meet the pressure requirements. I prefer to keep it in as issued condition. And it's the only centerfire in my arsenal that I don't reload for.

Thanks again.

Jeff

 

[jcwit]

Just a tip for those wanting an inexpensive bullet for 30/06

http://www.gibrass.com/projectiles.html

He has excellant prices on powder also.