M1 Garand

The SA Inc site doesn't show prices either. The MSRP was $1061US. You can have one from PS for $600 to $700Cdn. There's an H&R with a 1954 barrel that'd be ok. PS1094
 
How accurate is a standard M-1 Garand?

I see all kind of threads here about Lee Enfields, Mausers, Nagants, SVT's, etc... but not all that much in regards to the M-1 in everyday use.

Not too much in the way of pics either. Maybe those of you with $650 beaters are ashamed of posting pics? :confused:
 
Garand stuff

This one is pretty cool...Not mint, but good, used, and it is a pre-war 1940 receiver numbered under 100k that was rebuilt for Korea in 1951.
Cheers Paul

EarlyGarand001.jpg
 
I sold my Danish Garand for 1G

Fulton Armory stock
NM front & rear sight
Adjustable gas system
Mint bore
Mint park
NM sling
Cheek rest


Aghhhhhhhhhhh.... Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW Springfield armory (w ww.springfield-armory.com) not to be confused with the original US Springfield armory (http://www.nps.gov/spar/) is not that good. They use ex out of service GI parts and they are crap. Your better off going to PS Miltaria and buying be real M1. Jean is a real good guy, top notch...

http://www.nps.gov/spar is a place every gun owner should go to. The Museum Exhibits are unbelievable.......Drool.....gulp. drool...


Pete
 
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M1 Garand accuracy

Assuming that the barrel is sound with a good crown and without undue muzzle and throat erosion, that operating rod fit is tight without contacting the lower band,stock,stock ferrule or front handguard liner during it's operating cycle,that the gas cylinder is tight on barrel splines,that rear sight is tight,that handguards are properly clearanced,that stock fit is tight up and down and fore and aft,that the lower band is tight on the barrel,and that the gas cylinder lock is tight at or before the 9 o'clock position,one should generally expect 3 shot groups of 1.5" off the bench @100 yds using match grade bullets in properly assembled handloads. A properly set up rifle will deliver repeatability from shot to shot which is the key to accuracy.Run of the mill military ball ammo is only capable of 2.5 MOA at best,so accuracy will be diminished accordingly.Shooter proficiency is the other leg on the accuracy stool after rifle condition and ammo quality. I would avoid the currently made Springfield Armory rifles.They employ cast receivers,rather than the superior forged receivers of the "real" Garands,and are over-priced to boot.
 
I am not very good with the peep sights yet, but I love my Garand!
I handloaded 150 gr FMJ rounds to try and replicate the original M1 ammo, and with a starting load I managed about 5" groups at 100 yards once I got it reasonably sighted in. So I can put them all in a pie plate at 100 yards off a bench rest, but I believe I can do better with more practice. I really wish I could scope it to tell the truth!
Still it's awesome!
 
There's something about an M1 Rifle that no other rifle has. I think it's the balance.
"...the original M1 ammo..." The rifle was designed to use .30 M1 ammo with its 174.5 grain bullet at 2640fps. Not .30 M2 ammo with its 152 grain bullet at 2700fps(raised in 1940 to 2800fps to match the ballistics of the .30 AP's 168 grain bullet.
The latest Hornady manual has a chapter of M1 Rifle specific loads. Mind you, a 165 grain hunting bullet and 168 or 175 grain match bullets with IMR4064 and regular large rifle primers works well too. 150's will do nicely, but the .30-06 loves the heavier bullets. Sierra makes a 150 grain Matchking and Gameking. They make a 150 grain FMJBT Gameking too.
IMR4895 was the U.S. military powder used in both .30 M1 and M2 ammo, but IMR4064 gives more consistent accuracy. Varget is another option. Haven't used it myself though.
"...with a starting load..." Work up the load.
"...not very good with the peep sights yet..." Look through the rear sight at the front sight blade. Sit the bull on top and pull the trigger smoothly. Dry firing is excellent practice for sight picture and trigger control. A trigger shoe will help with the trigger pull weight.
M1's do not take to being scoped well. Drilling and tapping will drop the value in half. A scope won't make any rifle that doesn't shoot well with iron sights better either. They only allow you to see the target better.
 
My M1 is post-war Italian, BMR and is in nice shape. Can't say much for my groupings as the only time I've fired it at 100 yards...well, our targets weren't durable and the conditions were less then ideal. The targets held up for most ofthe shooting, but the last 2 clips I fired at them basically obliterated them.

I've just been using Federal SP 150gr. It seems to feed okay, and I've not trouble with it.
 
I was loading 150 FMJBT from Sierra, who said clearly in the load specs not to exceed 2700 fps or to use anything other than a medium burning powder. I went with the 150 bullets, because my Garand is a late serial number (almost 6 million), so I figured it may have been set up for the M2 ball. So if I take that to heart that's the best load I can use for the 150 gr Sierras (46 grains of 4895), but I am interested in your load using 4064 and a heavier bullet to see what the diff would be. My book has a load for 4064 as well.
I actually am planning on cooking up a usable hunting load and trying for deer with the Garand in the fall. Anyone tried doing that yet? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread! lol
 
Picked up one at S.I.R years ago,forget how much,couple 100 I think,It shoots better than my eyesite allows,The neat thing with mine it shoots what ever round I have tried to the same point of aim.150gr 165,180 etc.
the only thing I hate is have never been able to get all the grease out of the stock, its still weeping a bit even now
 
shot a moose few years back with my garand moose was totally satisfied........


jimpruner said:
I was loading 150 FMJBT from Sierra, who said clearly in the load specs not to exceed 2700 fps or to use anything other than a medium burning powder. I went with the 150 bullets, because my Garand is a late serial number (almost 6 million), so I figured it may have been set up for the M2 ball. So if I take that to heart that's the best load I can use for the 150 gr Sierras (46 grains of 4895), but I am interested in your load using 4064 and a heavier bullet to see what the diff would be. My book has a load for 4064 as well.
I actually am planning on cooking up a usable hunting load and trying for deer with the Garand in the fall. Anyone tried doing that yet? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread! lol
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