The Noob Garand Build!

July 26

My handguards arrived today, ordered them from Liberty tree. They look like repros, waaay too nice to be surplus. Buttstock should be in next week, at that time I’ll know what will be needed in terms of refinishing.

The receiver, barrel and bolt are on their way back from Nick @ Vulcan, crazy fast turn around!

I made some dummy rounds and loaded my first enbloc clip. I finally picked up some IMR4895, time to start loading!

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where did you find the oprod? I see trade ex is out of bolts.....

Numrich has some but they are horrendously over priced. Lots on Ebay but shipping out of the US, make sure the seller uses USPS instead of their global shipping option, shouldnt have any issues at customs this way.

The retailer who shall not be named has complete bolts for sale, a bit steep @$200 but I threw in a request and got a NOS Springfield Armoury, worth it.
 
How is the build going? I am headed home from base this week and will finally be able to put the rest of my rifle together! I think I will stain the wood a dark colour, Ill post a few pics once its done
 
Aug 2

Received 1 of 2 packages from gunpartscorp. Clip latch/pin, handguard stiffner (which I now don’t need), NM marked front sight and a repro buttplate. Barreled receiver should be here for the weekend, last pieces will arrive early next week.

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Aug 3

Canada post delivered ahead of schedule, finally have everything! Now I’ve got to decide how to finish the stock. Stain? BLO? Tung oil?

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Aug 5

I ended up finishing the stock with Boiled linseed oil. I’m really happy with the finish and the smell aint bad either!

Yesterday afternoon I took my time assembling the rifle, all those hours of Youtube research made it pretty straight forward. The gas cylinder went on nice and tight, had to use a hammer and block of wood. Rear sight was a bit of a struggle for me but I finally got it after finding a good how to video.

The only part not installed is the rear sling swivel. The bolt and swivel had a different thread pitch for some reason, I’m unsure if I should find a new bolt or swivel.

Here are a couple pics and a video:

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Aug 8

Got it out to the range on monday morning. Completed the barrel break in and zerod my sights. Shot some groups at 50 with a variety of loads (147gr FMJ, 150gr SP, 168gr BTHP) and rang the hell out of the 100yr gongs.

I found I was too conservative with my powder charges and had quite a few short strokes. I’m going to measure the OAL and work my 147gr load up with the chrono at some point soon. I’d really like to see what this rifle is capable of.

I’m really happy with how it turned out, and came out under my anticipated budget.

Shout out to tradex for sourcing a couple parts and Nick @ Vulcan for the amazing service!

I’ll update this thread once I’ve dialed in a load, thanks for reading.
 
Aug 20

Spent some time at the range yesterday morning trying out a few different loads @ 100yrds. I’m accustomed to shooting with glass or some sort of optic, so shooting with irons has been a bit of a learning experience for me. First lesson is that I’m using the wrong targets, very difficult to get a consistant hold on the centre of this target as it just looks like a black square. Lesson 2 - I need to start wearing my glasses I think. I require them for detail work and generally wear them while on the computer or watching TV, I think the would help in focusing on the front sight.

All said I’m EXTREMELY happy with how this rifle shoots, more to come as I spend more time with this rifle. Total round count now stands at 157.

First load was 47.5gr of IMR4895 with 147gr Campro BTFMJ. The group circled was my first 5 shots, adjusted windage and elevation and shot the second, nicer group of 5.
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*Note* The rest of these photos when uploaded were turned 90degrees, I can't seem to turn them back. The groups were shot with the target oriented as the photo above

Second load was 48gr of IMR4895
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3rd was 48.5gr of IMR4895
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I loaded some PRVI 168gr HPBT infront of 42.1gr of IMR4895 as per my Hornady manual. Not enough umph to fully cycle the bolt, I had to rack each round in.
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Aug 20

Spent some time at the range yesterday morning trying out a few different loads @ 100yrds. I’m accustomed to shooting with glass or some sort of optic, so shooting with irons has been a bit of a learning experience for me. First lesson is that I’m using the wrong targets, very difficult to get a consistant hold on the centre of this target as it just looks like a black square. Lesson 2 - I need to start wearing my glasses I think. I require them for detail work and generally wear them while on the computer or watching TV, I think the would help in focusing on the front sight.

All said I’m EXTREMELY happy with how this rifle shoots, more to come as I spend more time with this rifle. Total round count now stands at 157.

First load was 47.5gr of IMR4895 with 147gr Campro BTFMJ. The group circled was my first 5 shots, adjusted windage and elevation and shot the second, nicer group of 5.
View attachment 199632

*Note* The rest of these photos when uploaded were turned 90degrees, I can't seem to turn them back. The groups were shot with the target oriented as the photo above

Second load was 48gr of IMR4895
View attachment 199635

3rd was 48.5gr of IMR4895
View attachment 199636

I loaded some PRVI 168gr HPBT infront of 42.1gr of IMR4895 as per my Hornady manual. Not enough umph to fully cycle the bolt, I had to rack each round in.
View attachment 199638

Nice job on building that Garand, it looks very good. I found the best targets for iron sights is a 6" black round aiming mark on a white or buff background. Use the 6 o'clock front sight picture when aiming. Adjust the elevation to center the group on the black aiming mark. With a good solid bench position, you should get 2-3" groups at 100y. One of my most accurate loads (mild) is 48gr of H4895 and 155gr AMAX bullets.
 
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With a 150/155gr bullet 48gr of H4895, IMR4895 or IMR40964 will produce safe, reliable and accurate loads in a Garand. Some rifles like one propellant better than another. The same applies to M1903 Springfields or M1917 Enfields.
 
Thanks guys! I'll start looking for 6" targets and work away at getting those group sizes down over the winter months. Whats brass life like with the Garand? looks like it really gets beat up...
 
I wouldn't be looking for more than 4-5 reloads from brass used in a Garand. The rifle is hard on brass. Some caveats when reloading for a Garand;always FL resize, keep brass trimmed below max OAL case length, seat primers slightly below flush with the case head, stick to bullets in the 150 - 168gr weight range and only use propellants which are compatible with the rifle's operating system (H4895, IMR4895, IMR4064).
 
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