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Old 10-07-2018, 03:47 PM
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tndrfttom tndrfttom is offline
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There is a brief section entitled "These Loads and Cast Bullets Work the Action of the M1 Rifle" in Lyman's 1958 Cast Bullets reloading manual. IMR 4895 and 3031 powders were used with the Lyman 311334 cast bullet (about 195 grains). No velocities were given. Using this data as a starting point I loaded some ammo (50 rounds as I remember) and shot it in a couple of M1s. The rifles functioned but accuracy wasn't very good - groups were about twice the size as jacketed ammo. (Bullets were sized .309 and .311 and were cast of straight lineotype metal). I don't remember having any leading in the barrel or gas piston.

Some years later I tried developing some cast loads with the 311413 bullet and IMR4895 to shoot in my Match M1A but again, accuracy left a lot to be desired.

I do still cast .30 caliber bullets but reserve them for bolt action rifles like the Krag, Springfield, 1917 Enfield and Lee Enfield. Accuracy in these is better but I dont try to dive them as fast as the ones for the M1.
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