M-1 Garand Question

[FrankD45]

I know that case extraction with a semi-automatic pistol will vary from load to load. Typically light loads will sometimes eject back toward the shooter while heavier loads will eject to the right/right rear. The question is does the Garand act the same way? Specifically I have started testing loads using IMR 4895. I loaded a 150 gr FMJBT over 47.0 gr of 4895. The rounds functioned flawlessly and were very accurate however, the cases were ejected forward and slightly to the right. Firing standard military surplus results in cases flying to the right and slightly to the rear.

Is this due to the light load I am using or is there something else I should be looking at?

Thanks for any help you may offer.

Frank

 

[2152hq]

There is a 'pattern' of sorts to Garand case ejection and there are quite a few discussions about it on the various M1 boards. Check on some of those and perhaps those more experienced with it can help out and diagnose if there is any problem.

The op-rod has alot to do with ejection in it's return movement. It's speed of return motion would be relevent I'd assume. The emptys hit the cam lug on the op-rod on it's return trip home.

IIRC the pattern is rds 1-7 landing at about 1 or 2 oclock,,and #8 further back at about 4 oclock.
#8 lands farther to the rear because it has no assist or push from the returning op-rod in ejection, being locked back after the last shot. All that ejects the last round is the spring loaded plunger in the bolt face pushing on the case head and popping the brass free as the case mouth clears the receiver ring.

All rifles vary a bit and some just throw emptys everywhere it seems.

 

[mkk41]

There are adjustable gas plugs available so ya can adjust for lighter or heavier loads in the Garand.

 

[tbury]

Most of the empties I have seen from my M1 with Greek CMP ammo hit between 1 and 2 O'clock. This is also what I have seen from other people's M1s and makes sense for a rifle frequently shot by a line of riflemen. I would expect that different loads would cause the position and distance of the empties to change. I would not worry about it.

 

[4inch357]

You do need to be careful with loads for your M1. Heavy loads can damage the gun. That being said here is a list of loads put out by the NRA some years back for the Garand:

Recommended .30 caliber M1 loadings from the NRA

147 - 155 grain FMJ or HPBT bullets
IMR 3031 - 48.0 grains
IMR 4895 - 49.0 grains (as you can see you are good to go)
IMR 4064 - 50.0 grains
W748 - 48.0 grains
AA2460 - 49.0 grains
AA2520 - 51.0 grains
AA2495 - 50.5 grains
H4895 - 49.0 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 49.0 grains
RL-12 - 48.0 grains


165/168 grain FMJ, HP or SP bullets
IMR 4895 - 47.0 grains
IMR 4094 - 48.0 grains
AA2520 - 47.5 grains
AA2495 - 47.0 grains
H4895 - 47.5 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 47.0 grains
RL-12 - 44.5 grains


173/175 grain FMJ or HPBT bullets
IMR 4895 - 46.0 grains
IMR 4064 - 47.0 grains
AA2460 - 46.0 grains
AA2495 - 46.0 grains
H4895 - 47.0 grains
BLC-2 - 48.0 grains

180 grain FMJ, SP or HPBT bullets
IMR 4895 - 43.0 grains
AA2460 - 46.5 grains
AA2495 - 45.5 grains
H4895 - 44.0 grains
BLC-2 - 47.5 grains
RL-12 - 41.5 grains

I have a M1 myself and cabaged on to the list when I ran across it.