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Will hard cast gas check bullets work in an M1 Garand?
- Thread starter Correia
- Start date
I've used lead in mine, no problem
I couldn't find any lead buildup anywhere. The port pressure is more than enough to "wash" the minor shavings away in a blast of very hot gas. I believe the lead is vaporized, condensing on the cooler surfaces like carbon dust and the like. Bore cleaners made for lead bullets readily remove this buildup.
The major problem is getting enough port pressure, normal reduced loads tend to malfunction. Stick with standard powders like 4895.
I couldn't find any lead buildup anywhere. The port pressure is more than enough to "wash" the minor shavings away in a blast of very hot gas. I believe the lead is vaporized, condensing on the cooler surfaces like carbon dust and the like. Bore cleaners made for lead bullets readily remove this buildup.
The major problem is getting enough port pressure, normal reduced loads tend to malfunction. Stick with standard powders like 4895.
Nonte, in his book "Modern Reloading" devotes a page or two to cast bullets in the Garand. His thoughts (and mine for whatever they are worth) is use them if you wish.
I use the 170 grain Lyman cast of pure linotype, lubed with an NRA formula beeswax/alox lube and gas checked, sitting on top of 43 grains of IMR4895. This load cycles the action and does not lead up the barrel or gas assembly.
I use the 170 grain Lyman cast of pure linotype, lubed with an NRA formula beeswax/alox lube and gas checked, sitting on top of 43 grains of IMR4895. This load cycles the action and does not lead up the barrel or gas assembly.
David Wile
New member
Hey folks,
I have had a Lyman 150 grain Loverin gas check design double cavity bullet mould for thirty plus years, and it has worked well in every .30 cal rifle I have ever tried it, including my three M1 Garands. I size the bullets to .309 for regular .30 cal stuff, and I even get good results when lubed in a .311 sizer die and used in the SKS 7.62X39 cartridge. Come to think of it, I did try the same .311 in an AK-47, and it did not do very well in it. Then again, neither did Russian jacketed bullets, so maybe the AK is not a good choice for consideration.
In any case, yes, gas checked cast bullets can be used very effectively in the Garand, and I recommend the Loverin design.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
I have had a Lyman 150 grain Loverin gas check design double cavity bullet mould for thirty plus years, and it has worked well in every .30 cal rifle I have ever tried it, including my three M1 Garands. I size the bullets to .309 for regular .30 cal stuff, and I even get good results when lubed in a .311 sizer die and used in the SKS 7.62X39 cartridge. Come to think of it, I did try the same .311 in an AK-47, and it did not do very well in it. Then again, neither did Russian jacketed bullets, so maybe the AK is not a good choice for consideration.
In any case, yes, gas checked cast bullets can be used very effectively in the Garand, and I recommend the Loverin design.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
David Wile
New member
Hey folks,
If I may throw out one additional note, I would like to mention that I have had very good results with the slower burners like 4831 and 4350. I also loaded the 150 grain cast bullets to the 2000 FPS velocities with those slow powders.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
If I may throw out one additional note, I would like to mention that I have had very good results with the slower burners like 4831 and 4350. I also loaded the 150 grain cast bullets to the 2000 FPS velocities with those slow powders.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile