straight-shooter
New member
I just finished with many hours of study on various websites on the net trying to formulate a good cast lead load for my M1 Garand.
I full length sized the brass and pushed the shoulder back .005" and trimmed to 2.484
Then it was on to the lead. I added 2% tin to the wheel weight lead for better fill out in the mold. I casted about 300 of the Lee C309-200-1R bullet which is a 200gr. Initially I thought a 200 grain bullet was too heavy for a Garand but it turns out that a lead 200 grainer is what is recommended by people who are better in the know than I am (Castboolits.com). These bullets turned out exceptional by using the tin.
Now it's on to the 30 cal gas checks, sizing and lubing. A little mod on the top punch on my Lyman 450 lubrasizer and I was in business.
After loading the Varget powder I added a tuft of 1 grain Decron filler which is said to aid in better pressure and accuracy. We will see! Decron is basically the same thing you see used inside of pillows and stuffed animals. By adding 1 grain of Decron it's considered part of the load so It adds 1 grain to your powder charge. Another plus is it keeps the powder at the bottom of the case on the primer for better ignition.
Now it's all down hill from here ......
FORMULA:
DEN Military 30 cal Brass
Lee C309-200-1R Bullet Sized to .310
32, 33, 34, 35gr Varget
CCI LR Primer
3.210 OAL
1gr of Decron filler
I made up 12 bullets for initial firing ranging from 32, 33, 34 and 35 grains of Varget. Initially I'm starting low at 32gr which I don't expect to cycle the action but do expect it to at 33 and 34 gr. From there I'll look for a velocity between 1,850 and 1,950 fps on the Chrono and finally I'll tune for accuracy.
Only slight mishap is I found that my seating stem had a slightly sharp edge and ringed the top of the bullets but not enough to cause any problem but I've since fixed this by polishing the edge of it.
I full length sized the brass and pushed the shoulder back .005" and trimmed to 2.484
Then it was on to the lead. I added 2% tin to the wheel weight lead for better fill out in the mold. I casted about 300 of the Lee C309-200-1R bullet which is a 200gr. Initially I thought a 200 grain bullet was too heavy for a Garand but it turns out that a lead 200 grainer is what is recommended by people who are better in the know than I am (Castboolits.com). These bullets turned out exceptional by using the tin.
Now it's on to the 30 cal gas checks, sizing and lubing. A little mod on the top punch on my Lyman 450 lubrasizer and I was in business.
After loading the Varget powder I added a tuft of 1 grain Decron filler which is said to aid in better pressure and accuracy. We will see! Decron is basically the same thing you see used inside of pillows and stuffed animals. By adding 1 grain of Decron it's considered part of the load so It adds 1 grain to your powder charge. Another plus is it keeps the powder at the bottom of the case on the primer for better ignition.
Now it's all down hill from here ......
FORMULA:
DEN Military 30 cal Brass
Lee C309-200-1R Bullet Sized to .310
32, 33, 34, 35gr Varget
CCI LR Primer
3.210 OAL
1gr of Decron filler
I made up 12 bullets for initial firing ranging from 32, 33, 34 and 35 grains of Varget. Initially I'm starting low at 32gr which I don't expect to cycle the action but do expect it to at 33 and 34 gr. From there I'll look for a velocity between 1,850 and 1,950 fps on the Chrono and finally I'll tune for accuracy.
Only slight mishap is I found that my seating stem had a slightly sharp edge and ringed the top of the bullets but not enough to cause any problem but I've since fixed this by polishing the edge of it.