Need a little M1 Garand help

[hardlyworking]

Goal:
Make a reduced recoil 30-06 Garand load for fun/plinking at shorter ranges (200 yards and in)

Reloading Data:
Sierra 125gr TMK flat base bullets with Hodgdon 4895 reduced power loads 48 grains down to 37 grains powder charge in 1gr increments. 3.33 inches OAL

Single load into the chamber, try to get the en block clip down and ride the bolt over it.

Action Data:
@ 48 grains I got the action to lock back and en block PING!
@ 47 grains case extracted, no ping
@ 46 grains case extracted, no ping
@ 45 grains I got the action to lock back and en block PING!

@ 44 grains through 37 grains the case always extracted, but I never got lock back nor the clip launching out. Down at the lower ends of the powder charge weights I was getting lots of soot 2/3s down the case probably due to not expanding the brass enough to seal off the chamber, so I can only go so far down before I start polluting my chamber.

Noob question:
Is it possible that *I* caused the failure to eject the clip by being scared of the action eating my thumb?

Is it possible that many other grain weights could have locked the action back if I had just pushed the clip and "elevator" down far enough?

Thank you for your help!

[beerman]

Sounds like your running your M1 too dry...grease it up.

[93chipper]

[alpha_romeo_XV]

I use an adjustable gas plug in one of my M1s and once adjusted for the load it locks back on 110g bullets with reduced powder charges.

[highpower790]

Run closer to milspec for trouble free shooting.

[sofbak]

If you got the clip in, got a round in it, and were able to close the bolt and chamber the round, you pushed everything in far enough. Your Garand is short-cycling. Bolt and op rod come back far enough to eject the case, but not far enough for the op rod to engage the catch and thus trip the clip latch.

First thing to do is ensure the gun is properly lubricated (including the op rod spring inside the op rod). Then do the "Garand tilt test"(google it). If it fails the tilt test, look for binding/friction between the op rod and; the handguard ferrule/channel, lower band, or the stock.

9 down, 13 to go.

[John Browning]

You will wreck the rifle if you load outside of milspec for the Garand.