M1 Garand - Trying to improve MOA

[lshel]

I want to accuraGlas bed my Garand stock to improve accuracy. I have an article "Accurizing an M1 Garand" by R. Craig Johnson dated 1/11/2003. It refers to diagrams in "The M-1 Rifle" a NRA publication PB 01660 that shows where to dremel cut grooves 1/4" deep and 1/8" wide to anchor bedding in stock top/bottom/inner inletting. Does anyone have a copy of these diagrams that they could provide copies? I searched NRA's website and could not find this book/pamplet to buy. I've never tried to bed a rifle before and want as much information to study before hand.

Edited March 5, 2013 by lshel

[lshel]

I ordered " The M1 Rifle" from E-bay and it had bedding diagram in it. I inletted grooves in top, inside and bottom of stock and applied Acraglass Gel to inletted areas and appiled clay to all holes/recesses and release agent to receiver/barrel and trigger housing. Now wait to tomorrow for all to set-up and I hopeful will have no problem in removing receiver/barrel and trigger group from the stock, Wish me good luck. My first try at bedding a rifle stock.

[Curiousgb]

If it gets hard to come out put it in the freezer. I bedded an M1 a long time ago. it wasn't too bad but I made sure I smothered it in release agent. 

[DMark]

Of all the tricks I have seen about making the M1 a better shooter, the stock ferrule seat is one of that is often overlooked. 

 

Great info at this link.

 

http://www.shotgunnews.com/2012/12/07/garand-accuracy-issues-stock-fit/

[dlm37015]

i send mine to a guy in atlanta hook bowden an old army amu gunsmith .the best i have ever seen

[lshel]

I disassembled bedding stock/receiver on Wednesday, not real difficult. It took some gentle tapping with rubber mallet and 1/2" wood towel to dislodge trigger group from inside top side and then to dislodge receive from stock tapping inside bottom side. worse part was cleaning out clay from recesses and release agent from receiver and trigger group. I also installed a Fulton Armory hooded aperature sight to replace original aperature. Took some silght file fitting of aperature to base. Next is restaining stock to a gunstock walut stain,  stock filler, then boiled linseed oil finish.

 

"The M1 Rifle" also has some pages on free floating the front and rear handguards to no contact barrel. If this is done then the rifle can not be handled by these handguards for stability is fragile. I do not plan on doing this. I will reassemble M1 and shoot in about a week after bedding is completely cured.

 

If anyone has any more suggesting, I would appreciate the input.

[lshel]

My bedding should be completely cured (week) and the boiled linseed oiled stock is finished. Now when the weather clears up, I will shoot and see if group size is reduced. I also ordered an Amega Ranges M1 Scout Scope mount so I can use a scope with my 60+ years eyes. This should give be a better idea of any reduced group size at 100 yds.

[lshel]

I've shot the M1 at 100 yds after bedding and adding hooded .0595" aperature sight. Grouping improved but with 65+ eyes and glasses, groups tended to move horizontal.

I have a Amega Ranges Scout scope mount ordered. This is suppose to also reduce barrel harmonics the way it is fastened to barrel. I'm hoping with a scope, I'll be more consistent and MOA will be more rifle than my eyesight/rifle. I have some pistol variable scopes upto 4 power and some higher powered rifle scopes to try. I'm afraid a rifle scope maybe in way of case ejecting.

Edited March 5, 2013 by lshel

[lshel]

Shot at 100 yds from bench using Canadian 150g M2 Ball with 2.75x Burris Scout scope. I shot 16 rounds, 2 clips. 5 rounds to sight in and last 11 rds grouped good.

I'm satisfied with bedding and Amega Ranges Scout Mount.

 

[LngRngShtr]

Start reloading,..

 

168 or a 173 SMK with IMR-4064 powder

 

heck my 147 fmj with IMR-4895 handloads (ball equiv.) outshoot surplus so almost any well built handload will improve your groups

 

I am sure the Gurus can tell you why the rifle is grouping horizontally

 

John

[lshel]

I have the powder IMP4895, dies, and primers but unable to find any bullets. I was looking on line for 168g Sierra BT.

[dlm37015]

I have the powder IMP4895, dies, and primers but unable to find any bullets. I was looking on line for 168g Sierra BT.

i have 5000 how many do you want

[lshel]

Dlm3705,

200-300 demending on price. I'm about 75 miles SE of Nashville off I24. How do I get to you?