Is this a good grouping at 300m

[stefor]

I finally got to shoot my CMP M1 Garand service grade. Zeroed at 100m and got 2 and 3 inch groups. However, at 300m I grouped at 4.5 and 5 inches. Is this what I should expect out of this weapon? Personally I am very happy. Never could have had a decent 300m group with the M16. It came with a new CMP stock and was 1+ and 3+ T & M. Many thanks for any insight on getting better groups with iron sights. Thanks.

[bd1]

Send up some pics if you got 'em, and maybe we can be more help. What you've reported for 300M would be good performance for a .30 cal gas gun with iron sights shooting milsurp ammo.

[stefor]

Thanks, I shot commercial ball ammo. Here is a pic of the back of the target, you could not see the holes otherwise. The group with the triangle marking is the first group, I adjusted up and of course pulled one round. My fault, not the guns. The triangle varies between 4.5 and 6 in.

[SMOKEY]

Hell that you can see a target at 300M is amazing to me

[joem]

If it was me I wouldn't use commercial ammo. Some of it is pretty hot and not really made for a Garand (high port pressure).

[psteinmayer]

My Garand measured 0 and .5+ (T & M) when I purchased it last year. It shoots pretty tight groups at 100 and 200 yards with military M2 Ball ammo. My brother-in-law just purchased the absolute "Last" CMP Special that they had in the North Store last Saturday... an SA with all new parts (new barrel, trigger group, etc.). I can't wait to see how it shoots.

[p246]

At 300 yards those are good groups with iron sights

[stefor]

Just to clarify, I was shooting American Eagle which was specifically made for the M1. Got it from Cabelas.

[p246]

Just to clarify, I was shooting American Eagle which was specifically made for the M1. Got it from Cabelas.

Still a good group even if you were playing by the rules

[Sunray]

4 to 6 inches at 300 is nothing to sneeze at. However, if you're not reloading, you'll have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo your rifle shoots best. And shoot off a solid rest.
Try a box of Federal's Gold Medal with the 168 grain MatchKings. Costly, but better ammo matters. Federal makes a 150 grain HPBT in their American Eagle brand too.
Just remember that when you get over this factory ammo obsession, Federal brass is softer than other brands. Only means it won't last as long.
Hornady loads a 168 grain A-Max specifically for the M1 too. Mind you, all of that M1 Specific ammo stuff is marketing.
"...even if you were playing by the rules..." Whose rules?

[da gimp]

He really needs to pick up a good RCBS Rockchucker press (at least) setup, and start learning how to produce good reloads.......especially if he has any good friends that can teach him................

[The Wizard]

Considering that the acceptable accuracy for a rebuilt U. S. Rifle, caliber .30, M1 was approximately 6.4 MOA, I would say your 4.5 to 5 inch group at 300 m with a service grade CMP M1 is very good.

[stefor]

Thanks everyone for your comments! I bought the M1 from a friend who is seriously pushing me to do my own reloads with accuracy in mind. I am looking at a match grade front sight to see if that helps pull it in tighter while I make a decision on the reloading issue. Thanks again. sjf

Oh, and if the picture confused you, it confused me also. My cell phone does not know up from down and the pic is posted upside down. The two with the pulled shot, were in/near the nine ring (second group) which can be seen very lightly through the paper.

[The Wizard]

Stefor, what kind of accuracy our you looking to achieve? You do know that standard M1's are only design to achieve minute of man accuracy.

[stefor]

Actually I am looking at just a tiny bit more as I am very happy with my first outing. I think the thinner blade of a natioal match front sight might help a little. My primary problem is that the rear sight is zerod out and I am still shooting 6 in high at 100m. Not an issue at 300. My front sight is std height, so am looking a milling the real sight to see if I can lower it further. Getting a good zero in the bul at 100ml is my real desire.

[bd1]

Reads like somebody has already filed the front sight post to facilitate longer distance shooting with fewer clicks up at the rear. If your rear sight is all the way to the bottom that's what you'll have to live with. Sometimes the forward edge of the aperture ladder can be beveled to give the shooter 2 to 4 more clicks down. Worth taking a look at. Best things you can do for your shooting improvement will be 1) more trigger time and 2) load your own ammo with good bullets.

[The Wizard]

If your rear sight is "zero'd" out in elevation and you are still 6 inches high at 100 m, there is something definitely wrong with your rifle. According to FM 23-8, Basic Field Manual, U. S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1, dated 30 July 1943 the initial sight setting for a 200 yard zero is 10 click of elevation and windage at zero.