M1 Carbine reloading data

Pantheon · July 18, 2012, 02:21:14 AM

I recently picked up a Universal at a decent price, so I am thinking about trying to use it for ZS, but knowing their normal factory loads are in the 1900fps range, I am trying to get into reloading them and was curious if anyone had any advice for reduced loads?

HKUriah · December 21, 2012, 05:05:38 PM

Quote from: Pantheon on July 18, 2012, 02:21:14 AM
I recently picked up a Universal at a decent price, so I am thinking about trying to use it for ZS, but knowing their normal factory loads are in the 1900fps range, I am trying to get into reloading them and was curious if anyone had any advice for reduced loads?

Question: Are we allowed to post loading data on this forum/

I am planning to start reloading M1 Carbine in the very near future. I plan to develop two loads, one that is a as close as I can get to milspec loads, but also a "light" load that perhaps I can use for ZS on occasion if I'm bored with my Tommyguns. (Yeah, right.)

If I can find a light load, and if it's okay to do so, I'll post it here. If it's not okay to post it, I'll post that I've developed it, and anyone can ask me for it.

Is that fair?

HKUriah · December 27, 2012, 10:45:35 AM

Well, couple of days ago, I picked up my .30 Carbine dies, and as such, had an itch to start experimenting with low power loads.

Problem, I don't have any cast carbine bullets on hand, yet.

So, I ordered some.

But, while I was cleaning up my reloading bench, I did come across some 92 grain .310" cast bullets for use in the .30 Mauser, and figured, well, why not?

(I won't shoot jacketed in my basement...)

Long story short, I could make the gun go "bang" but could not get the action to cycle. Maybe the 115 grain .309s I orderd will have better luck. If I can't make them work, I'll try experimenting with different powders to see what I can come up with. Until then, stay tuned.

Bat 2919 · December 27, 2012, 06:10:29 PM

I know we've had this conversation before somewhere but I can't find the info right now.

I'm not going to put loading data on this site but I'll refer you to the Lyman Reloading Handbook. In the rifle (not pistol) section my book (47th edition on page 263/264) shows loading data for the #311410 130 Gr. lead bullet using four different powders (Unique, SR-4756, 2400 & IMR-4225) all with starting loadings in the 1100 to 1200 fps range and even the max load of SR-4756 is under 1400 fps.

Looks like Mid South has the bullet mold in stock here:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000152660410

Or you can buy the bullets from Western Bullet Co.

http://www.westernbullet.com/ly3gr18.html

Hope that helps.

Border Ruffian · December 30, 2012, 12:12:32 PM

Quote from: Bat 2919 on December 27, 2012, 06:10:29 PM
I know we've had this conversation before somewhere but I can't find the info right now.

I'm not going to put loading data on this site but I'll refer you to the Lyman Reloading Handbook. In the rifle (not pistol) section my book (47th edition on page 263/264) shows loading data for the #311410 130 Gr. lead bullet using four different powders (Unique, SR-4756, 2400 & IMR-4225) all with starting loadings in the 1100 to 1200 fps range and even the max load of SR-4756 is under 1400 fps.

Looks like Mid South has the bullet mold in stock here:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000152660410

Or you can buy the bullets from Western Bullet Co.

http://www.westernbullet.com/ly3gr18.html

Hope that helps.

This is great information. I can't wait to experiment with this bullett.

Lumpy Grits · December 30, 2012, 04:20:46 PM

Cast bullets and the carbine's gas port don't mix well.
LG

Border Ruffian · December 31, 2012, 01:42:52 PM

Quote from: Lumpy Grits on December 30, 2012, 04:20:46 PM
Cast bullets and the carbine's gas port don't mix well.
LG

That's a concern I have, I better bone up on how to clean the port and the piston.

Lumpy Grits · December 31, 2012, 02:03:20 PM

It was built for a jacketed bullet. With such, the gas system is self-cleaning.
LG

HKUriah · January 19, 2013, 04:47:40 PM

Well, I went to Loaddata.com and I found some loads listed for 115 grain lead bullets using HS-6 that had velocities listed between 1061 and 1189 for the minimum and max loads listed.

I figured, "Aha! Here's what we need to use the Carbine in AZSA!"

So, loaded up 3 rounds of the min charge.

Would not cycle the action.

Loaded up 3 rounds of a middle of the range.

Cycled the action enough to eject empties, but not to chamber a new round.

That didn't bother me. I've had similar experiences working up loads for .45 ACP an 9mm. Just keep getting closer to the max, and you'll find one that works.

Loaded up 3 rounds, .1 grain less than the max

Ejected empties, but did not chamber a new one.

Loaded up 3 with a max charge.

First round did not eject. When I cylcled by hand, I got a malfunction...

I quit, and I am comfused.

Any suggestions?

HKUriah · January 20, 2013, 03:12:57 PM

Addendum...

Fired off 3 more max loads.

All were ejected fine, but the action did not cycle enough to chamber another round.

Darn it!

Maybe I'll try a different powder that lists loads that are slightly higher muzzle velocity, but still low enough to be acceptable.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 20, 2013, 05:42:14 PM

Quote from: HKUriah on January 20, 2013, 03:12:57 PM
Addendum...

Fired off 3 more max loads.

All were ejected fine, but the action did not cycle enough to chamber another round.

Darn it!

Maybe I'll try a different powder that lists loads that are slightly higher muzzle velocity, but still low enough to be acceptable.

I have never owned or fired one, but what is the recommended lube procedure on these? It might make a difference.

Bat 2919 · January 22, 2013, 09:10:08 AM

HK,

Let me start out by saying I've never attempted to make this work. I did work on a .351 Winchester a year or two ago and will pass on what I found.

I think you're attempting to use too light a bullet. When you attempting to get a rifle that's happy at 1900 fps to function at 1400 fps you need the biggest slowest moving pill going down the barrel building up enough pressure (but not too much of course) to get that action to function. If it were me I would start with the 130 Gr. bullet and if I couldn't make that work I would be looking for something even heaver.

Just my two cents. Good luck.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 22, 2013, 10:16:47 AM

Makes sense to me, Bat. With cast bullets in an M1 carbine do you have to clean the gas port often? (Don't know this gun, yet.)

pony express · January 22, 2013, 10:20:49 AM

I would think also that you would need to use a fairly slow burning powder, so there would be enough pressure at the gas port, using pistol type powders might cause an early pressure peak, then lower pressure by the time the bullet passes the gas port.

rickk · April 02, 2013, 11:45:44 AM

I'm not going to post loading data... no need to... plenty of it out there, but I will mention that H110 was originally developed for the .30 carbine round.

It is slow burning so it develops lots of energy without the pressure going too high. It works great in many magnum handgun cartridges as well.

If you use the published data, you may see "recommendations" of a good, tight crimp and the use of magnum primers too. Those are more than "recommendations". The burn is so slow that without them, it will go out before it really gets started, resulting in squib loads right and left. Also, heed not only the max recommended loads but also the min recommended loads. Excessively light loads result in erratic ignition too.

Have fun !

Rick