M1 Garand Range problem???

M1 Garand Range problem??

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I took my M1 out to the 200yard range today to test fire before perry. I was shooting HXP 70 ammo. The barrel is a VAR and all parts are USGI. When I started shooting, my POI would change. I shot 4 shots and they grouped @ 5 o'clock justout side the black, the next 4 shots grouped @ 1 o'clock just outside the black. I was using a leather sling and I was wondering if I could have been bending the barrel with pressure on the stock from the sling?

Stock has tight lock up with trigger group.
Rear HG has free space between the receiver.
Gas Cylinder is not touching the front hand guard ferrule.
Op Rod passes the tilt test.
Rear sight was tight and I could not push down the apature with my hand.
Receiver is a NEW HRA (very little use)
VAR barrel is indexed perfectly using the alignment fixture.




Any thoughts, I was chasing the bullets on this one all session. Just when I thought that I had a zero, my POI would change again.. Also when I gave 2 clicks of elevation my next POI was 8" higher? Something seemed really goofey.

Had this happen once with my NM. I was putting all kinds of dope on it. Went downhill from there shooting the Texas State Service Rifle Match. In desperation I decided to CLEAN it. Guess what - the front sight was loose.

FWIW I have an immaculate HRA with a new-appearing barrel. Arrington did a JCG accuracy job on it. Groups walk all over the place. My only M-1 that does that.

Was just reading a thread on one of these online sites(can't remember which one) about stock ferrule/lower band tension. See if yours is "free floating". If it is you may have a problem with the barrel changing as it heats up. Try adding cardboard shims(one each side or more as needed) from a matchbook or ammo box under the front sides of the receiver. The idea is to "lift" the front of the receiver so when you clamp down the trigger group it pulls the back of the receiver down and lifts the barrel upwards,basically pivoting on the shims. This will help bring the lower band into contact with the stock ferrule and keep slight pressure on the barrel. Try shooting it and see if there are any improvements. If so then you need a better properly fitted stock,glass bedding and/or a barrel swap for one that is'nt effected by heat as much.
Does your action have any fore/aft play in the stock? If so that could also be causing problems regardless of how tight the lockup is.

And... If the gas cylinder lock screw is loose, the cylinder, and with it the sights, will wiggle all over creation. Check the gas cylinder lock screw.

Bob

I found the the inside of the stock was touching the left side of the barrel. I relieved some wood here so I'll see it that does the job.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Griff Murphey

Had this happen once with my NM. [...] Guess what - the front sight was loose.

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Sorry to revive an old thread, but the same thing happened to me today. Front sight was loose, and I was wondering what I was doing wrong, as I couldn't hit anything. I noticed the sight was loose when it finally came off in the middle of a clip.

Never seen that before. Learn something new every day.

The loose gas plug could do it as well. You also have not said if you were shooting those first shots in an oily barrel. M1 are superbly accurate but very susceptible to small problems.