The Load in M1917

[Wineman]

That taller front sight is the way to go, but the huge aperture at the rear and the usual windage issues with slower bullets is another source of frustration. I have found that using 25 grains less in bullet weight and 3-5 grains more powder (Speer TNT; 4895 burning rate powder, 2,900 fps) I have less recoil and am fairly close to the POI of M2 Ball ammo. Regardless, it is still not a 22LR or even a 223 in recoil or muzzle blast but it is a noticeable reduction.

Dave

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[Patrick Chadwick]

but the huge aperture at the rear

No problem.

Piece of black sleeving off a single-core cable, push-fit in the aperture, slide onto thick needle for alignment while gluing, a drop of impact adhesive (Pattex, Thixofix). Sorted.

Next question.

[ticker]

I have found that using 25 grains less in bullet weight and 3-5 grains more powder (Speer TNT; 4895 burning rate powder, 2,900 fps) I have less recoil and am fairly close to the POI of M2 Ball ammo.

I used a similar load: Hodgdon's website's "reduced load" for H4895 and 125gr Speer TNT (less powder, rather than more powder like you used). I did find that the 125 gr bullets were less tolerant of rough handling, unless you wanted a really short OAL and seated them deeper. But they shot well. Between the 125 gr bullet, and the reduced load, I'd say that recoil was about 50% of milsurp M2 ball ammo. With the reduced recoil, I could shoot using olympic standing position, supporting the rifle on a fist, which I use for 223 and 22LR. When I shoot milsurp M2 ball ammo in offhand position, I extend two fingers on the support hand (like the "Hook 'em Horns" hand-sign) to keep the rifle on the support hand, which is less comfortable.

[seabreeze133]

I have had good luck w/11.1 gr Unique, WW large rifle rifle primers and a 311041 plain base cast w/ straight linotype that weighed about 155 gr. 311 diameter. Normal 31101 GC w/Water cooled wheel weights weighs about 174 gr.

The load was in a custom 1903A3 w/glass bedded Boyds C stock, 20" barrel, Redfield rear and a Thompkins globe front site.

seabreeze

---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------

I have had good luck w/11.1 gr Unique, WW large rifle rifle primers and a 311041 plain base cast w/ straight linotype that weighed about 155 gr. 311 diameter. Normal 311041 GC w/Water cooled wheel weights weighs about 174 gr.

The load was in a custom 1903A3 w/glass bedded Boyds C stock, 20" barrel, Redfield rear and a Thompkins globe front site.

seabreeze