My Absolute Best M1 Garand Accuracy Enhancement

[USNAVYCHIEF(Ret)]

The venerable M1 Garand!  Everyone should have one.

My first competitive shooting event, aside from Appleseed was a CMP As Issued JC Garand Match.

That match is shot at 200 yards on the SR target.  The 10 ring on the SR target is 3.5~ MOA and the aiming black inclusive of the 9 ring is a whopping 6.5 MOA.

But, my score was deplorable.

I then took up high power rifle and rarely went back to the wood rifles until recently.

A friend that is a big time wood rifle competitor, advised me to change the rear aperture/peep from the one the rifle came with to a smaller size.

shootingsights.com sells this aperture and I bought one for my 1903A3, 1917 and 2 for my M1 Garands.

The smaller aperture is absolutely legal for as issued JC Garand matches.

My first match using the smaller aperture resulted in my first medal with the Garand.

Why is that?

Well...when sighting thru any aperture, sight alignment is critical.  Maintaining sight alignment thru the trigger squeeze is critical to hitting exactly where we are aiming at.

A smaller aperture will absolutely result in a smaller error in sight alignment, of which will improve accuracy in maintaining that sight alignment.

So, for those that did not know about this little gem of info, consider that.  Shootingsights.com (Art is the owner), sells them for a fair price.  It is very easy to replace yourself at home.

You could also use JB weld and make your own smaller aperture.  Don't go too small, or you will have issues seeing the front sight in dim lighting conditions though, and rain can be an issue as well...be prepared to blow the rain out if needed.

Give it a try....I bet your scores with the wood rifles improve.

R/
Chris

[TomMPR]

How do you decide which size to try first? 

[USNAVYCHIEF(Ret)]

I just ordered his standard size.  If you call him up (number on the website) he will help you along.

I told him "My intent is to use these for CMP Games matches, what do you recommend size wise"?

He shipped me what works.

It is about 1/2 the size of the original aperture, that is what I would estimate it to be.

Sorry I can't be of more assistance on this, as I have no idea where my receipt is.

R/
Chris

[TomMPR]

Thanks, and it's good to see you posting on the forum again. Reading some of your old posts has really helped my standing scores as a highpower shooter just starting out.

Tom Stelter

[HammBone]

Minor typo;

https://shootingsight.com/product-category/apertures/

[Bobasan]

I have the .052" hoods on my M1s and M1A match rifles and really do prefer that size apeture.  With the larger apetures I find it takes a lot more concentration on sight alignment/sight picture and over the course of a 20 shot 600yd prone stage that can be tiring.

Bob

[Gus]

I have been have a great deal of fun over the winter, and now spring, with my Garand.  I seem to have gotten a good one as it will produce 2" groups (for 8 shots) at 100 yards (off the bench) with two of my handloads. It, and I, like the 150 grain Nosler Ballistic tip and 168 Hornady BTHPs.  All fueled with medium charges of IMR 4895. The 150s fly out the tube at 2611 fps and the 168s are clocking 2507 fps.

The rifle is completely stock except for the Beartooth neoprene comb riser I installed on it.  I have been thinking about getting a target aperture rear sight for it to experiment with.  That said, what of the front sight? What is the recommendation for KD and/or high power?

Thanks!

Gus

[Gus]

Let me try that attachment again.  Figuring out pictures is sometimes not so easy!

[hawkeye]

Please don't use JB weld on your Garand, It can flake off into your eye. Be safe and spend the money on a National Match set of sights. I seen a lot of folks use these at Ramseur with great results. https://ammogarand.com/nm-3pc-sight-kit.html
https://www.creedmoorsports.com/product/m1-garand-match-front-sight/see-all-departments