Thanks for the info. I ordered a CMP "special grade" Garand so I will have the new Criterion barrel as well. I want to try Garand matches at my gun club next year. What powder do you like best with the 155 CC's ?
I found no real measurable difference between Varget, H4895 , 4064, N150, IMR 4895
Bullet selection has been the biggest improvement.
Dont waste your time with the M2 bullets or pulled bullets. For what they cost now just buy HXP.
Hornady 150 gn FMJ bulk are ok but again for not much more (i recently bought some Hornady 168gn match for .03 more than the bulk 150s) you can get nosler,hornady match or even the Nosler factory 2nds. These are fine and so far hold my best scores with the Blems in both M1 and AR.
My best shooting service grade from the CMP took some work to get shooting well.
For what ever reason it matters not what rifle I use I get a flyer in every clip. 60% on the 1st round? I do not get flyers with reloads.
I would not waste my time doing a lot of load testing.
I loaded in one grain increments from min to max on each powder I had. Almost all but the N150 did best in the lower mid range charge. I only shoot out to 200 yards in JCG as issued matches so velocity to try and buck the wind is not needed.
Remember the CMP JCG as issued match uses the SR1 target at 100 yards for each position thats a a black bull out to the 9 ring 6.35", 10 ring 3.35", X ring 1.35"
you would be better served spending more time working on positions, NPA and sling use VS load development.