Today I noticed that the M7A3 Grenade Launcher is in stock at the SARCO web site. This fits the M1 Garand rifle, and is an alternative when you can’t find the M7 Grenade Launcher for your M1 Garand.
Retro Retriever (YouTube) demonstrates the French MAS 49/56 rifle grenade launcher.
The setup instructions that come with the Hornady Universal Blank Cartridge Die Set are pretty good, but you might still have questions as to how much adjustment to make for the perfect crimp. Today, I had to switch from a .223 setup to a .30-06 setup, so I took note of the adjustments.
First, the dies should be set up according to the instructions. Generally, insert an empty brass case into the shell holder and raise the ram to the top of the stroke of the press. With the adjustment screw backed out according to instructions, screw the Crimp Start Die into the press until the die makes contact with the cartridge case. At this point, lower the ram and turn the adjustment screw about 3.5 turns to get the crimp started. It should look as pictured here.
The instructions suggest that you can completely close the cartridge case with the Crimp Start Die. I opt for a more conservative approach, and use the Crimp Finish Die to complete the closure of the blank.
Install the Crimp Finish Die according to instructions. Generally, insert an empty brass case (with the started crimp) into the shell holder and raise the ram to the top of the stroke of the press. With the adjustment screw backed out according to instructions, screw the Crimp Finish Die into the press until the die makes contact with the cartridge case. At this point, lower the ram and turn the adjustment screw about 2.5 turns to complete the crimp closure. It should look as pictured here.
Fine-tune the closure in very small increments. Be careful not to overdo starting or finishing the crimp. You can cause the case to bulge, which will ruin it.
To set up the dies for .223 launcher blanks, turn the Crip Start Die adjustment screw about 2.5 turns after the die makes contact with the cartridge case. Then, turn the Crimp Finish Die adjustment screw about one turn after the die makes contact with the cartridge case.
Hope this helps get your rifle launcher blanks off to a good start–and finish!!!
The intrepid, and budget-minded, rifle grenade launcher can benefit from reloading his own blank ammunition. The process involves the same components used in reloading cartridges, minus the projectiles (bullets).
However, one piece of new equipment is likely necessary—a blank crimp die/set. Nevertheless, hand loaded blank ammunition is far more economical than commercial blank rounds. The break-even point on the purchase of new equipment is around 300-350 loaded rounds.
The total cost of hand loaded blanks after that point is about a quarter to a third of the price of commercial blanks. A .223 blank will cost about 15 cents each, rather than 60+ cents each. A .30-06 blank will cost about 20 cents each, rather than 80+ cents each.
Load data for making rifle launcher blanks is difficult to find. Through dissection of commercial rifle blanks, research, experienced extrapolation, and experimentation, I have developed an approach that works for my needs.
I’m happy to share my load information with you below, but this is only a rough starting point, and you should do your own load development. As with any reloading experience, use care, common sense, and a conservative approach to develop a safe, effective load, to meet your needs.
For .223 blanks used in a can cannon style launcher for the AR-15, I use about 6-9 grains of fast-burning pistol/shotgun powder to send a tennis ball around 70-100 yards, and a golf ball about double the distance. Powders like 700x and Titegroup fit the bill.
I haven’t launched a full can of liquid from the can cannon, but if I did, I would start my testing at 8 grains of powder, and go up from there. I did launch a can about a quarter full with water, and the light powder charge sent it exactly 100 yards.
The same powders/type apply for preparing .308 and .30-06 rifle launcher blank hand loads, such as those used for the spigot style launcher for the M1 Garand. To launch rubber dummy grenades (about 12 oz) with .308 about 70-100 yards, I use about 12-15 grains of powder. For .30-06, I use about 13-16 grains of powder.
You might be wondering if the cost of the blank crimp die/set is necessary. I tried firing blanks that were not crimped, and some that were lightly sealed with tissue paper glued to the rim. All that happened was the primer went off, but the powder didn’t ignite. It appears that some obstruction of the case mouth is required for the proper ignition of the powder. You might be able to use some sort of combustible plug, but I opted for crimping the metallic case. That variable made all the difference, and I am certain that the blanks send no large solids into the gas system or launcher on the rifle.
That’s all there is to it. Happy launching!!
There is a grenade launcher attachment for the Lee-Enfield rifle (.303 British) that can be used to launch alternative projectiles, like tennis balls.
The cup design of the Enfield launcher offers a more flexible assortment of projectiles as compared to the spigot design of the M1 launcher. Whatever you can stuff into the Enfield launcher can be a projectile.
In the following video, Brandon Herrera demonstrates this flexibility.
Do you have an M1 Garand? It can easily launch reproduction rifle grenades without permanent modifications. If you want to quickly dive into the world of launching projectiles from your M1, read on.
If you don’t have an M1, one way you can get one is from thecmp.org. Once you have your rifle, you will know it is capable of launching projectiles if it has a spring-loaded, cross style gas cylinder lock screw.
Then, you will need an M7 Grenade launcher. Finally, you will need a dummy projectile to launch. If you are really ambitious, you can attach an M15 Grenade Launcher Sight to your rifle stock (requires permanent modification).
Oh, and don’t forget the blanks. You need to source rifle launcher blanks. There are plenty of options to purchase .30-06 or .308 rifle blanks. I currently load my own blanks, I will talk about that in the near future.
That’s all it takes to launch reproduction rifle grenades from your M1. Depending on the strength of your rifle blanks and the angle of your launch, you can expect a projectile to travel from under 50 yards to well over 100 yards. I will cover more details in the near future.
The following video demonstrates how to install a launcher on the M1 Garand.
A more in-depth exploration of the M1 Grenade Launcher is here:
Welcome to rlcnj.com!
I started this site to document and share info about the fun hobby of launching inert/alternative projectiles from vintage and modern rifles. This will be a singular location to find related info, media, and links.
Check back soon, updates are ongoing.
