Mad Minute Test

[wunhunglo]

Mad Minute Test, are you game?

I'm curious as to just how fast the M1 Garand could be and would appreciate if some of you could take part in testing and publish your findings here?

So the time is one minute for as many aimed shots as possible at a silhouette target at 200yards and again at 300 yards, service rifle sights and any service hold (no scopes, sandbags or rests).
Please try this fairly, get someone to time for you and count the hits & the grouping.

[Orlando]

You talking 8 rds per target per minute? Shouldnt be a problem to get them on paper. My range only goes to 200ys but I guess you could use a reduced target

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by Orlando

You talking 8 rds per target per minute? Shouldnt be a problem to get them on paper. My range only goes to 200ys but I guess you could use a reduced target

No, Not 8 rounds a minute, one minute as many rounds as possible on the target at 200yds and another minute if possible at 300 yards. Ie. how many aimed shots can you get on target at 200 or 300 yards in one minute. Hopefully you should get them all within a 6-12" group at 200!!

[Dookiebutt]

This is the Mad Minute Orlando.


mad minute@Everything2.com

[jpwilly]

I've done this at a 100yrd target not a 200 or 300yrd target standing. The results were exactly 32rnds I didn't practice prior to doing this and couldn't reload as quickly as I should have been able to. I did make sure every shot found it's target.

[kygunsmith]

Garands will outshoot any other WWII rifle in a "mad minute" The bad thing is giving away all your firing positions in the minute? Some idiot seemed to convince others that the SMLE could equal Garands in firepower! Bullcrap!!!

[Dookiebutt]

With the price of ammo that minute is kind of expensive.

[M14man]

I don't know of a range around that would allow a shooter to do that. And I for one;would not subject my gun to that abuse.

[Ben Hartley]

According to Hatcher's Book of the Garand, during the USMC tests held in November, 1940, the M1's highest average rate of fire was 23(+) aimed shots per minute, with 12(+) hits per minute. The targets were emplaced at 325 yards from the firing line, if I'm reading the text correctly.

I'd not be surprised, however, if a really thoroughly-trained M1 rifleman could surpass these fates of fire / hits. I should think that 32 effective rounds readily achievable, and 40 rounds not completely outside the realm of reason.

I'm with M14Man, though: I ain't a-gonna beat up my rifle a-tryin' it!

Ben Hartley

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by M14man

I don't know of a range around that would allow a shooter to do that. And I for one;would not subject my gun to that abuse.

That's interesting about the ranges; just that nearly all our service rifle competitions include a mad minute.
Personally I didn't even consider it as abuse of the rifle, cos I thought that was what the service rifle was designed for.
I've read the book stuff but am more interested in the practical side of how ordinary people manage.
As most of you know, we are not allowed the semi autos in the UK but we do use straight pull versions of the Garand and other originally semi auto service rifles. I can average 24-30 shots per minute, hitting the targets with a straight pull rifle and just wondered how much of an advantage the semi would really be.

[M14man]

If you can hit 24+ with a straight pull you would be simply amazing with a semi..You more or less have to break your position every shot and you are still averaging 2 per second. Ranges here are usually strict, excersizing more control. Maybe there are some lucky guys that don't have that type of range. I thought you were in So Africa. Wasn't sure of their restrictions but thought anything went.

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by M14man

If you can hit 24+ with a straight pull you would be simply amazing with a semi..You more or less have to break your position every shot and you are still averaging 2 per second. Ranges here are usually strict, excersizing more control. Maybe there are some lucky guys that don't have that type of range. I thought you were in So Africa. Wasn't sure of their restrictions but thought anything went.

Your maths is a wee bit out, averaging one shot every 2+ seconds!
I used to do it with a semi in the old days when we were allowed them, I had an AR10 & a H&R M14 and could do about 1 per second then but mag loading not clip loading. As it stands now we normally give the traditional bolt guys a chance and don't start with more than 10 in the mag and clip load the rest. As for ranges, where I stay we've two very good 600m ones within about 30 mins of where I stay, one is an Army one we hire with 600m gallery & 400m ETR. Range use is strictly controlled by the conducting officers but if the rounds are going down in the right direction & hitting the targets, you can fire as fast as you want.

[BaserRonin]

never heard of a range restricting how fast you fire. What's the complaint they give you when you want to unload really fast?

[M14man]

Most of the ranges around here have restrictions. No rapid fire. They don't mind a few, but a full minute? You would be ejected right after. They deem it unsafe even if you were under contol.

[sell33]

That sounds like a b*tch^^^^ i've never even heard of it. we don't even have a conductor or anyone watching us shoot. its just use common sense basically. yes rules are posted and only members allowed but that sounds ridiculous. of course the down side is my range is only 100 yards.

[MgMn48]

Where do the next set of clips have to be? Do they need to be in a belt or can they be resting on bench or hooked on the strap? This sounds like fun I would be willing to try, but I don't have any time until May. Might even get another guy to try it too. Maybe even get video. Post exactly what you are looking for and then I'll decide.

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by MgMn48

Where do the next set of clips have to be? Do they need to be in a belt or can they be resting on bench or hooked on the strap? This sounds like fun I would be willing to try, but I don't have any time until May. Might even get another guy to try it too. Maybe even get video. Post exactly what you are looking for and then I'll decide.

It's supposed to be along the lines of a service rifle shoot so ammo is wherever is handiest to you. We normally shoot it standing, sitting, kneeling or prone. Targets are normally @ 200 or 300yards/meters.

. we don't even have a conductor or anyone watching us shoot. its just use common sense basically. yes rules are posted and only members allowed

To use any our ranges, we have to have a designated Range Conducting Officer or safety man in charge even if it's just 2 or 3 guys, one has to be designated as safety man & cannot shoot whilst doing that! Not to have one would invalidate any insurance.

[wunhunglo]

So nobody apart from JPwilly has tried so far??
Is nobody willing to try it and give me some real data?

How about you Enfield guys reading this, how many rounds can you get off & on target in one minute??

[oldjarhead]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

So nobody apart from JPwilly has tried so far??
Is nobody willing to try it and give me some real data?

How about you Enfield guys reading this, how many rounds can you get off & on target in one minute??

I'm willing but unable at the time. I'm in the process of moving but when I get the move completed I'll give it a go.

[ma96782]

Yup...........I could imagine getting kicked off the range. So, talk to the Range Master before you try it. It's for SCIENCE afterall.

Aloha, Mark