recipe for M1 Garand

[Rhino0427]

I'm new to reloading and am starting to move toward building ammo for my Garand. I have 30-06 SPRNG brass but I was hoping for some input on best powder and charge size. From talking to my buddies, I understand that the Garand can be a little finicky and likes slower burning powders, but I have no experience. I was hoping some of the gurus out there could tell me their favorites to give me a starting point.

Just as an FYI-my M1 came from the CMP back in the mid-90s and was not "new" by any means. That being said, it fires very sweet with off the shelf ammo and I've never had a problem with it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[esaabye]

http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm

Check this site out, good info on some well tested accuracy loads. If you are not changing out the gas plug then keep them soft. If you are shooting 300 and less then no need to push it hard at all.

[jmg8550]

Hornadys M1load with the 168 AMax is 47 grains Varget, commercial brass. Seems to work pretty well for me.

[rondog]

IMR4895, 47-48 grains. 150 gr. flat-based FMJ bullet. This pretty much replicates the M2 ball load the rifle was designed for. From there, you can experiment, but this is pretty much the baseline.

Beware of hotter or commercial hunting loads, or "off the shelf" loads, as those can create too much pressure and damage your oprod or crack the receiver heel. Or, you can get one of the adjustable gas plugs that vent off extra pressure and shoot whatever you want.

The original M2 military ball load doesn't generate pressures as high as commercial hunting ammo, and those kinds of ammo CAN damage your rifle. Might not be this round, or the next round, or even the next box. Or ever at all. But just be aware that non-military type .30-06 loads CAN possibly make you talk ugly and gnash your teeth.

[sneakerd]

Trust Rondog on this. I have a number of Garands.

[w748]

Another +1 for Rondog , powders slower than 4320 should not be used! Stick with 4895.

[spqrzilla]

Here's an old American Rifleman article on the M1 Garand. Except that a lot of modern powders are not covered that have come out since, nothing has really changed for M1 Garand reloading.
http://home.comcast.net/~jlemons01/ReloadingForTheM1Rifle_JohnRClarke.pdf

The key is to stick to mid range powders that cluster around IMR 4895 in burning rate to keep the port pressure in the correct range. The issue is not peak pressure, but port pressure, ie. the pressure in the barrel as the bullet passes the gas port.

There are a huge range of suitable powders, like H4895 IMR 4894 4064, Varget, if you like Accurate Arms then AA2520, AA2460 are suitable examples.

[Rhino0427]

Thanks everyone! This gives me a great starting place.

[10x]

I used to shoot the M1 competitively. 4895 is the GI powder to use. 48 grains with a 168 bullet is a mild and accurate load. up to an absolute max of 52 grains with a 150 grain bullet.
Work your way up to the max starting 2 grains less and increasing by 1/2 grain loads. If you sense any sticking with the operating rod during cycling after firing, you are too hot for that rifle.
Don't crowd the max or you will bend/ruin the operating rod.
For accuracy use 4064. The grains are longer so it meters with a little more difficulty. It burns a bit hotter. Use the same charges as above.

[GMCSLEHD]

I recently got a Garand, and chrono'd a load for it last weekend:

- Commercial Winchester Brass
- 42.0 grains of Varget
- 168 grain Sierra Match King
- CCI 200 LRP
- OAL 3.24"
- No Crimp (sufficient case neck tension)
- Average velocity of 2350 fps for 10 shots (misposted as 3350 fps)

The load ejected the brass clear of the gun, didn't have much recoil, and I could stay on a piece of notebook paper off-hand at 100 yards.

It's a full 5 grains under Hornady's max listed load in the Garand section of their 7th edition manual.

-Josh

[10x]

Something sounds wrong with that load, GMCSLED. 3350 FPS with a 168 gr bullet is incredibly fast. You typically see a 30-06 maximum velocity of 3000 FPS with a 150 grain bullet.

[spqrzilla]

Somebody's chrono probably not shielded from muzzle blast.

[GMCSLEHD]

I goofed, and misposted the velocity, edited for correct velocity. Thanks.

-Josh

[NGCSUGrad09]

I recently got a Garand, and chrono'd a load for it last weekend:

- Commercial Winchester Brass
- 42.0 grains of Varget
- 168 grain Sierra Match King
- CCI 200 LRP
- OAL 3.24"
- No Crimp (sufficient case neck tension)
- Average velocity of 2350 fps for 10 shots (misposted as 3350 fps)

The load ejected the brass clear of the gun, didn't have much recoil, and I could stay on a piece of notebook paper off-hand at 100 yards.

It's a full 5 grains under Hornady's max listed load in the Garand section of their 7th edition manual.

-Josh

That's a fairly light load that you can probably work up. Ultimately, my Garand likes 46.5 grains of Varget under a 168gr bullet.

[spqrzilla]

That makes more sense now. You've plenty of room to work up. Right around 46 grains is where I'd expect you to end up.

[RANGERRON72]

Agree with the 46+ gr of Varget over a 168 g Sierra Matchking. Chrono's about where it should be 2700-2800 FPS ...... While I have used 4895 (its the recommended traditional M-1 powder), I use Varget for my AR 15 Service rifle loads, my M-14, M1A loads, and it just makes reloading easier to have one powder for all the service rifles. Good luck.