[offthepaper]

I'm getting ready to load for my Garand. New to reloading.
In the Lee manual it states for the 150 gr fmj, using H4895, the load ranges from 46gr to 51 gr. I know commercial loads of 30-06 are higher pressure and may bend the OP rod on a Garand. Is this a concern in this load range or should the load be reduced to avoid bending the OP rod?
What do you guys recommend?

[Vern Humphrey]

I use 45 grains with a 150 grain bullet for my M1.

[cdrt]

You might want to back that off. My Speer manual shows max for H4895 and 150 grain bullet at 46.0 grains for a velocity of 2572, which is in line with their load for the 168 grain match bullet with IMR 4895 of 2605 fps for the max load.
I know the newer book has separate load data for the M1. Hopefully someone out there can post that for you.
FWIW I keep my loads for my M1 in .308 at the same velocity and have not had any problems with the op rod.
Also, you might post your question over at www.odcmp.com on their forum. That is the place to find guys that really love the M1. I'm sure you'll get lots of responses telling you to back off the load from the Lee Manual. Lee just compiles info from everyone else and sometimes, is not the best place to look. I have a bunch of different manuals, so I can compare loads, etc. My favorites are Speer and Lyman's #45 and 47.

[NotSoFast]

My Hornady manual shows a Max Load of 46.4 gr with a 150 gr. bullet and a velocity of 2600 fps for the H4895. That is M1 Garand specific by the way.

[Steve in PA]

I've seen some mention 49.0gr for 150gr bullets.

Personally, my most accurate load is 47.0gr with 150gr FMJ.