powder suggestions for m1 garand

M1 Garand Service Rifle Loadings will provide a few loads to try. There is also Master Po from the NRA suggested loads. You will find the most popular powders to be IMR4895, H4895, and IMR4064 for starters. Always work from M1 Garand load data and not standard 30-06 Springfield load data. You want to keep your pressure curve correct for the M1 Garand. Since you did not mention I assumed a 30-06 M1 Garand. Finally there is a shuster plug option.

Ron

ALWAYS work from M1 Garand load data and
not standard 30-06 Springfield load data.

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^^^ THIS ^^^
and in spades

Also keep bullet weights below 170 grains. And consider military primers. Always full length resize, confirm proper primer seating depth, and check shoulder setback with a case gauge or similar system.

IMR XBR8208
Sort of like a good metering varget.

AA2520 is another option in addition to the stick powders.

"...keep bullet weights below 170 grains..." Isn't really true.
http://www.crossecreekrifleandpisto...mation/ReloadingForTheM1Rifle_JohnRClarke.pdf
IMR4064 with match grade bullets. 150's or 155's at 100 to 300, 168's out to 600 and 175's past there. IMR or H 4895(close but not the same. Data is not interchangeable either), Varget and pretty much any powder that gives roughly 2800 fps at 50,000 PSI.

IMR 4895 then IMR 4895 and if you can't find that then H4895 or IMR 4064 but IMR 4895 has been available lately.

The 4895's are the go to powders. Along with a lot of folks I like Varget as well.
The Hogdon 9th Ed. Manual has proper load section for your milsurps.

The thing to remember is that like 25-5 mentioned most use 4895 (H or IMR). But to add that there are other powders out there, just make sure you load is recommended for the rifle.

I load for my M1 on a Dillon progressive press, and in my search for a ball powder that worked in the M1 I settled on 50 gr. of TAC and 147 gr. FMJ. TAC is right next to H4895 on the burn rate chart and flows through a powder measure like water. I have found this load to be pretty accurate. I also have an adjustable gas plug for some extra insurance.

LUCKYDAWG13 said:

Ok I have 4895 on hand

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Well that's a good start with the link I posted earlier. The link covers the more popular M1 Garand bullet weights.

Depending on what you have for large rifle primers try to run with a less sensitive primer like the CCI #34 only because they are a Mil Spec less sensitive primer. I have loaded many rounds using CCI BR-2 and CCI 200 also. The use of a less sensitive primer is merely a safety suggestion since the Garand uses a free floating firing pin.

Happy M1 Garand Loading....
Ron

Hey Dawgy! A couple of pics would be appreciated.

1. Check your reloading manuals.
2. Do a search here for this frequently asked question.
3. 4895 or BLC2

IMR4895 was the original powder for the M1 and still probably best for duplicating the original ammo. IMR4895, H4895 and AA2495 are all very similar in performance and AA2520 is a ball powder equivalent. AA2520 has the nickname of The Camp Perry powder.

IMO load an inexpensive 150gr bullet for range ammo and for target work a 165/168gr match bullet. The M1 Garand is a great rifle to load for. Just don't use slower powders because they produce a pressure curve that can damage your op-rod and these days you don't want to buy one of those!

Create a photobucket account, upload the photos and put the link in your post. Easy as pie... lol

IMR4064 produced the best accuracy in the .30-06 Garands during its heyday in competition with 168 to 180 grain bullets, but charges had to be weighed to a 2/10ths grain spread. IMR4320 also did well with 180's.

Nobody I know of shooting the best scores with either 30 caliber or 7.62 NATO Garands did so with any ball powder. The Lake City M118 match ammo loaded by Winchester had a ball powder similar to AA2520 and it shot about 3 MOA at 600 yards at best. Good lots of Remington loaded IMR4895 in M118 or M72 match ammo shot about 2 MOA at 600.