Bullet length for Garand reloads

[edpm3]

I've reloaded pistol ammo but I'm new to rifle cartridges. My first project is .30-06 reloads for my M1 using once-fired Greek HXP M2 cases. The bullets I have are slightly longer than the original M2 bullets. If I seat the new bullets to duplicate the original M2 cartridge length, the bullets will be seated deeper into the case. How will this affect the pressure? Do I need to reduce my initial loads below the minimum in the Hornady manual and if so, by how much? Any other considerations? Thanks.

 

[janobles14]

so long as your minimum and OAL are within specs you should be ok. if you notice any pressure signs then back it off but i think you should be fine.

if you start with the starting load then you will be ok.

 

[cdrt]

You probably know this but it's worth repeating. IMR 4895 is one of the better powders for the M1.

Also, double check the max OAL to make sure they will fit in the magazine well when you insert a fully loaded clip. That's something I don't worry about since my M1 is chambered for the .308 Winchester cartridge, but it can be a problem with the longer .30-06 round and it sounds like you're using a slightly longer bullet.

 

[Slamfire]

I seat my 168 SMK's to less than 3.30". That is nothing is to be more than 3.30" as that will cause problems inserting the clip.

I assume you are shooting a 150 grain bullet. As long as your loads are around 2700 fps, than seating the bullet a little deeper won't cause any problems.

You really don't want to be shooting 150 grain bullets much faster than 2700 fps as that semi automatic mechanism will be slammed and banged around.

If you are using a load of 150 gr 47.0 grs IMR 4895, any case, CCI #34 primers, then you can seat the bullets very deep and you will not have any pressure problems.

Just use powders in the 4895 burn rate and keep to the military velocities.

 

[fineredmist]

Uncle Sam spent millions of dollars and lots of time to come up with the cartridge and no matter how hard you try it can't be beat by much if at all. "Cartridiges of The World" shows IMR 4895, 175 gr. bullet, 3.330" oal and mv of 2640 fps.
I load 168 gr. Sierra MatchKing, 45 gr. IMR 4895 at 3.330" +/- .003 (2600 fps MV) and the gun shoots very tight groups. If I load military cases I decrease the charge by 2 - 3 gr. to compensate for the heavy cases.
The M1 was designed around the 30-06 at that power level and it will run for a long time with little trouble, if you start to "hot rod" the rounds all kinds of mechanical problems arise.

 

[transformerguru]

I see you all are using IMR 4895... I was wondering how IMR 4064 powder works. The reason I ask I just have a lot of it and am wanting to reload for my Garand.

 

[Sport45]

IMR4064 is fine for the M1. I believe IMR4320 is the slowest powder you should use in the Garand. I don't recall what the fastest powder is but 4895 (H or IMR), Varget, IMR 4064, and IMR 4320 all work. I load mostly IMR 4320 because I have a lot of it, but not many others do.

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