Garand Loads ?

[TenDriver]

For some reason I had the idea I needed to go below the starting load listed in the Lyman book when loading for an M1. Using HXP cases, I thought I needed to drop a little more of the charge. I ended up loading 8 rounds 4 gr under the starting load, 150gr FMJBT bullets over IMR-4064.

I know some powders do not handle light charges, W296 coming to mind. How about this 4064? Could I possibly end up having an overpressure situation due to the light load or some other potential disaster?

 

[Wil Terry]

POSSIBLY !!! PROBABLY NOT !!! NEVER ever second guess the loading manuals.

 

[horsemen61]

always use a manual you will get hurt going away from what the manual says :banghead:.

 

[TenDriver]

I wasn't second guessing anything. I had read guidance saying reduce your charge by 2 gr when using milsurp cases, and another to reduce by 2 gr for the Garand's gas system.

Were these being loaded for something other than a Garand or other than in HXP cases I would not have reduced below the starting load.

 

[dogrunner]

Best load I've found for my CMP Special is 48 gr. of 4064,WW standard LR primers,WW cases........unfortunately I'm out and I can't find anymore! That load's under a Sierra HPBT 165 GK...things giving me right at an an inch at a hundred.

 

[cfullgraf]

I wasn't second guessing anything. I had read guidance saying reduce your charge by 2 gr when using milsurp cases, and another to reduce by 2 gr for the Garand's gas system.

Use powders that are suitable for the Garand of which IMR4064 is one. No need to reduce the powder charge for the gas system if an appropriate powder is used..

I refer to Garand specific data, or failing that, match the velocity of military ammunition. Generally, for common use bullets in the 150-180 grain range, reloads that approximate the velocity of military ammunition will not be near maximum for 30-06. With mid range loads, you probably will not see much difference in velocities with different cases but you should verify that for yourself.

I have read that bullets over 200 grains can cause some issues with the Garand. Do your own research on that. I have no desire to shoot the heavy bullets so I accept the restriction.

I know lots of folks, including me, that shoot bullets as light as 110 grains successfully and with good accuracy out to two or three hundred yards.

The Garand will safely handle modern hunting ammunition as long as the gas system has a pressure relieving gas plug. Slower burning powders will have elevated port pressures when fired in the Garand risking damage to the op rod.

Hope this helps.

 

[Maj Dad]

The original powder for the M1 was 4895, but there are a number of other suitable powders, 4064 among them. W296/H110 are different, and reducing them more than about 3% is not recommended. 4895, 4064 and other similar powders are not as sensitive to reduced loads and you don't have to worry about that. Your thoughts in your original question regarding reducing the charge for military brass is on target: military brass tends to be thicker and heavier, thus with less internal capacity, and can cause excessive pressure with heavy or maximum loads. Some of the manuals suggest reducing loads by 1-2 gr, which is probably fine for the starting load, but the old rule of thumb was to back off maximum loads by 10%. So for an IMR 4895 maximum load of 53 gr for a 150 gr Nosler BT, you would back off to about 48 grains, and for the starting load of 49 gr, to around 45. I wouldn't go much lower than 42 or 43 as you will start to experience failures to cycle.

There is a veritable Library of Congress worth of discussion on this subject here on THR & in every other forum if you want to spend a few days immersed in the arcane and verbose world of military brass loads...
Cheers, and hope it helps,
George J.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I wasn't second guessing anything. I had read guidance saying reduce your charge by 2 gr when using milsurp cases, and another to reduce by 2 gr for the Garand's gas system.

Were these being loaded for something other than a Garand or other than in HXP cases I would not have reduced below the starting load.

Even if those HXP surplus cases required a 2gr reduction in powder charge weight you are supposed to make that reduction to the MAX charge, not the starting charge! Like said above, when you use a powder in the correct burn rate range there's no reason to drop the charge wrights so as not to damage the Op-Rod.

You may find This Site very helpful. It's backed by the NRA and all the data was tested and certified safe for the M1 Garand. Of course you should always use the 10% rule when only the Max load data is supplied. I have personally tried or a friend has tried the 150gr bullet data using IMR4064, IMR4895, H4895, AA2495 and AA2520 with all producing very good ammo. I settled on a charge of slightly below their max charge listed for H4895 which produced very accurate and repeatable accuracy in both my M1 rifles.

Master Po uses that recommendation of dropping back 2 grains with military brass so the Max charge listed of 50.0gr IMR4064 under a 150gr bullet becomes 48.0gr IMR4064. The starting charge should be no lower than 43.2gr with a good starting point of 44.0gr IMO.

Under a 150gr bullet using the same Greek Surplus brass I use a charge of 46.4gr H4895. For right now with the brass, bullets and powder lot I'm using that is my standard load and I see no reason to change it until I have to change components. Good luck...