Garand shooting results

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elktrout

elktrout

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Today, I shot my Garand at 100 yds for the first time. Off a bench and slow firing, I managed the 5 shot group on the attached target. I am amazed at how accurate this thing is with only field sights.

But, I have a question also for you Garand guys. I loaded my rounds as follows: New Rem brass trimmed to the trim-to-length, CCI BR2 primers, Nosler 168 gr BTHP, and 47.0 grains of AA2495. I chose that load from a printout of recommended NRA loads for the M-1. But, today I chronographed this load and was shocked to see that it averaged 2750 fps. Some shots were as high as 2780 fps.

This alarmed me, for I understood that 168 grain loads should be kept at about 2600 fps, which is what I expected.

Is anyone else shooting a similar load? Are you getting the approximate same velocity? Should I go with a reduced load? Anyone have a recommended better load to try?

Thanks for your help.
 

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if it were me and i wasnt sure id reduce it a bit till you have heard from someone who also has chrono'd that bullet.

i didnt have my chrono when i was loading 168's. the only loads ive chrono'd have been 147 and 150g bullets.

ive settled on 47g of h4895 behind a 147g fmjbt that closely mimics the m2 rounds that the cmp sells.

they go right around 2875-2900.

im sure you will hear from someone here thats done it though.

oh ya, congrats on the rifle (again, lol)
 
I am not a good photographer, but I have attached a few photos of the rifle for everyone. Thanks.
 

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Try again. More photos
 

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168 gr BTHP, and 47.0 grains of AA2495
Click to expand...

hornady manual for m1 garand 30-06 data says to use 45.5 grains of AA2495 for a 168gr bullet (that's max load), it also says it should be going 2600 fps.

i would try reducing your load.
 
You are moving that bullet a little fast for your M1 Garand. I would cut your load by a grain. You want to be around 2650 fps.

I am surprised that your bullet is going that fast. I have fired thousands of rounds, in Garands, of a 168 and 47.0 grains IMR 4895. I am certain I used 47.0 grains AA2495 with a 168 at one time, but I don't seem to have chronograph data.

Maybe it is just your powder lot.

Garands are not magnums in any sense of the word. The rifle came out in 1936 and the loads should be appropriate for the rifle and the era.


30M721732640fpsammocansideDSCN9365.jpg
 
SlamFire1,

I remember you posting the load some time ago on THR. I was really surprised at the chrono results myself. I have been thinking about this issue quite a bit since I posted it, and I believe the difference could be the fact that my Garand has a brand new barrel in it (commercial, after market). It does not have a long throat, which I would think could be the contributing factor in this. I will compensate by reducing all the load data I have gathered for Garand loading.

Thanks for your reply.
 
First let me apologize for not having a reference but I recently read an article by a fellow concerning loading for milsurp rifles. One section of that article addressed loading 30 06 for the M 1917, the M 1903 and the M1 Garand. Loading for the M1 was lighter than for the bolt guns so as not to damage the operating rod. He listed one particular load which he said mimics M2 Ball. It was 48 gr of IMR 4064 under a 150 gr bullet. I loaded 48 gr of IMR 4064 under a 150 gr Sierra Match King bullet. the load was supposed to produce a muzzle velocity of around 2600 fps. To make a long story short my M1s loved it, 1.7 to 2.0 in groups a 100 yds all day.:D
 
i really dont think "hot loads" can have as much to do with damaging an oprod as using powder with a burn rate that doesnt agree with the rifle.

i read an article on john garand filling case after case, literally thousands of rounds to the rim, and then compressing the powder with the bullet to try to induce a failure, and couldnt make it even flinch.

this is certainly not to suggest trying it, but i think the garand action gets a bad rep from this.

its not the chamber pressure, its the gas cylinder pressure that really has to be watched, which is produced not from strength of charge, but duration of burn.
 
Hey elktrout Garands shoot 8 shot groups...your missing three! :evil:

Also, regarding reloading and the the M1 Garand. It is much stronger than what your giving it credit for the gas port pressure must be watched. As a reloader and M1 shooter I prefer to have the adjustable gas plug so I can experiment with what ever powder I wish.

Here's my M1 at 200yrds:

Range0315080071.gif

Garand200yrds8shots.gif

Range031508010.gif
 
jp, do you always hafta tease me with that laminated stock?

ive already spent enough on my garands this year!!!!!!

(kidding of course, but seriously, that pic and that other one you sometimes post are going to make me spend more money!!!!)

and what you said about gas port pressure, agreed. i shoot 150 g bullets at over 2900fps with no probs. probably 500 rounds so far and a tilt test thats slick as greased glass.
 
JP:

Absolutely great shooting at 200 yards. Yeah, I only shot five shots on that target, for I used the first three to check a sight correction I made with the prior clip.

How exactly does an adjustable gas plug work? It is not a big deal to me to reduce the load, but I am interested in the adjustable plug concept.
 
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduc...ce=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=10636

By adjusting the volume of gas in the cylinder you change the speed of the op-rod and the harmonics of the barrel. If you want to tame things down, it can be opened up just enough to function, or opened fully for single shot functionality. If you are working on your own hand loads, a quarter turn WILL affect group size. If you have a 308 Garand this is a necessity if you want to safely shoot heavier 168 grain match bullets. Also a must have if you hunt with your CMP Garand but want to shoot heavier 30-06 loads.

Hey Brian it's a Wenig Custom Gunstock - Laminated (Desert) stock http://www.wenig.com/
 
I found my AA2495 data. My 168 SMK through a Douglas match barrel was 100 fps slower than yours.

Heck if I know. Accurate Arms powders can be very frustrating to use as their powders have a wide lot to lot variations. My powder was made in China. It shot exceptionally well and gave equivalent velocities to IMR 4895 with the same charge weight.

Still, cut your loads.

M1 Garand Douglas Barrel 1:10 twist


168 Sierra Match 47.0 grs AA2495 wtd WLR FC Cases OAL 3.30"
5 May 00 T = 82 ° F

Ave Vel = 2632
Std Dev = 16
ES = 50
Low = 2616
High = 2666
N = 10


168 gr Sierra Match 47.0 AA2520 WWII cases WLR OAL 3.30"
5 May 00 T = 82 ° F

Ave Vel = 2658
Std Dev = 35
ES = 85
Low = 2612
High = 2697
N = 5

168 gr Sierra Match 48.0 IMR 4064 wtd LC66NM WLR OAL 3.30"
5 May 00 T = 82 ° F

Ave Vel = 2594
Std Dev = 18
ES = 38
Low = 2575
High = 2613
N = 5
 
I am going to cut my loads to 45 grains and see how they shoot. I am not a velocity freak by any stretch of the imagination and want my Garand to last a long time and provide lots of shooting enjoyment. Besides, less powder means more economy.

One thing I do like about the AA2495 is that it burns very clean. Thanks for your help.

Brian:

You NEEEEED one of those laminated stocks. Just teasing. They are sweet looking, though.
 
Ya know, that's a damn small target to shoot at, at 200 yards! I couldn't even see something like that.
 
I know its a photo,and in person it might look different but all I see in that photo of 200yds is a little thing colored white,can't even see a bulls.:uhoh:

Guess I should get 200yd targets (bigger bulls) and try myself at it.:confused:
 
While it does look a little bigger in person than in the photo it was only an 8" target. A real 200 yard rifle target for irons is much bigger at 12 5/8". Thank goodness the black on white provided just enough contrast to see and the M1 does have the best iron sights I've ever used.
 
well then may I never piss you off and you then see me at long distance.:scrutiny::eek::p


although at 1000yds I might taunt you by doing this--->:neener:



:evil:
 
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