Load For an M1 Garand

[todd_g]

I have Hornady 150gr BT-FMJ, looking for a tried and true powder/primer combo that will net me good groups with a custom match grade Garand, I am trying to avoid buying a bunch of powders that will end up collecting dust.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Use either H4895 or IMR4895, those are the go to powders when loading for the Garand.

 

[Sport45]

^^ If you can't find those, Accurate's 2495 should work about the same.

I've run a lot of IMR 4320 through mine. That's as slow a powder as you'd want to use in a M1. IMR 3031 is the fastest powder to look at. Many have reported great results with Varget.

 

[rodregier]

Hornady makes a good bullet in FMJ, but you would likely get better groups with a closed base bullet. I use Rem bulk 165g SP's (CLSP) in my Garands with a suitable powder charge. Hornady will have similar offerings.

 

[Tim the student]

Varget is also listed as a powder for the M1 by Hornady, which you may already have.

 

[lgbloader]

As stated above, IMR-4895 is great. My personal fav but H4895, Varget, and BLC(2) will give good results as well.

LGB

 

[fatelk]

I use H4895 now, but have also used 4064 with excellent results.

 

[todd_g]

So far its looking like I should start out with some H4895, what about primers, Hornady's Reloading manuel says Winchester LR but those primers and Federal have all but dried up due to government contracts, I have found CCI and Remington, what do you guys think ?

 

[rg1]

The Hornady 150 fmj bullet shoots good but like previously said you'd get better accuracy with a match bullet. The 168 grain match bullets would probably be best in your match barreled Garand. I shoot the 150 fmj Hornady bullet in my standard Garands. I've tried seating the Hornady 150fmj to an overall length at 3.260" without any crimp. The crimp groove is forward of the case mouth at that length. I've also seated them to Hornady's recommended length in the Garand Section of the 7th Edition which is 3.185" overall length. Can't see much difference in accuracy in my rifles with the two lengths but I prefer to seat them to 3.185" which puts the cannelure in the correct place to crimp.
I load them using IMR 4895 in RP cases using RP 9 1/2 primers.
47 grains of IMR 4895--2725 fps approx.
47.5------------------2736
48--------------------2742 fps
My 1/2 grain increases barely increased velocity. I've settled on 47.5 grains at either overall length with Hornady's 150fmj. I use the same load in HXP brass. I'd try IMR or Hodgdon 4895 or IMR 4064 powder if you can find it.

 

[Sport45]

CCI or Remmy primers will work fine. I avoid Federal because they seem to be more sensitive and I don't think it's worth risking a slam fire with the free floating firing pin. Some will say to only use the CCI milspec primers for their harder cups. That would probably be the "safest" way to go but many haven't found it necessary.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When I can't find CCI #34 NATO primers I use CCI-200 LR primers instead. If either of those 2 are unavailable I then go to Remington. Since I haven't been able to find any CCI #34 primers in the past year I'm using CCI-200 primers without a problem. (no slam-fires at all) Since they are working so well I'm not sure I'm going to spend the extra money when the CCI #34 primers become available again.

 

[Byron]

As indicated, IMR 4895 works well. Keep your velocity about 2700 fps as the approximates the original velocity. Byron

 

[rondog]

I got 8#'s of IMR-4895 and 5000 CCI #34 primers from Powder Valley. Had to wait awhile, but they got it. No price gouging either, AFAIK.

 

[todd_g]

Thanks to all for your input, hopefully I will have some great range reports in the future.

 

[Sport45]

Widener's has Radway Green RG-4895 powder, 8# for $109. From what I hear it's the same as IMR-4895 and folks are liking it. Too bad it's not priced like the surplus powders of just a couple years ago...

 

[Bart B.]

While working at a couple of US arsenals loading 30 caliber ammo, Col. Townsend proved in the 1940's that IMR4064 was a more accurate powder for all bullet weights from 150 up to 172. But it had to be weighed as it didn't meter very uniformly. IMR4895 was best when high-speed metering was used in normal production.

When the .30-06 and Garand were commonly used in competition from the late 1940's to the late 1960's, IMR4064 again was the choice for best accuracy. And good shots didn't mind weighing charges. But most folks use IMR4895 'cause it's what M72 30 caliber match ammo was loaded with; they think it's the best.