load for m1 garand

[Robbins290]

ive been loading for my remington 700 for a few years now. but i want to start reloading for my m1 garand. i speer reloading manual does not say if a load is right for the m1.

 

[Grumulkin]

Get a Hornady manual. It has Garand specific loads.

 

[bbq fan]

I made the Hornady book purchase just for the M1 Garand data... Plus check out the CMP forums reloading section. There's a huge amount of reloading info on their site. Good luck

 

[rconnerley]

Ditto on the Hornady Manual. My Garand runs like a top on 46.0 gr of H4895 with 150gr projectiles.

 

[rg1]

It is widely recommended to only use powders with a burn rate from IMR 4895 to IMR 4064. Keep bullet weights from 147-175 grains. With 150 grain bullets using IMR 4895, a load from 46-48 grains with a standard LR primer is most often recommended. For accuracy shooting often they recommend 168 grain match bullets with IMR 4064 powder. I shoot military surplus M2 150gr. FMJ's with 47-47.5 grains of IMR 4895 in various 30-06 cases. Make sure primers are seated flush or below and I recommend a headspace gauge. The chambers on some or a lot of Garands are on the maximum side of spec and if you full length resize and push the shoulder back to zero every time your brass will stretch too much with shorter case life and the possibility of case separations. Check your brass closely for case stretching. Not any difference in loading for any other rifle but the Garand is a little hard on brass from long chambers plus case ejection dings or bent extractor case rims. Have fun with a fun rifle.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ditto on the Hornady Manual. My Garand runs like a top on 46.0 gr of H4895 with 150gr projectiles.

Yep, that's a good M1 Garand ammo recipe alright. It works very well and is accurate in my M1.

 

[Sport45]

With bullets from 150 to 168gr you can pick any powder no slower than IMR4320 or faster than IMR3031.

TAC, Varget, the 4895s, 2495, and the 4064's are all good among others. Just don't try to make a magnum out of the thing and you'll do fine.

I found my M1 likes flat base bullets better than boat-tails, but yours may not.

 

[kestak]

Do not reinvent the wheel. Go with I4895 or H4895 if you think temperature is an issue.
I shot thousands of rounds with my Garands, I tried many different recipes and I always came back to I4895.

 

[TwoEyedJack]

I have had good results with 50 gr. TAC and 148 gr. FMJ. TAC meters so much better than the stick powders.

 

[kestak]

If I am not mistaken, Ramshot TAC is OUT of the pressure range for the M1 Garand.

Please double check.

 

[USSR]

First, get yourself some 4895, either Hodgdon or IMR flavor. I use surplus IMR4895, and below are my loads:

144gr FMJBT (M80) bullet - 48.5gr.
155gr HPBT bullet - 47.5gr.
168gr HPBT bullet - 47.0gr.
174gr FMJBT (M72) bullet - 46.5gr.

Hope that helps.

Don

 

[4895]

Don't forget to use the NATO 7.62 primers as they are built harder and will reduce slam fires. CCI makes them for a buck or so more than standard primers. Cheap insurance if you ask me.

 

[Slamfire]

I shoot the same load year after year and have consistent match winning performance in my Garand.

My load is a 168 SMK 47.0 grains IMR 4895 military cases CCI #34, recently shot Tula7.62 mm.


Your first choice of powders should be any of the 4895 series: H4895, AA2495 or IMR 4895. These powders are so close that differences are basically lot to lot.











For your Garand, I recommend

You full length size with a small base die. Use RCBS water soluble case lube, spray on lubes will stick the case in your die.

Set the shoulder back .003”, use cartridge headspace gages to set up your dies. I use Wilson, there are other good brands.



Clean your primer pockets.

Prime all cases by hand verify that the primer is completely below the case. Frankfort Arsenal said they set their primers zero to minus 0.005”.

Never, ever, ever use Federal primers as they are the most slamfiring primer in the market, never use primers that are “more sensitive”. That includes "match" or "benchrest" primers as the cups on these primers are thin on top and the priming compounds tend to be more sensitive. You want insensitive primers with thick cups. I recommend CCI #34’s and Tula7.62 as both are sold a “military spec”

Don’t crimp, don’t set your bullets to the lands, keep your chamber clean.

 

[Robbins290]

Thanks everybody