M1 Garand Loads?

[HankB]

OK, I've been loading .30/06 for ages, and my favorite load (180 Nosler over 61.0 grains of RL22) is powerful and shoots great in my Model 70 . . . but this would be a very poor choice for a gasgun like an M1 Garand, due to port pressure concerns. (I load for an M1A, so I'm well aware of this.)

Does anyone have some "proven" loads for their pet M1 Garand, using bullets of 147 grain, 165-168, and 175 grain weights? And are there any adjustments for brass type - military or commercial - as there are for .308/7.62 NATO?

Not looking to hotrod the old gun - just want to duplicate pressure curves for milspec ball and match ammo.

 

[870]

PM sent.

870

 

[sundog]

I've had very good results with about 47 gr IMR 4064 and 168 gr BTHP. I like it better than 4895 although it works good also. Are there other combinations? Yes, but this works as good as any. The NRA pamphlet on the M1 has a good list in it. Also, plan on getting only 4 or 5 reloads from your cases. sundog

 

[Steve in PA]

The pet loads for my M1 are;

150 FMJ - 47.0gr IMR-4985
168 BTHP - 46.5gr IMR-4895

Mostly Remington cases (some Winchester, Federal and L.C. thrown in)
CCI 200 primers.

The most accurate load out of my rifle is the 168 BTHP.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

4 or 5 reloads? Sheesh, I forgot how spoiled loading 45 ACP makes me feel.

I wonder if anyone has had luck neck sizing only... I know I know, the manuals say full length size for auto loaders... neck size for bolt actions. But I know some people out there have neck sized only for ARs.

 

[Steve in PA]

I use the RCBS X-Die for reloading the .30/06 rounds for my M1. I'm on about 6-7th reload with the same brass.

 

[Khornet]

Also don't overlook

Winchester 748. Need a magnum primer, but I got good accuracy with it.

 

[Smoke Rizen]

I'm loading 45.5gr. IMR 4064 with a 173gr. LCM boat tail. I've loaded
H 4895 at 45.1 and IMR 4895 at 45.7 with the same 173gr. point.
overall the 4064 seems to be the most consistant fps-POI. I load in all LC
brass, some match,some standard.I full length size in RCBS does,and I,ve
fired some of this brass 5 times. I full length size them after 5 times and use them in the 03 and 03A3 for God only knows how many times. Some of these head stamps are 42 LC. I like the 173gr. because it has it has better ballistics from 100-300 yards.

 

[cracked butt]

I've had very good results with about 47 gr IMR 4064 and 168 gr BTHP.

Me too. The same load also shoots really well in my '03 springfield as well.

 

[HankB]

Thanks all . . . interesting that 4064 seems to give good results in the M1. I found, loading for my M1A, that IMR4064 gave better results than the old "standby" for match loads, IMF4895. I think I'll try it . . .

 

[Blackcloud6]

I use 47.5 gr. surplus IMR 4895 to push surplus M2 Ball. Very nice load.

 

[ponyexpress]

I've always had good luck with IMR4064 as well. I don't have the info right now but I believe I'm using about 47 gr.

 

[Titus]

4064 is a good powder for the M1 and any '06 based cartridge. Friends and I have always had good luck with 4064 in various guns in .280, '06, and .35 Whelen.

4 or 5 reloads? Sheesh, I forgot how spoiled loading 45 ACP makes me feel.

Yeah, I have some Midway headstamp 9mm brass I bought in '91 still at work!

 

[VietVet 67-68]

HankB

I use my m-1 deer hunting out here in Nevada. I use a Rem 150gr soft point with 48grs of IMR 4064 for 2700fps that groups around 1,5 to 2in at 100yds.

Keith

 

[Smoke Rizen]

I load the lighter loads cause I'll shoot a couple 4 hundred when I shoot paper. It's not bad in the M1 but it tells me it's time to rebuild the shoulder again in the bolt guns. Welcome Viet Vet 67 68. Me too,-70 S.R.

 

[VietVet 67-68]

S.R. Thanks glad you made it back too!!

Keith

 

[Sunray]

"...only 4 or 5 reloads from your cases..." Nonsense. I've used the same cases for 30 plus years with no fuss.
"...adjustments for brass type - military or commercial..." Yep. Same deal. 10% less with milsurp cases. You must full length resize cases used in semi's, every time, for reliable feeding. Other than that just work up a load for your Garand exactly the same way you did for your M70. Think 168 grain match grade bullets(cheap they ain't) with IMR4064 and the same size bullet and powder but hunting bullets for, um, hunting.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Cold working brass (resizing) makes it brittle. Anybody ever anneal case mouths?

 

[cracked butt]

I've used cartridge headspace guages to check the amount that I need to setback the shoulder on 30-06 cases previously fired in my M1 it usually ranged from .003-.006" if you only set the shoulder back far enough that if reliably chambers especially if you have a loose chamber, caselife shouldn't be that much of a problem.

I'm personally more concerned about the dings and divots that my brass get around the head everytime they are fired and I won't relaod them more than 4 times.

 

[cracked butt]

Anybody ever anneal case mouths?

30-06 cases are so common and fairly cheap that I wouldn't even bother.