So I will soon be purchasing my first M1 Garand through the CMP but I would like to start loading for it now. So I am looking for any suggestions as I understand you can only use certain powders when loading for the Garand other wise you could cause damage to the rifle. I will be using 168 grain Hornady A max bullets and once fired mixed brass as well as some 150 & 168 Noslar ballistic tip's. what suggestions do you all have for best powders to use? Also if you load for the M1 Garand do you crimp? Any load data, suggestions, or watch outs would be greatly appreciated. oh yea and if you load for an M1 Garand what kind of groups are you getting?
M1 Garand Loads
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jcwit
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I reload with 4895 surplus powder for my Garand, per Hodgon never go slower than H380. Any powder close to 4895 burn rate should be fine.
H4895, IMR4895, Varget, and IMR4064 are popular powders for the Garand. There are others and the burn rate is around those listed. Get outside the appropriate list of powders and you risk damaging your rifle.
Generally, folks say stay with bullets between 150 and 175 but lots of folks use bullets as light as 110 grains and over 200 hundred grains. Caution is the word here but it is possible. I don't see any need to go heavier than 175 or so grains but what ever.
Commercial hunting ammunition should not be used without a gas relief plug like the Shuster. I forget the name of the other relief gas plug at the moment. Hornady and Federal make Garadn specific ammunition.
The current Hornady manual has a Garand loading section. Not the be all to end all, but a good basis for beginnings. There is a NRA publication from the 80s or so with some good loading information. The CMP forum is a good source of loading information or loading sources.
I load mostly 150 grain bullets over H4895 but have also used IMR4895. I have dabbled with 110 grain spire points and plan to do some more. For 100-200 yards, they are great and the recoil is a bit less than the 150 grainers. Flat base bullets may give better accuracy than boat tails at the shorter ranges.
Full length sizing is a must. Some folks use a RCBS Precision Mic or a bump gauge to set the shoulder back .003-.005 inches. Make sure the primer is seated properly, slightly below the level of the case base.
Slam fires are not really an issue if you follow prudent reloading practices. Get sloppy and you will have problems. I have had one "slam fire" in 10 years of Garand loading and I think it was more of an issue with "milking" the trigger than a slam fire.
No crimp is necessary with Garand reloads. Neck tension holds the bullet in place. Crimps will not correct poor neck tension.
I can easily keep my shots in the black of MR-31 (100 yard reduced range prone target) shooting slow fire from the prone position at 100 yards. It is better than my groups with HXP surplus. Lots of folks can do better, but I am happy ad my eyes are aging.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your new Garand. I enjoy mine.
Generally, folks say stay with bullets between 150 and 175 but lots of folks use bullets as light as 110 grains and over 200 hundred grains. Caution is the word here but it is possible. I don't see any need to go heavier than 175 or so grains but what ever.
Commercial hunting ammunition should not be used without a gas relief plug like the Shuster. I forget the name of the other relief gas plug at the moment. Hornady and Federal make Garadn specific ammunition.
The current Hornady manual has a Garand loading section. Not the be all to end all, but a good basis for beginnings. There is a NRA publication from the 80s or so with some good loading information. The CMP forum is a good source of loading information or loading sources.
I load mostly 150 grain bullets over H4895 but have also used IMR4895. I have dabbled with 110 grain spire points and plan to do some more. For 100-200 yards, they are great and the recoil is a bit less than the 150 grainers. Flat base bullets may give better accuracy than boat tails at the shorter ranges.
Full length sizing is a must. Some folks use a RCBS Precision Mic or a bump gauge to set the shoulder back .003-.005 inches. Make sure the primer is seated properly, slightly below the level of the case base.
Slam fires are not really an issue if you follow prudent reloading practices. Get sloppy and you will have problems. I have had one "slam fire" in 10 years of Garand loading and I think it was more of an issue with "milking" the trigger than a slam fire.
No crimp is necessary with Garand reloads. Neck tension holds the bullet in place. Crimps will not correct poor neck tension.
I can easily keep my shots in the black of MR-31 (100 yard reduced range prone target) shooting slow fire from the prone position at 100 yards. It is better than my groups with HXP surplus. Lots of folks can do better, but I am happy ad my eyes are aging.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your new Garand. I enjoy mine.
I believe IMR 4895, which stands for Improved Military Rifle was specifically designed during WWII era for the M1 Garand. With that being said, I think 4895 would be the the best choice. A good rule of thumb, nothing faster than 4895 and nothing slower than 4064. Anything faster, or slower could damage the operating system. I personally like Sierra 168gr HPBT. Stay away from Fed primers... Too soft. CCI #34 would be the best choice. I also, recommend small base dies for all auto loaders. This will allow proper feeding and prevent slamfires.
Joemyxplyx
Member
cfullgraf wrote:
The two adjustable plugs are Schuster and McCann. Both are good. They allow the use of modern 30-06 loads rather the the WWII loads which are now sub-loads. They also allow the use of bullets heavier than 175gr.
The Schuster valve is more adjustable but should be cleaned in solvent regularly. The McCann is more robust but less adjustable; more a set and forget valve.
An unremarked plus of the valves is the ability to tune the gun for accuracy. Once you find an adjustment level that's easy on the gun and brass, you can experiment around that level to see the effect on accuracy. One setting will be more accurate than the others.
The two adjustable plugs are Schuster and McCann. Both are good. They allow the use of modern 30-06 loads rather the the WWII loads which are now sub-loads. They also allow the use of bullets heavier than 175gr.
The Schuster valve is more adjustable but should be cleaned in solvent regularly. The McCann is more robust but less adjustable; more a set and forget valve.
An unremarked plus of the valves is the ability to tune the gun for accuracy. Once you find an adjustment level that's easy on the gun and brass, you can experiment around that level to see the effect on accuracy. One setting will be more accurate than the others.
USSR
Member
I use surplus IMR4895 for all my Garand loads. 47.0gr for 168gr bullets, and +1.0gr more for 150gr bullets.
Don
Don
Flatbush Harry
Member
I have used IMR 4895, H4895 (they're not the same), IMR 4064 and Varget with good results in my M1 Gatands, with IMR 4895 under a 168gr A-MAX bullet providing best accuracy in my regular shooter. I recommend you get the Hornady 7th or 8th ed. Reloading Manual. It has Garand-specific loads for all of these with Hornady bullets.
Also, the Hornady Manual has .308 Win Service rifle loads broken out as well, for M1A/M14 shooters and the Sierra Manual lists AR15-specific loads.
I'm a cautious fellow so I always work from the manuals for each bullet/powder combination I use.
Good luck.
FH
Also, the Hornady Manual has .308 Win Service rifle loads broken out as well, for M1A/M14 shooters and the Sierra Manual lists AR15-specific loads.
I'm a cautious fellow so I always work from the manuals for each bullet/powder combination I use.
Good luck.
FH
jcwit
member
Correct, IMR 4895 and H 4895 are not exactly the same, but for all practical reloading purposes data is interchangable.
Yes, use Garand specific loads.
Yes, use Garand specific loads.
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