M1 Garand - Powder & Die Selection

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I've read that dies for Garands don't need to be small base because Garands have a generous chamber.

I was thinking RCBS X dies. I have a 30-06 & 308 Garand on the way.

Also - I've read you have to be careful with loads & powder as some loads can damage the Garand.

Please help suggest die sets for 30-06 & 308 and powder for the Garand.
 
my M1 will will be here next week. I will be starting with imr 4895 at 45gr and work up from that. 150gr fmj bullets cci lr primers. going to use lee dies with a hornady head space gauge. make sure you search M1 load data and the posts by slamfire to make sure you are getting your cases sized right for the chamber. good luck and go slow when you ? something come here and these good folks will get you on the right track.
 
Unless you already reload for rifle, I might not start with the x die. It adds an additional level of complexity and you can always get it later if you think you need it.

Small base dies are good if your regular die isn't sizing the base enough to allow easy chambering. Again, hold off until you need it.

Get a broken case extractor for your rifle, they are cheap insurance for saving a range day. Also google and read carefully about headspace and reloading in the garand.

Good luck!

J.
 
IMR 4895 was the powder the M1 Rifle (Garand) was designed around. While NOT THE SAME POWDER, H-4895 (slightly faster and made in Europe, the IMR is made in Canada) is very close and used as well. There are some tricks of the trade with the M1 Rifle that don't (generally) need to be done for other rifles and several articles in RIFLE, HANDLOADER discuss this and the 2013 (current as of this writing, the mag has "display until March 17, 2013" on it, but it is easy to find and available from various distributors as well) HODGDON ANNUAL MANUAL has an article about the two 4895 powders in the M1 which should also be of interest to you.
 
I use an RCBS die with no problems. I trim about every 4th loading. The Garand seems to be pretty hard on brass. After having tried a bunch of different powders, I have settled on TAC. It has the right burn rate and goes through my Dillon measure nicely.
 
For the proper port pressure in the M1 Garand, you'll want to choose powders between IMR 3031 at the fastest, and IMR 4320 as the slowest. There are quite a few powders in between, with IMR 4895 being one of the best for the Garand.

For bullets, most any bullet between 150 grains and 180 grains will work, but the rifle was developed for the older M1 bullet, which was a nominal 172 grains +/-. The later M2 bullet, at a nominal 152 grains +/- also works well in the Garand. I've got one with a star gauged barrel that will shoot pretty good groups for a battle rifle.

I'm currently down to five Garands, but once owned nine of them. They're a great rifle and fun to shoot.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
If you have not already bought dies, I recommend that you get small base resizing dies. While probably not needed, it will avoid potential chambering problems with once fired cases from unknown sources.

If you already have the dies, there is no need to spend more on small base dies unless you find you need them especially if you never fire cases first fired in another chamber than your rifle..

IMR4895 or H4895 will work fine. Other powders do as well but the list is limited. Get copies of Garand specific data. The op rod is the weak spot and too much pressure at the gas port can bend the op rod.

Hope this helps.
 
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make sure you search M1 load data and the posts by slamfire to make sure you are getting your cases sized right for the chamber.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip - I'll do it

Get a broken case extractor for your rifle, they are cheap insurance for saving a range day. Also google and read carefully about headspace and reloading in the garand.
Click to expand...

Thanks - i'll put both of these points on to-do list

IMR 4895 was the powder the M1 Rifle (Garand) was designed around. While NOT THE SAME POWDER, H-4895 (slightly faster and made in Europe, the IMR is made in Canada) is very close and used as well. There are some tricks of the trade with the M1 Rifle that don't (generally) need to be done for other rifles and several articles in RIFLE, HANDLOADER discuss this and the 2013 (current as of this writing, the mag has "display until March 17, 2013" on it, but it is easy to find and available from various distributors as well) HODGDON ANNUAL MANUAL has an article about the two 4895 powders in the M1 which should also be of interest to you.
Click to expand...

Thanks much - let me know if you have links to the articles

I use an RCBS die with no problems
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Which RCBS Die?

There are quite a few powders in between, with IMR 4895 being one of the best for the Garand.
Click to expand...
Thanks

4895 http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=680990
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Great thread - thanks

If you have not already bought dies, I recommend that you get small base resizing dies. While probably not needed, it will avoid potential chambering problems with once fired cases from unknown sources.
Click to expand...
I don't have dies yet
 
If you really want some great info, the Garand Collector's Association is excellent. They recently issued a DVD on the history of the M1 Garand
 
I like 46.5gr of IMR4064 and Hornady 150gr fmj. I think I need to go to the range now that you speak of the Garand...
 
I've been reloading for Garands for 40 years and have never needed small base dies or a broken case extractor (I have one but have never needed it). I use AA2460, AA2520 (the ball equivalent of IMR 4895 and one of the best for 168 & 172 gr bullets in 308), 748, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, IMR 4320 and anything else that gets in my way (provided it's burn rate is compatible and works). Try them all, and you will find the one your sweet Lucy likes ;-) I've cut back, like Fred, now down to 7 from 11 or 12, but I still love my Garands :cool:
 
When I began high power competition in the mid 1990's, the M1a or the M1 were most common and the powder and bullet of choice was AA2520 and the 168 Sierra Match King.

On a side note, did you serve in SAC, Major? I served in the USAF in the early 60's.

John
 
have never needed small base dies or a broken case extractor (I have one but have never needed it).
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Me neither, but the first day I leave it home I'm sure will be the first day I need it.

J.
 
I have been reloading for the M1 Garand for a long time and I have never needed small base dies. I used regular Lee dies and now I'm using an older RCBS die set, both work well.

I use H4895 but there are a good number of other powders that work extremely well and are safe to use in the M1.
They include:
H4895, IMR4895, IMR4064, AA2495, AA2520 and even Varget but I think it's on the slow side. There are probably a few others but I'm sure those are safe.

As for primers I use a CCI#34 NATO primer but I have also used CCI-200 and CCI-250 primers without issues. I think I have also used a Winchester WLR primer too.

I have found 150gr and 165/168gr bullets work best in the M1 so that's what I use.

You might find this site very helpful. Have fun and good luck!
http://masterpostemple.bravepages.com/M1load.htm
 
lakecitybrass
If you really want some great info, the Garand Collector's Association is excellent. They recently issued a DVD on the history of the M1 Garand
Click to expand...

I joined & just got my DVD yesterday!
 
So I ran off & asked you guys which powder for the M1 Garand assuming I could find some - guess not.

Looked for H4895 and IMR4895 with no Luck - any suggestions on who may have any?
 
I've never had trouble loading for the M-1 or the M-1A using regular full length dies. I even use full length dies in my AR with good results. You can buy fancier dies if you want to, but they are not needed. As powders go, try to stay at 4064 speed or faster. IMR 3031, WW748, The 4895's, H-335, BLC-2, H-380, are a few that are not as popular as they once were, still work good, and may be available. Lightman
 
I reloaded lots of rounds for my M1 Garand using the my regular RCBS FL dies. I switched to the RCBS x-die to try and extend the case life. Both are regular, no need or desire for small base dies.

IMR-4895 is my powder of choice, 47.0gr with 150gr bullets and 46.5gr with 168gr bullets.
 
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