M1 Garand powder

[Charlie98]

I've been shooting my Garand for 25 years, I've always used IMR4895 under both the 150grn FMJ's and 168grn BTHP's with decent results... this just plinking and informal target shooting. I'm fixing to drop IMR4895 from the roster, the cartridges I've loaded previously with it have benefited from other powders... namely IMR's 4064 and 3031... so that's what I would like to use in lieu of IMR4895 in the Garand.

Some of you guys have way more trigger time behind the M1 than I do... considering what I'm loading, what would be the best powder? I know IMR4064 works well behind the 168's in the Garand, but I don't know about the 150's. I don't know how well IMR3031 works in the Garand with either weight bullet, I'm wondering if it might be too fast for the stock gas system.

Looking for your experiences, I don't need quotes from the loading manual. I'm not opposed to just sticking with IMR4895 if that's the best choice, but I'd love to be able to have to stock one less powder.

 

[edwardware]

Paging @Slamfire your assistance is required.

 

[Rod47]

You do know 4895 was formulated to have the correct pressure curve specificaly for the M1. Why change?

 

[25-5]

Though I mostly load the 168gr A-Max, I have had fine results with Varget with the 150gr.
I've used both 4895's and do like the powders, but Varget works best for my battle rifles.

 

[Thomasss]

I've loaded both 3031 and 4064 for the M1 and found both to be very good. Both powders can be used for either bullet size as long as you watch maximum velocity. I have always followed either Jim Thompson's recommendations or Hornady's powder guide for the M1 loads and found them to be exceptional.

 

[Ifishsum]

I use IMR4064 for 150 and 168s, works great for me in both. Have not had a reason to try 3031 for M1 loads myself

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMR4895 was developed to load the M1 and IMO it's still the best choice. It's good for many other cartridges too. I the to keep an 8lb jug in stock at all times.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I’d stick with the 4895. Not that 3031 and 4064 won’t work, but because IMO, it’s nearly ideal. And a pretty versatile powder to boot

 

[Random 8]

I run 47-IMR 4064 under 150s (46 with 168s). I'm loading the Speer 150 SP, Hor 150 FMJBT and Nosler 155 BTHP with HXP brass and SB primers. Accuracy is outstanding, and haven't bent an op rod yet.

I've cleaned the SR at 200 from prone and sitting with both the 155 Nosler and the 150 Hornady with this load.

 

[Charlie98]

You do know 4895 was formulated to have the correct pressure curve specificaly for the M1. Why change?

It's good for many other cartridges too. I the to keep an 8lb jug in stock at all times.

I run 47-IMR 4064 under 150s (46 with 168s).

At one time I had 32# of IMR4895 under the bench, and I've used it for pretty much everything. I've always called IMR4895 the 'Unique' of rifle powders, because you can use it pretty much anywhere... but unlike Unique, is usually isn't the best powder in each circumstance, and I don't use it in anything but the M1 now. I acknowledge IMR4895 is probably the best powder for the M1. But. I'm not lining up at Camp Perry... I'm just having fun with it, and poking holes in paper... and it is my favorite rifle to shoot Tannerite. I do NOT, however, want to break my rifle, but I don't want to have to trick it out to shoot it, either. If IMR4895 is The Answer, I'll just suck it up and move on....

Actually, 47grn IMR4895 is my drop for 150's, and 46grn for 168's. Nice, mild shooting loads that don't hammer the action.

 

[Laphroaig]

The only beef I have with IMR4895 is that it is temperature sensitive. Keep your ammo box in the shade and you won't have any problems.

I switched to Varget many years ago (similar burn rate to 4064) but wouldn't have any issue switching back to 4895.

 

[tlf65]

I've always used either IMR4895 or Varget and mostly used 168gr bullets.

 

[Eugen]

I don't shoot my Garand that often, so I doubt I can justify the dies, etc. But, then I am retired and have the time to enjoy the journey. I like posts like this that provide practical information and encouragement.

 

[Random 8]

Actually, 47grn IMR4895 is my drop for 150's, and 46grn for 168's. Nice, mild shooting loads that don't hammer the action.

You'll get similar results with IMR 4064. I have used H4895 in my M1 and surpassed the accuracy with 4064. It's interesting that in this rifle, 4895s, 4064 and Varget all generate approximately the same velocity with the same charges per Hornady data. They are quite close in burn range. Several other M1 shooters locally also use either 4064 or Varget. When I posted on CMP forums many years ago looking for an OTC M1 load, 4064 with the 168 was the choice most recommended from guys who do step up to the line at Perry.

 

[Charlie98]

I don't shoot my Garand that often, so I doubt I can justify the dies, etc. But, then I am retired and have the time to enjoy the journey. I like posts like this that provide practical information and encouragement.

Oddly enough, I probably enjoy reloading .30-06 for the M1 more than any other rifle cartridge, save maybe the .45-70. Of course, I think an en bloc clip of those big, slender, beautiful cartridges is a work of art as well... but I'm weird that way.

 

[Charlie98]

You'll get similar results with IMR 4064. I have used H4895 in my M1 and surpassed the accuracy with 4064. It's interesting that in this rifle, 4895s, 4064 and Varget all generate approximately the same velocity with the same charges per Hornady data. They are quite close in burn range. Several other M1 shooters locally also use either 4064 or Varget. When I posted on CMP forums many years ago looking for an OTC M1 load, 4064 with the 168 was the choice most recommended from guys who do step up to the line at Perry.

Well... and that's kind of what I was thinking, at least with the 168's. I thought IMR4064 was The powder of choice for that, not only in the Garand, but the M1a as well. One of the changes I made was to IMR4064 with 168's in my Savage bolt gun... it hated IMR4895, and I was really astounded at the accuracy changes just by switching to IMR4064 in that rifle. My question about using it in the Garand would be the gas system, and the possible need for an adjustable gas plug. I just don't know enough, which is why I'm axing.

 

[Random 8]

I'm shooting it with the GI gas plug in both 168 and 150 grains. No issues over some 2000 or more rounds.

 

[lightman]

I've used both 4064 and Varget in my stock Garand with good accuracy and no problems. I'll admit, 4895 is hard to beat but 4064 seems to give it a run for the money.

 

[7mmsavage]

I use IMR4064 because I couldn’t find 4895 when I started reloading for my Garand. Since then I’ve tried 4895 in both the Garand and M1a. Both work well for my informal shooting. I even use the same charge weight for both powders.

At this point I’ve used 4064 so much that I’m very comfortable with it and try to stick with it as often as possible. I use it in several surplus bolt rifles too. Like others have said, maybe not perfect but it works in all of them. I don’t use it in my AR’s but I think I might even try that too.

 

[Charlie98]

If IMR4895 is The Answer, I'll just suck it up and move on....

As a follow up... I'll quote myself... ^^^

2 brief load tests with H335 and IMR4064... neither of which produced the accuracy of IMR4895, all else being equal. One thing H335 did produce... was a huge fireball. Sooty necks, flat primers, mediocre accuracy... and the IMR4895 control loads outshot and outperformed them with ease. Time to move on...

 

[wombat13]

I have H4895. Is that close enough to IMR 4895 for use in my Garand?

 

[Charlie98]

I've found the H version to produce more velocity per charge than IMR... for example, my standard load is 47grn IMR4895, but only 46grn H4895 produces the same velocity.

 

[mdi]

Yes, the two most popular powders for the 30-06 Garand are IMR 4895 and IMR 4064, but there are other "safe", and often used powders for reloading (basically any between IMR 3031, fastest. to IMR 4320 slowest are safe). I like to keep 8 lb jugs of the 4895 and 4064 on hand, but I have successfully used other powders. A few 147 gr pulls, a lot of 155 BTFMJ 150 gr A-Max loaded with 3031, some with Varget, Win 748, and BL-C2. Loaded to "Garand pressures" no Op Rod damage. I tried 168 gr. bullets with these powders too, but most of my loads were with 150 A-Max, and the 155 gr. BTFMJ.

 

[1KPerDay]

I have H4895. Is that close enough to IMR 4895 for use in my Garand?

Yes. Many people use them interchangeably FOR THE GARAND. In fact they used to be the same powder, depending on when you bought them. Hodgdon started out selling IMR4895 in bulk under their label. Based on the pictures I've seen of the two powders, my 20lb canister of H4895 from the 70's is actually IMR4895 (the granules are black, not greenish). They are made in different plants/countries now and have slightly different properties. BUT FOR THE GARAND 47 grains of either will usually be very close to an ideal charge.

 

[Charlie98]

my 20lb canister of H4895 from the 70's is actually IMR4895 (the granules are black, not greenish).

I compared my IMR4895 (from the metal can...) to the single pound of H4895 (plastic can, old label...) and the H did have a different hue to it. I bought it back in the late '90's when I couldn't find any IMR4895 on the shelf, assuming they were very close. In my case, they were not... I automatically reduced to 46grn on the workup, but found that weight (with my particular lot...) to be basically identical to the 47grn charge of IMR4895. Since then, when I start using new lots of rifle powder, I drop a grain or so and check performance before I load up a bunch. That's one of the reasons why I bought 4 8#'ers of IMR4895 when I started loading .30 in earnest.