M1 Garand Powders

[dajavue]

:banghead:
With the limited availability of the more commonly used powders I am looking at some different powders to load in my m1 30-06. Specificly I am looking at Alliant powder Reloader 17. I know that the Reloader 15 is better but I have a chance to pick up a 5# jug that is 2008 MFG and is unopened, the guy that owns it shoots 308 with it in a bolt gun one of those 1000 yds guys. He likes it for 308, bought 4 5# jugs of the same run, and wants to get rid of this 5# because it isn't the same production run. I talked to Alliant and their powder guy suggested RL 15, but can't find that or IMR powders. The RL 17 burns slower than RL 15 but faster than RL 19 gee thats why it's RL 17. Any suggestions on this. The burn rate is the same as IMR 4350, just a higher energy, this is what Graf and Sons states about the RL 17.

Product Information
Reloader 17 is an all-new, double-base powder that promises to deliver higher velocities than competitive powders for many popular calibers. It is a high-energy powder with a burn rate close to IMR 4350, and “midway between Reloder 15 and Reloder 19.” The powder density is optimized for the short magnum cases such as the 7mm WSM and 300 WSM, but it also will work very well with cartridges such as .243 Win, .270 Win, 6XC, and 6mm Remington.

Also if it won't work in my m1 will it work in my M14?

 

[Sport45]

Welcome to The High Road!

It's generally accepted that powders for the Garand should be no slower than IMR4320 or no faster than IMR3031. I would think RL-17, as described, is too slow for the Garand's gas action. I don't have a M1A (semi-auto version of your M14) so I never checked into the reloading requirements for that one.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If RL-17 is similar in burn rate to 4350 it's too slow for the Garand.

If you can find some RL-12 that would be a better choice to replace RL-15 than RL-17 will be. You can use H335, Ball C (2), W748 or Varget will work in the Garand.

BTW, I'm told Accurate Arms AA2495 is a duplicate of 4895 so if that's available it's probably your best choice. You can also use AA2520 from what I'm told. It's also very close to 4895 and will duplicate the pressure curve.

 

[USSR]

dajavue,

Yes, RL17 is too slow for the M1/M1A platform. RL15 is as slow as would be suitable.

Don

 

[bfoosh006]

Sorry, but I wouldn't use that one. It will needlessly "batter" the gun.

Read these first two articles for more da_ _ good info.http://www.zediker.com/downloads/m14.html

 

[mp43sniper]

I have a 8lb jug of IMR4895 I'd love to trade for a 8 pounder of IMR4198....too bad we aren't closer. You may want to post some wanted ads and maybe you could trade with somebody local instead of experimenting.

Craig

 

[jcwit]

Hodgdon Tech informed me NEVER to use a powder slower than their H-380 in a Garand.

 

[faire bien de...!]

My suggestion would be don't think Reloader 17 is 4895! If you can not find 4895 in your area, then please do not try to get away with what you CAN find. You need a 4895 type burn rate powder for your M1, non? So, how will RE-17 suit you? It won't, it's not what you need or should be shooting...

 

[skidooman603]

If ya stick to what Hornady publishes in their Garand section you can't go wrong. Think it's Varget, IMR 4064, H4895, W748, ect. I have used all of these with good results.