M1 question

[BsChoy]

I have been reloading for my M1 since I got it in 2007. I have settled on IMR4064 which I new to be an acceptable powder speed and 155 HPBT Nosler bullets. Now I was at Barnes and Noble the other night and saw a magazine dedicated to the Garand, the carbine, and the M14. In that mag was an article on reloading and it said not to even attempt to get more than 2700-2750 fps out of a 150 grain round or risk damage.

I found my most accurate round is a 155 hpbt on top of 49.5 grains of 4064. I haven't chrono'd it yet cuz of the feet of snow still on the ground but I was wondering if this sounds excessive to anyone? I looked long and hard for info on reloading the Garand before I started and never used a slower powder than the 4064 I use today.

 

[jcwit]

When I first started reloading for my Garand I called Hodgdon and was told to NEVER use a powder slower than H380 and your 4064 is a faster powder so should be OK.

With that being said I can't find a load spific for your weight of bullet but by the Lee Reloading Manual it gives a load for a 165 gr. jacketed bullet at 47.5 gr.s of 4064 giving 2740 fps. So I would "guess" the lighter bullet would be even faster.

I load with 4895 which is supposed to be very similar to the government load.

 

[dirtman]

Choy,

I haven't loaded for a M1 Garand for at least 30 years and can't remember my old data..... But i do remember more than once, one near me coming unglued..... its not a fun time... so be real careful and tone down your load until you either work up a load with a chrony or get more data.... be safe... the Garand does not like anything hot...
have fun...

 

[61chalk]

IMR4064 with 147 to 155 gr. FMJ, HPBT use 50.0 powder....you using 49.5 so you are good to go sir. However, if you are reloading HXP brass, subtract 2.0 which would be 48.0 of powder.

 

[Grump]

My Dad got peak accuracy in his NM Garand with both 168 SMKs (before anyone else had started using them) AND 173-gr M72s (!!!) using 49.0 of 4064.

Almost every time I've run QuickLOAD on some charge or bullet weight that was supposed to be "dangerous" for an M1 or M14-type, the port pressure predicted was well within specs.

Since the M2 Ball round when 2850 at 78 feet to the instrument, I would not worry.

2750 at 78 feet was the M80 Ball spec, NOT .30-06. Seeing it in print means only that it's printed, not that it's true.

 

[P-32]

I've been reloading for M-1's for over 30 years. I'm currently waiting for a service grade Winchester from the CMP to arrive. I will add this one to my stable and will start saving up for a IHC.

I have one M-1 which is match tuned and in 308 but lets talk the '06 ones.

I have found IMR 4064 to be a good powder to use if you want to squeeze smaller groups out of the rifle.

My current match load is 46.5 grs of IMR 4064 in a GI case with a 155 gr SMK "Palma" bullet and a CCI large Rifle or better yet a CCI BR primer. This load has shot well (sub MOA at a 100 open sights) in my service grade Springer and correct grade H&R.

You might think this load is a bit light and maybe it is. But I can hit the 10 ring at 600 yards with this load even in the wind. The 155 flys better than the 168 IMHO. I like loads which put as many bullets in the same hole as i can and easy on the brass, easy on the rifle.

The single thing I found which will help GI brass is a primer pocket uniformer and of course GI brass has to be swaged to get rid of the crimp.