M1A Loading

[skidooman603]

Just got finished reading an article by an M1A "Guru" who really only recommended the "4895's" and IMR 4064. I looked at the Hornady Manual and it listed numerous powders, including my favorite "Varget". What are your experiences? I've loaded for the M1 forever and expected to follow the same pressure protocal.

 

[loadedround]

Skidoo, I too started out loading my Garand with 4895 and when I purchased my NM M1A I also used 4895 in it. However when I aquired a large quantity of GI 147 gr bullets, I tried them with Varget and found my rife to shoot under 1" with this powder and LC Match brass Iwas sold on Varget and haven't changed a thing since. If you are planning to shoot 168 gr match bullets, I would stick with either 4895 powder.

 

[skidooman603]

LoadedRound With the 147's how many gr of Varget you using?

 

[loadedround]

Ski: I've settled on 46.5 gr of Varget, Winchester LR primers, and either LC Match cases(for match/target work) or Federal cases for general use (plinking or practice). I would like to work up a 168 gr load for 300+ yds but haven't had the time to do so yet. Would suspect that 4895 or Ball(C)-2 would be the powder of choice for that bullet weight.

 

[Noveldoc]

Totally love Varget in my Garand. Great accuracy and functioning.

Tom

 

[Dave P]

"Ski: I've settled on 46.5 gr of Varget" Thats a HOT load! What velocity??

 

[Slamfire]

I have used IMR 4895/AA2495 for decades now in my Garands and M1a's. AA2495 is Accurate Arms copy of 4895.

Changing powders is not going to improve my scores. Only work on sight alignment, trigger pull, and position.

I have shot many cleans with the stuff in bolt rifles. A post sight is so much harder to use than an aperature.

 

[ACP230]

I've used H4895 and IMR 4895 in my M1 and M1A.
They work so well I felt no need to try other powders.

 

[skidooman603]

Nice shootin slam...I would be plenty happy there too. I loaded some Garand loads with Varget @ 46.5. Seems smokin for .308...??