Waiting on CMP, want to verify data

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lpsharp88

lpsharp88

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I'm waiting on the CMP to mail me my Garand, and want to check on load info. I have Hornady 9th, Speer 14th, Lee 2nd, and Lyman 49th, and I noticed that Hornady is the only one that has Garand specific data. Is the 30-06 data in the other books Garand safe, or should I just use the Hornady info? I don't want a bent op rod or other issues. Also, what's a good powder? Based on what I've read online, people seem to use H4895, IMR 4895, and IMR 4064. Any others to consider? I only have Reloder 10X, AR Comp, and CFE 223, so I obviously need to get some powder for it.

Thanks in advance


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If you run with the Hornady 9th Edition M1 Garand load data you will be fine. The powders you mention give about the best performance such as IMR 4895, H4895, and IMR 4064. I also loaded and liked the VihtaVuori N-135 and N-140 powders. AA2495 would round out the powders I liked.Another source is the NRA Master Po M1 Garand Load Data.

The Hornady and Master Po loads are tailored to deliver safe pressure and more important pressure curves when used in the M1 Garand rifle. You should not necessarily use general 30-06 Springfield loads and you should not exceed a 180 grain bullet weight.

As you can see the Hornady manual suggest WLR primers (Winchester Large Rifle). A good primer choice is the CCI #34 Large Rifle Primer for the reasons mentioned in the link. These primers are designed for military rifles using a less sensitive design for rifles with a free floating firing pin like the M1 Garand. They are my first choice.

Ron
 
lpsharp88 said:
Also, what's a good powder? Based on what I've read online, people seem to use H4895, IMR 4895, and IMR 4064.
Click to expand...

Port pressure is the Achilles heal of the Garand. Too high and you risk damaging your op rod.

Modern, slower burning powders that are available today result in high port pressures in the Garand. The Garand receiver is plenty strong, the op rod is not.

You can get a pressure relieving gas cylinder plugs for the Garand that permit using slower burning powders. McCann and Shuster are the manufacturers.

An aside, when you get your Garand, you will find the op rod has a couple of bends in it. It is supposed to so do not get alarmed.

H4895, IMR4895, IMR4064 are good choices, there are a few others. Sources mentioned by Reloadron are good ones for Garand safe loads.

Enjoy your Garand.
 
Powders between IMR 4895 and IMR 4064 in the burn rate chart are appropriate for Garands. Most data listed for 30-06 rifles has the maximum about 2 grains more than you should use in M1 Garands. For instance some data list 50 grains of IMR 4895 as max for 30-06 while loads for the Garand should be kept to about 48 grains maximum. Most popular loads for IMR 4895 with 150 grain bullets are 46.5 to 47.5 grains. You'll love the Garand. Note that Garands need grease in appropriate areas and not just gun oil. Go ahead and get some recommended Garand grease. Your new rifle will probably need a good strip down cleaning?? My opinion is you don't need to start below 45 grains when working up your loads in a Garand with IMR 4895 powder. Make sure primers are seated below flush. Have fun.
 
I really like IMR4064 for the Garand. only tried one other - H4895. 4064 loads clearly shot better for me and it was also easier to find at the time I started loading for the M1.
 
Wow, thanks for the advice! I'll look at the links ReloadRon provided later, and will try to source those specific powders and primers. I think I'm gonna start with 150gr FMJBT.
Does using the other gas plug allow using "normal" 30-06 data with bullets 180gr and under?


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Somehing I forgot to mention is the Schuster Plug, M1 Garand Adjustable Gas Plug . Replaces the standard M1 Garand gas plug and allows you to control how much gas with a specific load (cartridge) is allowed into the system. Not really needed if you are using Garand safe loads but something to consider. Schuster as an example as a few companies market them under different names.

Does using the other gas plug allow using "normal" 30-06 data with bullets 180gr and under?
Click to expand...

Yes! That's the whole idea behind it.

Ron
 
I have a 2 1/2 year old "Special Grade" Garand from CMP (refurbished with new Criterion bbl.). I did a lot of research on loading for the Garand and I've stuck with the Hornady data and reduced the Master Po's data about 1 grain (prolly be OK just think that data is a bit high). I've fired just under 1800 rounds (yep, I keep score) and 90% is with IMR 4064 with mostly Nosler an Hormady bullets from 150 gr to 168 gr. I tried 3031 and Varget which I had around but like IMR 4064, it seems consistent (and I have 4 lbs.)...

My 10-22 is almost as fun as my Garand, but I prefer my Springfield over my Ruger for jes plain old fun...
 
Reloadron, thanks for that! I'll look into the plug, just so I have more options to reload for. mdi, I got the special grade as well and am VERY excited for it. How did yours turn out?
 
Excellent! I'm not into collecting, but shooting. I started shooting my new then Garand with HXP surplus from CMP, and have reloaded most of the brass. My first groups were about 6"-8" @ 100, but I'm a lousy shot, I guess. I enjoy taking my time; 1, 2, 3,....8, PING! Front sight is a bit hard for my old eyes to see (69 and trifocals) but with practice I'm getting better.

I did a bit of reading on my new toy; "The M1 Garand: Owners Guide" by Scott Duff, "The M1 Rfle" NRA Publication, and "The Do Everything Manual, M1 Garand" by Puglies are pretty good texts, and there's a few Garand Owners forums on line. CMP also has articles/info ("Field Stripping the M1", "Detail Stripping the M1", and "Re-assembly of the M1" are the ones I printed and keep in my Garand file). The Garand Collectors Association is also an excellent source of good info on tht M1 Garand...
 
Awesome. I also got the HXP surplus, the 192 rounds loaded in the en blocs. Figured it was a good way to get the ammo and the clips all at once. This rifle is definitely going to be a shooter, not a wall hanger. I'll look at those books as well. I just sent my stuff to the CMP a week and a day ago, and their site says 30-60 days, so I still have plenty of time to read up on everything. Not gonna lie though, I hope it comes in under 30 haha.

I think for now I'll hold off on getting the new plug. I will have plenty of ammo to shoot at first, and don't care to load the "Garand Safe" ammo, but I do like the idea of increasing my options with the new plug. We'll see as time goes on.
 
lpsharp88 said:
I just sent my stuff to the CMP a week and a day ago, and their site says 30-60 days, so I still have plenty of time to read up on everything. Not gonna lie though, I hope it comes in under 30 haha.
Click to expand...

Oce you get your CMP e-store sign in info, you can check the status/progress of your order in the "Order History" section of the e-store.

The first thing you should get will be an e-mail affectionately called the DBU (don't bother us) letting you know the order has been received and is beginning processing.

When you see your credit card's been charged, shipping is soon. When you see a serial number, shipping is imminent.

Part of the fun is constantly checking the e-store to see if there is any update.

Frequently, the CMP Specials ship a bit quicker than the Service Grades but that is no guarantee. It depends on how back logged they are. A year or two ago, they offered an M1D Special at the same time as a run of IHC Garands. I got my M1D before many folks got their DBU's on the Service Grade IHC they ordered.

It has gone up in price a bit over the years, but HXP is a good brass and CMP HXP ammunition is a good source of brass. I believe it is now priced a bit over the cost of factory new unloaded brass and you get to "unload" it in the bargain. Last I bought several years ago was cost a bit less than factory new unloaded brass.
 
Well dang, I haven't gotten any emails yet! I have been checking to see if I have been charged or not though, and no dice of course


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Find yourself M2 bullets for your M1. Those Hornady FMJ's will work fine, but the M2 is what was fired in these rifles to begin with. I find they fly better.
 
Another simple tip on the M1 is to watch the ejection direction which is a good general indication about how well matched the ammo to the gas system. They should eject foward to 2:00 or so if everything is happy, to 3:00 when it's starting to get warm and if they're flying over your shoulder to 5 or 6:00 you're WAY too hot!! Or there are issues with the rifle. Either way, if your ejection starts to wander back past 3:00 it's time to stop and investigate what's going on.
 
You're going to really like having that M-1 in your safe. You'll like it better at the range!

I've only loaded with IMR 4895 (47gr). 150 Hornady fmj and CCI #34. Never played with it. I don't compete and haven't shot past 200 yds.

Load, shoot, repeat. The grins will just happen!

Mark
 
I'll see what I can source powder wise from my LGS, I'd prefer to not pay the hazmat fee to ship the powder. Hopefully they have a decent selection. Thanks for the heads up about the ejection pattern, I'll look at that once I start shooting my reloads through it.
 
No dice on powder from the LGS, or dies, or shell holder, or primers. Looks like a trip to Lexington could be in order sometime, maybe Friday.

On a good note, I got the "Don't Bother Us" email, and my card has been charged! Hopefully I'll have a rifle in the next week or two.
 
Hopefully you will find some powder. When you do I suggest buying several pounds if the pocket book allows. Enjoy your new rifle when it shows up.

Ron
 
lpsharp88 said:
On a good note, I got the "Don't Bother Us" email, and my card has been charged! Hopefully I'll have a rifle in the next week or two.
Click to expand...

You should have received sign in info and password for the CMP e-store by now.

If you sign in and look at your order history you can get an idea when the rifle ships. When a serial number appears and/or a tracking number, the rifle is essentially on the way.

Rifle orders, even though you do not order through the CMP e-store system, end up there. CMP uses the system for all orders. Rifle orders are inputted by the CMP staff.

Enjoy your new Garand.
 
I got the login info today, and checked and saw I had been charged. I have an order number, but no tracking info yet, so hopefully soon!
 
lpsharp88 said:
No dice on powder from the LGS, or dies, or shell holder, or primers. Looks like a trip to Lexington could be in order sometime, maybe Friday.

On a good note, I got the "Don't Bother Us" email, and my card has been charged! Hopefully I'll have a rifle in the next week or two.
Click to expand...
While on the way to Lexington you need to stop at a little place in Richmond called Reloaders Supply. He probably has a better powder supply than any place in Lexington.
 
Ah, the fun now begins!

Check about once a day. When you see a serial number and/or a tracking number your rifle is on its way.

It is all part of the fun.

If you look on the CMP forum, their may be a thread that gives you an idea what folks are seeing in delivery times.

I have enjoyed working with CMP and I enjoy my Garands. Yes plural.

Be careful, Garands are like Lays potato chips. No body can have just one.
 
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