M-1 Garand loads

[boarhog]

I have misplaced the M-1 Garand suggested loads data I once had. If anyone has a source, I would be grateful.
Boarhog

[orion]

I have a M-1 and wanted to start reloading for it, but now I can't find any mil spec primers. From what I understand that is one of the requirements. Obviously you can load it with standard but you may be sorry if she lets go out of battery or slam fires. From what I have read the powder for the Garand is IMR4895 and powders that work well are between IMR4064 and 4895 in burn rates/preassure curves. Don't believe people who tell you to just buy factory. I have seen bent op rods, its all about port pressure and burn rate, of the powder. Most factory ammo uses too slow of a powder for the M-1. 150 grain to 180 grain bullets only. It sounds like the adjustable gas port may be the way to go, if you want to shoot factory or the questionable greek ammo.

Google reloading for the M-1 garand and you will wind much info.

If I ever find some mil spec primers and load some I will post the results and the loads I use.

Regards

[rossman40]

The CCI #34 primers are the choice for the M-1. You can get by with Federal 210 or even CCI LR. Grafs or Wideners use to be the places to get them but the last I checked they were totaly out of LR primers. Another go-to is TNT Reloading.

As far as powder 4895 is the powder but some guys told me they are having real good luck with IMR 4350 set off by a #34. Supposedly because it is a compressed load.

As far as factory ammo the yardstick has been the Federal Gold Medal Match ammo and supposedly the new Hornady Garand match ammo is very good also but just as expensive as the Federal ($34 a box). I use to use Black Hills in the blue box but all they sell now is the more expensive Gold box.

I use a bolt action 30-06 and use Varget or 4895. I wanted to try some VV N160 with some 190gr SMKs down at the cabin last weekend (400 & 600yds) but no one local had the bullets (or any decent bullets for that matter).

[boarhog]

Thanks guys. I found some good info on Google. I somethimes forget to use it. I know that the burnig rate is important to keep from bending the op rod. I saw those listed somewhere for near $100.00 each! I think I would be afraid of 4350. It may be too slow. I found an empty box I had M-1 loads in several years back. The label said I used 4064 and they shot well in my Garand. Trouble was, they shot very well in my Son's '06 too, and he thieved them to shoot poor little deer. At least he brought my box of cases back!

[mshm99]

In the book "The Complete M1 Garand" Paladin Press,ISBN 0-87364-984-2 by Jim Thompson,takes the optimum velocity approach to accuracy.

Bullet Weight Velocity Window

147-152 2690-2810 fps

168-175 2590-2660 fps

Powders,4064,varget,4895,winchester748,760,blc,re19,3031,h322 and my choice 50.1 Gr of VV N-150 and 168Gr. Sierra BTHP match bullet. With a chrony, I found an very accurate load in short order.

I use regular WW large rifle primers. I've reloaded at least 1200 rounds with the above VV load( based on cmp match SR1 targets) with out a problem. One of my Garands has the op-rod that failed quite often ,that has had the field mod of drilling a small hole at the dog leg point where they broke.I mention this to illustrate that this is not a destructive load and these weapons are not dainty little flowers.

I have 8 suggested loads for 168 gr. and 8 for 150 gr. State your powder choice and I'll give you the load.

This book has everything you'd ever want to know about the Garand. I have two Garands I shoot at CMP matches. Arguably one of the finest weapons ever made.

mshm

[boarhog]

mshm99,
I have on hand, 150 and 165 gr Rem CL, BL-C2, some IMR-4064, a little IMR-4320 and 4895. I also have some RL-19 and 22, Retumbo, H-870, and a few other magnum powders, but I always thought those would be too slow for the Garand? Oh! And I also have a full lb of AA-2460 that might be OK for it.
Basically, I want loads that will dependably operate the action without the likelyhood of bending the op rod, and be reasonably accurate. I have shot a few matches, but mostly want to have fun, and possibly even use it deer hunting some.
Thanks for your help.
Boarhog

[mshm99]

Page 147 of "The Complete M1 Garand" lists the following:

147 GR. to 150 GR. LOADS
IMR4895--49 GR
BLC2--50.7GR
RE19--60.8
IMR4064--51.2

165-168 GR LOADS
RE19--55.3
IMR4895--47GR
BLC2--46.5
RE15--46.6
IMR4064--45.9

I checked these loads against two other reloading manuals and they pretty much fell in between the start/max loads in those manuals.

With a little tuning any good Garand will shoot sub MOA. Have you bedded the action? It is not real hard to do. The most elaborate tool you need is a dremel. Bedding will cut groups in half,if you have a loose fitting stock.

mshm

[boarhog]

mshm,
My M-1 is stock. Just as it came from the DCM or whatever it's called now. I'm sure it could use bedding and some target type sights. Trigger work would be wonderful!

I have a Dremmel tool, and I've bedded a few rifles. All bolt actions. I can probably do the M-1 with some study. I also just received a Boyd's stock for my ruger 44 Carbine. I'll need to finish inletting it, bed, and finish with Tung Oil. I probably need to see if I can order a copy of that book!

Thanks for the load info. I will print it out for future use. I have hardly shot my M-1 since I got it about 15 years ago. I plan to change that asap!
Boarhog

[mshm99]

The NRA pulished a booklet "THE M1 RIFLE" #ASB10330, which pretty much covers the bedding process. Also covers accurizing. Jim Thompsons book ,referred to above,is also good. I've just got a new printer/scanner. If you like I'll copy the relevant articles and e-mail them to you.

The biggest issue with accuracy is that the action fits tight in the stock,so it does not squirm around every time you pull the trigger. Bedding addresses that , although some stocks were cut a little smaller than others,which accounts for some shooting better than others.

The DCM became CMP ,Civilian Marksmanship Program. I got both of mine there before the prices went out of sight. They can be found at :

www.odcmp.com

mshm

[boarhog]

MSHM,
I would be grateful if you can send me anything that you think will help. My email is [e-mail]
Seems like I paid $275.00 for mine. Stock shows light use, but the metal parts look new. I would love to get another one along with a Carbine. I let an Underwood carbine get away from me when I was young and dumb. Too rich for my budget nowdays, plus I think our club dropped out of the CMP affiliated list. I would have to drive to Little Rock or elsewhere to shoot the required match rounds. I haven't shot it in several years, but I think I remember it grouping about 3-4" at 100 yds. That was with CMP mil ammo. I haven't worked up any handloads to see if I can do better.
Thanks,
Robert

[chuck41]

Would love to have a M-1 Carbine, but can't justify the cost right now. By time I can the price will likely have escalated again. They are not a real practical rifle. A bit too light to be really good for deer, but are one heck of a lot of fun to shoot. That's what I first qualified with in the AF many moons ago.

[mshm99]

Boar, check your email.

I wish I would have got an 03-A3 when the gettin was good. My uncle has a rockola carbine that he has had for 50 years. He picked it out of a pile that was lying on the floor. They were common as belly buttons in them days.

mshm

[chuck41]

My brother got an 03-A3 back many years ago. Don't know what he ever did with it, but I know he does not have it now. It was a very nice shooting rifle.

[mshm99]

03-A3's can still be had through the CMP if you got deep pockets. And I've never seen one that did not shoot. Many returning vets sporterized them.

I'll say I could not afford my Garands if I had to buy them today.

mshm