44.5 too light of a load for the m1

schill32 · October 22, 2013, 09:29 PM

I'm reloading for my M1 garand and wondering if IMR 4895 @ 44.5 grains is too light. The reason why I'm asking is that when I put a loaded clip in and fire a couple of rounds quickly I have one round that doesn't chamber properly and its happens frequently so I replaced the follower and the follower arm and is well lubed and still have the problem. Do I need to replace more parts or make it hotter load.

chris in va · October 22, 2013, 09:55 PM

The 'standard' M1 4895 load is 47 gr with a 150gr FMJ. 44.5 is much too low and is probably short stroking the bolt.

schill32 · October 23, 2013, 06:29 AM

Forgot to mention that I,m shooting 168 grn nosler custom competition boat tail

precision_shooter · October 23, 2013, 07:31 AM

I'm using 46gr of Varget in my .308 loads using 155gr bullets. I would say 44.5gr is way too light and like Chris in VA said, is short stroking your bolt due to the light charge.

rodfac · October 23, 2013, 08:20 AM

I've used 46.0 of IMR 4895 for years with Sierra's 168 HPBT Match bullet with good results and no failures of any kind in functioning. Your load seems a bit on the light side, though Lyman's 49th Manual lists 43.0 gr of 4895 at a COL of 3.300 for the Sierra 168 gr HPBT. Don't know if your bullet corresponds to that seating depth so I may be comparing apples to oranges....You might try the CMP's site for specific loading recommendations...they used to have some good info there.

Checking my loading notes, I see that I seat that Sierra bullet out to 3.320" COL for both M1 Garand and several 03 Springfields...you might try a slightly longer COL as well.

HTH's Rod

schill32 · October 26, 2013, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the input.
Loaded 46 grn of imr 4895 with 168 noslers
And tested them and got the same results
Than some one said check the gas plug
And I did and it's was loose.
So I will load up some more and test them
At 44.5 to see if this fixed the problem
And at 46 grns of imr4896 my pattern opened up
Considerably with 44.5 I can get all 10 shots in the black at the CMP match shoots that's why I like this load
I will test this weekend and hope it was a gas plug problem.
May be short stroking because of gas plug. I can go to 42.0 grn as my lowest. 39.6 with Hornady 168 grn bthp from Hornady book 8th
Edition they have a garand section in this book.

Will let you know
Thanks Steve

schill32 · October 30, 2013, 01:15 PM

Well I tightened up up the gas plug and tested a batch @44.5 imr 4895
And had no hang ups or shot stroking.
I shot 3 clips thought it. I believe it was the gas plug.
Thanks to everyone who replied
Steve

Slamfire · October 30, 2013, 03:07 PM

I did some load testing with IMR 4895 and found that the Garand action will function with loads just around 2400 fps.

You may find in cold weather that there is not enough gas to cycle the action, but you won't know till you try it.

If is far better to load light in Garands than hot.

Jimro · November 2, 2013, 09:58 AM

NRA recommended loads for Garand service rifle comp.

165/168 grain FMJ, HP or SP bullets
IMR 4895 - 47.0 grains
IMR 4094 - 48.0 grains
AA2520 - 47.5 grains
AA2495 - 47.0 grains
H4895 - 47.5 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 47.0 grains
RL-12 - 44.5 grains

Courtesy of the Alabama Service Rifle team.

Jimro

mikld · November 2, 2013, 11:25 AM

30-06 or .308? So far most of the loads seem to be 30-06, but not stated...

FWIW; I've been using 47 gr. of IMR 4064 under 150 gr. M2 pulls in my 30-06 Garand and it's fairly accurate and reliable.

Jimro · November 3, 2013, 06:09 AM

True, I shouldn't assume that a Garand is in 30-06. However, I'd be impressed by anyone anyone who managed to cram 47 grains of IMR4064 into a 308 case.

Jimro

mikld · November 3, 2013, 11:50 AM

He He, showing my ignorance. Don't reload for .308...

October 22, 2013, 09:29 PM	#1
schill32 Member Join Date: December 5, 2012 Posts: 36	44.5 too light of a load for the m1 I'm reloading for my M1 garand and wondering if IMR 4895 @ 44.5 grains is too light. The reason why I'm asking is that when I put a loaded clip in and fire a couple of rounds quickly I have one round that doesn't chamber properly and its happens frequently so I replaced the follower and the follower arm and is well lubed and still have the problem. Do I need to replace more parts or make it hotter load.

October 23, 2013, 07:31 AM	#4
precision_shooter Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,475	I'm using 46gr of Varget in my .308 loads using 155gr bullets. I would say 44.5gr is way too light and like Chris in VA said, is short stroking your bolt due to the light charge. __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." - Thomas Jefferson, 1776

October 23, 2013, 08:20 AM	#5
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,624	I've used 46.0 of IMR 4895 for years with Sierra's 168 HPBT Match bullet with good results and no failures of any kind in functioning. Your load seems a bit on the light side, though Lyman's 49th Manual lists 43.0 gr of 4895 at a COL of 3.300 for the Sierra 168 gr HPBT. Don't know if your bullet corresponds to that seating depth so I may be comparing apples to oranges....You might try the CMP's site for specific loading recommendations...they used to have some good info there. Checking my loading notes, I see that I seat that Sierra bullet out to 3.320" COL for both M1 Garand and several 03 Springfields...you might try a slightly longer COL as well. HTH's Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

October 26, 2013, 11:51 AM	#6
schill32 Member Join Date: December 5, 2012 Posts: 36	Thanks for the input. Loaded 46 grn of imr 4895 with 168 noslers And tested them and got the same results Than some one said check the gas plug And I did and it's was loose. So I will load up some more and test them At 44.5 to see if this fixed the problem And at 46 grns of imr4896 my pattern opened up Considerably with 44.5 I can get all 10 shots in the black at the CMP match shoots that's why I like this load I will test this weekend and hope it was a gas plug problem. May be short stroking because of gas plug. I can go to 42.0 grn as my lowest. 39.6 with Hornady 168 grn bthp from Hornady book 8th Edition they have a garand section in this book. Will let you know Thanks Steve Last edited by schill32; October 26, 2013 at 12:00 PM.

October 30, 2013, 03:07 PM	#8
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I did some load testing with IMR 4895 and found that the Garand action will function with loads just around 2400 fps. You may find in cold weather that there is not enough gas to cycle the action, but you won't know till you try it. If is far better to load light in Garands than hot. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

October 22, 2013, 09:55 PM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	The 'standard' M1 4895 load is 47 gr with a 150gr FMJ. 44.5 is much too low and is probably short stroking the bolt.

October 23, 2013, 06:29 AM	#3
schill32 Member Join Date: December 5, 2012 Posts: 36	Forgot to mention that I,m shooting 168 grn nosler custom competition boat tail

October 30, 2013, 01:15 PM	#7
schill32 Member Join Date: December 5, 2012 Posts: 36	Well I tightened up up the gas plug and tested a batch @44.5 imr 4895 And had no hang ups or shot stroking. I shot 3 clips thought it. I believe it was the gas plug. Thanks to everyone who replied Steve

November 2, 2013, 09:58 AM	#9
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	NRA recommended loads for Garand service rifle comp. 165/168 grain FMJ, HP or SP bullets IMR 4895 - 47.0 grains IMR 4094 - 48.0 grains AA2520 - 47.5 grains AA2495 - 47.0 grains H4895 - 47.5 grains BLC-2 - 49.0 grains H335 - 47.0 grains RL-12 - 44.5 grains Courtesy of the Alabama Service Rifle team. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

November 2, 2013, 11:25 AM	#10
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	30-06 or .308? So far most of the loads seem to be 30-06, but not stated... FWIW; I've been using 47 gr. of IMR 4064 under 150 gr. M2 pulls in my 30-06 Garand and it's fairly accurate and reliable. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

November 3, 2013, 06:09 AM	#11
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	True, I shouldn't assume that a Garand is in 30-06. However, I'd be impressed by anyone anyone who managed to cram 47 grains of IMR4064 into a 308 case. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

November 3, 2013, 11:50 AM	#12
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	He He, showing my ignorance. Don't reload for .308... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...