M1 Garand Accuracy

Fox84 · February 8, 2015, 05:23 PM

I'am trying to best my surplus HXP 71 & 78 headstamp loads. They shoot 2 inch groups at 100yds. My best handloads are 46.5 grs of H4895 under a 168 SMK and 47.5 grs of IMR4895 and a 150gr Hornady SST. My handloads are real close to the surplus stuff but I thought my reloads be better. Both COL's are 3.250-3.300. My other larger groups were with 4064 powder with similar loading and same bullets.

I'am pretty happy with these groups. I just can't believe the old surplus shoots so well.

Snyper · February 8, 2015, 05:26 PM

Quote:

I just can't believe the old surplus shoots so well.

The load was designed for the rifles

Bart B. · February 8, 2015, 05:45 PM

Regular service Garands have shot that well with pre 1940's ammo made for M1917 and M1919 Browning machine guns and M1903's with 172-gr. FMJBT bullets. That stuff was made before Garands were. Some of it shot as accurate as postwar M72 .30-06 match ammo in them.

Orlando · February 8, 2015, 06:12 PM

If you can put all 8 rds in a 2 inch group at 100 yds with surplus HXP you are doing better than anyone else.

Sport45 · February 8, 2015, 10:05 PM

I think his only HXP component is the brass. I didn't pick that up on my first read either.

Kosh75287 · February 8, 2015, 10:27 PM

I'm not sure about the 168gr. projectiles, but I got the impression that the .30-06 Ball ammo used 50/H4895/150. If that's wrong, please someone jump in.
If it's NOT wrong, would a cautious work-up from 47.5/H4895/155 perhaps yield better groups?

**Unclenick** · February 8, 2015, 10:41 PM

He says his handloads are close to the surplus stuff, so I think the HXP is what is doing well for him.

Fox84,

I suspect you can do better, but there's no guarantee. Some guns just like some bullets better than others. My first Garand shot some surplus similar to yours, but it was match accurized. It would, however, put the 168 grain MatchKings into about 0.7 inches. These were 10 shot groups.

I would suggest looking at several things. First, I would try the factory recommended COL's, which are 3.290" for the 168, and 3.185" (crimp cannelure at the mouth) with the 150. Some bullets like some jump distances better than others, and the factory recommendation gives a reasonably good place to start..

Second, I would look at how much runout your loaded cartridges have. Some guns don't care a lot, but some, particularly those with loose throats, can be influenced a lot by this. One advantage new brass has over resized brass is the necks are usually perfectly aligned as formed. Standard full length resizing dies tend to pull necks off-axis with the expander. There are several ways around that using different dies, like bushing dies without the expander, or Lee Collet Dies in combination with Redding Body Dies, and so on. Do a search on the subject, as it has been covered fairly extensively in other threads.

Third, I would experiment with the charge weight. You can try Dan Newberry's OCW method or the old Audette Ladder, if you have at least a couple hundred yards, preferably three hundred. I have found my rifle liked 47.5 grains of IMR 4895 and 48 grains of 4064 best for the 168. YMMV. The nearest equivalent to the old National Match load is about 47 grains of modern 4895 under the 175 grain Sierra MatchKing bullet.

February 8, 2015, 05:23 PM	#1
Fox84 Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2012 Location: Chester Va Posts: 360	M1 Garand Accuracy I'am trying to best my surplus HXP 71 & 78 headstamp loads. They shoot 2 inch groups at 100yds. My best handloads are 46.5 grs of H4895 under a 168 SMK and 47.5 grs of IMR4895 and a 150gr Hornady SST. My handloads are real close to the surplus stuff but I thought my reloads be better. Both COL's are 3.250-3.300. My other larger groups were with 4064 powder with similar loading and same bullets. I'am pretty happy with these groups. I just can't believe the old surplus shoots so well.

February 8, 2015, 10:05 PM	#5
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	I think his only HXP component is the brass. I didn't pick that up on my first read either. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

February 8, 2015, 10:27 PM	#6
Kosh75287 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2007 Posts: 820	I'm not sure about the 168gr. projectiles, but I got the impression that the .30-06 Ball ammo used 50/H4895/150. If that's wrong, please someone jump in. If it's NOT wrong, would a cautious work-up from 47.5/H4895/155 perhaps yield better groups? __________________ GOD BLESS JEFF COOPER, whose instructions, consultations, and publications have probably saved more lives than can ever be reliably calculated. DVC, sir. انجلو. المسلحة. جاهزة. Carpe SCOTCH!

February 8, 2015, 10:41 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	He says his handloads are close to the surplus stuff, so I think the HXP is what is doing well for him. Fox84, I suspect you can do better, but there's no guarantee. Some guns just like some bullets better than others. My first Garand shot some surplus similar to yours, but it was match accurized. It would, however, put the 168 grain MatchKings into about 0.7 inches. These were 10 shot groups. I would suggest looking at several things. First, I would try the factory recommended COL's, which are 3.290" for the 168, and 3.185" (crimp cannelure at the mouth) with the 150. Some bullets like some jump distances better than others, and the factory recommendation gives a reasonably good place to start.. Second, I would look at how much runout your loaded cartridges have. Some guns don't care a lot, but some, particularly those with loose throats, can be influenced a lot by this. One advantage new brass has over resized brass is the necks are usually perfectly aligned as formed. Standard full length resizing dies tend to pull necks off-axis with the expander. There are several ways around that using different dies, like bushing dies without the expander, or Lee Collet Dies in combination with Redding Body Dies, and so on. Do a search on the subject, as it has been covered fairly extensively in other threads. Third, I would experiment with the charge weight. You can try Dan Newberry's OCW method or the old Audette Ladder, if you have at least a couple hundred yards, preferably three hundred. I have found my rifle liked 47.5 grains of IMR 4895 and 48 grains of 4064 best for the 168. YMMV. The nearest equivalent to the old National Match load is about 47 grains of modern 4895 under the 175 grain Sierra MatchKing bullet. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 8, 2015, 05:45 PM	#3
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Regular service Garands have shot that well with pre 1940's ammo made for M1917 and M1919 Browning machine guns and M1903's with 172-gr. FMJBT bullets. That stuff was made before Garands were. Some of it shot as accurate as postwar M72 .30-06 match ammo in them.

February 8, 2015, 06:12 PM	#4
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2009 Posts: 352	If you can put all 8 rds in a 2 inch group at 100 yds with surplus HXP you are doing better than anyone else.