M1 Garand 30-06 Load Data

chasep255 · January 29, 2011, 12:36 PM

I know that I can't shoot modern ammo in my M1. Being this way does anyone have any load data for my rifle?

mehavey · January 29, 2011, 02:24 PM

If Master Po doesn't list it, you probably don't need it.

http://masterpostemple.bravepages.com/M1load.htm

dmazur · January 29, 2011, 08:36 PM

Here's a useful link on the M1 Garand that covers reloading for it in some detail -

http://carnival.saysuncle.com/002449.html

Without actually using the phrase "pressure curve", the combination of recommendations for the correct burn rate of powder, and using a chronograph to measure MV pretty much guarantees that the port pressure will not be too high.

Garand-specific loads should follow these recommendations, but not all .30-06 load data is appropriate for Garands.

Also, note that the article discusses "adjustable gas nuts", which permit use of most commercial .30-06 ammunition. These also permit a wider selection of components when reloading for the Garand.

Something the article may not emphasize is that the adjustable gas nut is not automatically adjusting. That is, you have to adjust it for a specific load, and then readjust it (starting from wide open, nonfunctioning) every time you change loads.

The Garand is a lot of fun to shoot, and it is also a wonderful piece of history, but it isn't very forgiving when it comes to ammunition.

BombthePeasants · January 29, 2011, 09:25 PM

I follow the Hornady 7th Ed. manual, for the 168gr. A-MAX bullet.

Powder: IMR 4064 - 47.2grs.
C.O.L.: 3.28"

They work really well for me.

rbf420 · January 29, 2011, 10:44 PM

i use mil surplus .308 rounds and use a large magnum rifle primer and use 42 grains imr 4895.. its reduced and u may need to recalibrate ur sights to it.. but its a very accruate round for steel plate shooting. i use this im my Vintage Military Semi-Auto Rifle matches... hope it helps

RickB · January 30, 2011, 01:05 AM

4895 is the Garand powder, so use it for handloading.

Saint Dennis · January 30, 2011, 06:44 PM

My Hornady manual has a special section for Grarands. Stay in the 165 gr or so bullet weight and use an appropriate powder and it's easy as pie. I've used many different powders mostly because I always seem to be out of "Garand" powders. I love to hear that ping!!!

chris in va · January 31, 2011, 12:27 AM

I just 'plink' with my Garand and use 47gr of 4895 with a 150gr surplus pulled bullet. Thinking about using some 155gr cast lead/GC boolits here soon.

AlaskaMike · January 31, 2011, 12:47 PM

In addition to the other loads already given, I'll add that Mike Venturino wrote in a Handloader article (sometime last year I think) that his favorite Garand load used 48.0 grains of Varget and a 150 grain bullet.

I haven't tried Varget yet--my load has been 47 grains of IMR 4895 and pulled 150 grain surplus FMJs.

AlaskaMike · January 31, 2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Thinking about using some 155gr cast lead/GC boolits here soon.

Cast bullets in the Garand is very different from shooting traditional jacketed loads. The conventional rules for bullet weight and powder selection go out the window, mainly because you want to keep velocities down to around 1600 - 2000 fps. You want a heavier bullet, around 180 - 210 grains, and if you want the load to cycle the action then slower powders are called for, like 4350 or 4831. Again, this is ONLY for cast bullets, not jacketed. These powders are guaranteed to bend the op rod if used in full power jacketed bullet loads.

If you don't mind operating the Garand as a straight-pull bolt action, then faster powders work well. Loads I've used with 180 grain cast bullets are:

20 grains of 2400
22 grains of IMR 4227

Sometimes you hear warnings against cast bullets in the Garand that you'll experience leading in the gas port and cylinder, but I haven't seen this at all. I've shot thousands of cast bullet loads through mine and have only ever seen the odd flake present. I've long since quit pulling off the gas cylinder to check for leading.

For specific bullet designs, I've only actually tried two myself. Lyman 311332 and RCBS 30-180-FN. 311332 has always done very well in my rifle, but the RCBS bullet just doesn't work as well for me for some reason. I've seen several recommendations for the Lyman 200 and 210 grain designs (and I can't recall those mould numbers off the top of my head).

If you want to get into cast bullet shooting in the Garand, I would highly recommend going to the Castboolits site http://castboolits.gunloads.com and doing some searches for posts from user BruceB. I believe one of his threads is a sticky in one of the forums and is an absolute gold mine of data for shooting cast in the Garand and M14/M1A.

chris in va · January 31, 2011, 02:11 PM

Yup, I'm on the site too.

No mention of using the 155gr boolit though. May not work as it seems most use a 200gr.

January 29, 2011, 12:36 PM	#1
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	M1 Garand 30-06 Load Data I know that I can't shoot modern ammo in my M1. Being this way does anyone have any load data for my rifle?

January 29, 2011, 08:36 PM	#3
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	Here's a useful link on the M1 Garand that covers reloading for it in some detail - http://carnival.saysuncle.com/002449.html Without actually using the phrase "pressure curve", the combination of recommendations for the correct burn rate of powder, and using a chronograph to measure MV pretty much guarantees that the port pressure will not be too high. Garand-specific loads should follow these recommendations, but not all .30-06 load data is appropriate for Garands. Also, note that the article discusses "adjustable gas nuts", which permit use of most commercial .30-06 ammunition. These also permit a wider selection of components when reloading for the Garand. Something the article may not emphasize is that the adjustable gas nut is not automatically adjusting. That is, you have to adjust it for a specific load, and then readjust it (starting from wide open, nonfunctioning) every time you change loads. The Garand is a lot of fun to shoot, and it is also a wonderful piece of history, but it isn't very forgiving when it comes to ammunition. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

January 29, 2011, 10:44 PM	#5
rbf420 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2009 Posts: 166	i use mil surplus .308 rounds and use a large magnum rifle primer and use 42 grains imr 4895.. its reduced and u may need to recalibrate ur sights to it.. but its a very accruate round for steel plate shooting. i use this im my Vintage Military Semi-Auto Rifle matches... hope it helps __________________ My Calibers- 9mm, .38spl, .357 mag, .45 acp, 30/06, 303 brit, 7.7 jap, 7.5 french.

January 31, 2011, 02:11 PM	#11
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Yup, I'm on the site too. No mention of using the 155gr boolit though. May not work as it seems most use a 200gr. Last edited by chris in va; January 31, 2011 at 02:27 PM.

January 29, 2011, 02:24 PM	#2
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,885	If Master Po doesn't list it, you probably don't need it. http://masterpostemple.bravepages.com/M1load.htm

January 29, 2011, 09:25 PM	#4
BombthePeasants Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 351	I follow the Hornady 7th Ed. manual, for the 168gr. A-MAX bullet. Powder: IMR 4064 - 47.2grs. C.O.L.: 3.28" They work really well for me.

January 30, 2011, 01:05 AM	#6
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	4895 is the Garand powder, so use it for handloading.

January 30, 2011, 06:44 PM	#7
Saint Dennis Member Join Date: March 31, 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 97	My Hornady manual has a special section for Grarands. Stay in the 165 gr or so bullet weight and use an appropriate powder and it's easy as pie. I've used many different powders mostly because I always seem to be out of "Garand" powders. I love to hear that ping!!!

January 31, 2011, 12:27 AM	#8
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I just 'plink' with my Garand and use 47gr of 4895 with a 150gr surplus pulled bullet. Thinking about using some 155gr cast lead/GC boolits here soon.

January 31, 2011, 12:47 PM	#9
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	In addition to the other loads already given, I'll add that Mike Venturino wrote in a Handloader article (sometime last year I think) that his favorite Garand load used 48.0 grains of Varget and a 150 grain bullet. I haven't tried Varget yet--my load has been 47 grains of IMR 4895 and pulled 150 grain surplus FMJs.