Loading for an M1 garand

[Mbaker78]

I have some 30-06 that I was thinking of loading up for an M1 garand (for a family member). I know that they are functionally similar to an M1a/M14, which are somewhat powder sensitive, so are they powder sensitive as well?

I have some winchester 760 and load data for 150gr and 168gr bullets, is it safe to shoot this in a garand? And also, are federal primers safe for use in the same rifle (slam fires, etc.).

Thanks in advance for any input.

[WarEagleEd]

The Hornady manual has a separate section for M1 Garand load data. Supposedly factory loads can be too hot and when fired can result in a bent operating rod. This has never happened to me, but did happen to a friend mine. Hornady doesn't show WIN 760 in their Garand section, but do in the standard 30-06 section.

[Mbaker78]

I might have to break down and buy one of the hornady manuals...

[Hostile79]

I have been trading for 30-06 brass in preparation for M1 Garand I have coming from the CMP. The garand is very pressure sensitive and only certain powders are recommended for it IMR and H 4895, IMR 4064, Varget, etc. W760 burns to slowly for the garand and is not recommended unless the individual has an adjustable gas plug. Just what I have learned over the past few months. Do a quick internet search and you will find a bunch of information. The cMP has a forum dedicated to reloading as well.

Dan

[Hostile79]

I have been trading for 30-06 brass in preparation for M1 Garand I have coming from the CMP. The garand is very pressure sensitive and only certain powders are recommended for it IMR and H 4895, IMR 4064, Varget, etc. W760 burns to slowly for the garand and is not recommended unless the individual has an adjustable gas plug. Just what I have learned over the past few months. Do a quick internet search and you will find a bunch of information. The cMP has a forum dedicated to reloading as well.

Dan

[Mbaker78]

How about primers, is it safe to use federal primers in a grand/m1a? I've heard they're softer than CCI and winchester primers and I'm concerned about slam fires.

[Happyguy]

Dan is right. The pressure curve of the 760 will probably bend your OP rod. David

[Hostile79]

I understand your concern about slam fires. I too am concerned with them. I have heard the federal primers are too soft as well and thT winchester or cci should be used instead. I am using WLR primers and I have considered the CCI #34 military primers. I'm hoping my M1 garand shows up this week so I can try my reloads and let u know.

[gandog56]

I reload for my Garands, but I do have the Hornady manual and use the M1 section recipes. I also bought a lot of that Greek Surplus ammo so I have lots of cases to reload.

[Mbaker78]

I reload for my Garands, but I do have the Hornady manual and use the M1 section recipes. I also bought a lot of that Greek Surplus ammo so I have lots of cases to reload.

What primers do you use?

[gandog56]

Normally, Wolf large rifle, but Obozo caused the great primer die off. Last I got were some S&B large rifle primers.

[Mbaker78]

Ahh, if I ever come across some 4064 I'll try out federal primers on 20 or so and tell him to keep an eye out for slam fires. I load all of my personal 308 for a bolt action, so I don't have to worry about such things... Unless something is really wrong...

[WarEagleEd]

I can scan the M1 section of my Hornady manual and email it to you, if you want. I have the 9th edition, which is the latest, I believe.

[Mbaker78]

I can scan the M1 section of my Hornady manual and email it to you, if you want. I have the 9th edition, which is the latest, I believe.

Certainly, I'll PM you my email address. Thanks.

[gandog56]

I can scan the M1 section of my Hornady manual and email it to you, if you want. I have the 9th edition, which is the latest, I believe.


Yeah, mine's the 8th. I was thinking maybe my Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition had a separate M1 section, but it doesn't.

[Hostile79]

I have loaded several rounds with the hornady info. I learned today I should have my Garand by the end of the week so I should be able to provide some info on my reloads.

[gandog56]

Reminds me of when I finally got into a CMP affiliated program and got my M1 for $525 instead of the usual 1 grand in an auction place. Now I still need the carbine.

And an M14!

[Hostile79]

Gandog,

I think they are going to sell some carbines in the future. They just sold some IHC Garands recently and some more are coming in November then the carbines after that.

[gandog56]

Gandog,

I think they are going to sell some carbines in the future.


Doh, I would be sorely tempted. But then I would have to get all the .30 carbine reloading stuff, too.

Anyways my regular load for a Garand is 45 grains of H4895 and a 150 grain jacketed pill.

[1blue]

+1 for the 4895. I cast lead bullets and have used them with 2400 powder. With a light load of pistol powder it is easy on your op rod, no leading and you don't have to chase your brass. It does not cycle, but that is easy to do by hand. Great paper punching and a bargain to shoot. Also easy on your rifle brass. Really reduces the stress on your brass and little to no resizing.

[gandog56]

For a cast 150 grain load I use 13 grains of Red Dot. It won't cycle my M1's but is very pleasant to shoot with low recoil. I also use 150 grain cast gas checked pills and 13 grains of Red Dot for practice .308 Win, 7.62X54R, .303 Brit. 7.5 Swiss, 7.7 Jap.............just about anything in 30cal/7.62mm.

[Hostile79]

I finally got my M1 Garand from the CMP. A six digit serial Springfield Armory born in July 1942. Quite a mixture of parts mostly WWII but not parts correct. Barrel is from 1949 and gauge 1 on the muzzle and 4 on the throat. I have shot mil surp ammo and reloads. The accuracy is absolutely amazing. The reloads I shot used IMR and H 4895 and shot 150 and 168 grain bullets.95

[Hostile79]

And the Garand96

[Mbaker78]

She is a beauty.

I ordered some 168 and 175g matchking seconds from grafs.com so I'll load some test loads up once they get here. I've shot them in my bolt action and the only difference I can see is that they're not as shiny as factory matchkings, they measure the same and everything... Plus they're only $23/100 right now as opposed to $32/100.

[gandog56]

The last seconds I bought were for .270. I could not find a single thing wrong with them. Bullets all were right size, right weith, no blemishes on the jacket. Then I found it. They were cannelured, and were not supposed to be. I can accept that, especially when they were about 1/2 the cost of the right stuff.

[Mbaker78]

Yeah, I ordered 300 each 168 and 175 grain. They should be here tomorrow... If nothing else, I can always load them in the 300aac, it seems to eat anything from 100-220gr without the slightest hiccup...

[gandog56]

Yeah, I made some reloads with 150 grain gas checked cast bullets and 13 grains of Red Dot. Very soft recoil, but they wont cycle the M1's action.

[Mbaker78]

I loaded up a test set of 168 and 175 each... 4 shot groups (so I can get 2 groups per clip), 4 groups each bullet. Hopefully I can drag my dad out to the range next week to try them out and see how they do.