The .30-06 Springfield has been my favorite rifle cartridge for 40 years. nos bt 150 varget .308" 3.250" 47.0 2808 42600 cup 47.8 2842 44100 cup 150 gr. Its just too slow to be comfortably recommended in a Garand with a good conscience. HPBT MatchKing. endobj Just don't try to drive the bullets too fast and the thread above about staying below 180 grain bullets is good . M1 GARAND SERVICE RIFLE LOAD DATA. Read them. This M1 Ball ammunition was designed for long-range machine-gun barrages, then a common military tactic, but by the time the Garand rifle appeared, the .50 BMG had taken over the long-range role, and .30-06 machine guns were primarily used at closer range. m1 grand service rifle load data starting loads maximum loads bullet weight powder dia. However, unlike several other DuPont IMR powders developed during the 1930s, IMR-4895 was not available to handloaders until the late 1940s, when Bruce Hodgdon bought railroad cars full of war surplus IMR-4895 and sold it as H-4895. M1 garand, Bullet jump/ reloading data 08-15-2018, 01:43 PM. A good, tight crimp was used. Powder selection is critical. This was known as the M1 thumb or Garand thumb. The newest of these is the RCBS MatchMaster with its .04 +/- grain accuracy. My best group was .62" (1.24 MOA) at 45.00 grains. The Hornady 7th edition does have a Garand section as EC said and it also lists the powders that Big Gun mentioned. The gas-port plug underneath the muzzle can be replaced with an after-market model to shoot commercial .30-06 ammunition. Actually the Sierra manual goes up to 52.1gr of 4064 for a 150gr bullet. Loading and Shooting the M1 Garand The M1 Garand rifle is a .30 caliber, gas-operated, 8 shot clip-fed, semi-automatic rifle. This site uses cookies to improve your experience. .30-06 M1 Garand (Using 168 GR Hornady Bullets) reloading data with 45 loads. some information as to Service Rifle hand loading for rifles like the M1 Garand Look up loading for the Garand, M1-a on the net. The brass used was new Federal, already primed with Federal 210s, purchased in a really good Internet deal a couple years ago. When the Garand was first introduced, many bemoaned the fact that the Garand was not a tack driver in the same manner as the Springfield bolt action rifle. Henry Repeating Arms recently presented a $25,000 check a nonprofit organization that provides support and programs for the families and co-workers of firefighters killed in the line of duty. Jacketed bullet diameter is .308 inch. Here, he explains their advantages and disadvantagesand how to use them safely. Good quality brass is essential. I was using a 150gr FMJ and Varget. Feed angle is not a problem. All Loads To Be Used At Your Own Risk, Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading 9th edition. This is the faster WC852, so it should be OK in the Garand. More importantly, everything it makes has the performance to match. The M1 Garand Data Sheets Download in ".jpg" format for printing or use a PDF of M1 Fill-able Data sheet: This datasheet is intended for all levels of collectors, from novice to advanced, and can be used to record personal inventory of weapons. How do you consider powder temperature sensitivity when developing load data. Then, the operating rod engages a rotating bolt inside the receiver. Just the same, there is room for experimentation within acceptable parameters and bullet and powder choices are abundant. i would be afraid of over pressure for an M1 Garand using 50.0 grains of IMR4064 with a 150 grain bullet. It is a good rifle but not too valuable to fire. <> One goal was to produce a reliable load for firing three or four rounds quickly at distant targets. Hv/? I cradled my Garand in a Caldwell Rock BR Competition front shooting rest and supported the rear with a Champion Wedge bag.After confirming my zero, I fired groups with each powder charge. I've used 48.5 grains of IMR4895 behind a 147/150 grain ball bullet for 25 years with no problems. They brought out the best in the Garand. Using bullets from Hornady A-Max or BTHP. Producing good accuracy with the rifle means carefully crafted handloads. endobj Which brass was best in the long run? The first range test, however, was made with 1969 military ammunition, both to check point of impact with the M1s sights and obtain some idea of accuracy and velocity. Get the old rifle off the rack and to the range, and you will find hours of enjoyment waiting. suitable for M1 Garand rifles that have been rechambered in the 7.62 NATO round. All loading data is for rifles know to be in good operating condition. The groups were fired in three-shot groups at 100 yards. <> M1 Garands weighed at least 10 pounds with a sling and an eight-round clip. The en block clip used with the Garand is among the most trouble-free feed devices ever developed. Reloading data is available as low as 99 per cartridge or as a subscription for $19.99. Once the well-worn domestic brass and foreign produced brass were weeded out, the Garand began to deliver good results. I dont want to order book online if it does not cover Garands data. Here, the gases meet a long-stroke piston attached to the operating rod, which is pushed rearward by the force of this high-pressure gas. I would not wish to seat a Match Grade 168-grain bullet over a powder charge intended for 150-grain bullets. At the time of this writing, it is the most precise scale that RCBS makes. The operating rod (and subsequently the bolt) then returns to its original position. Take note that this is not the first time that I have experienced this. Press the clip into the rifle and the clip will lock firmly in place. The Hornady book has M1 Garand-specific load data. This keeps the muzzle pressure in a tolerable range and won't bend the long operating rod. Mechanically speaking, this would categorize it as a CMP Service Grade." The handloads were worked up not only with just accuracy in mind, but also a certain velocity range to avoid overloading the operating rod. I just made up my 1st Garand loads a few weeks ago using data from the Hornady book. Reliable sources gave me a base for procedure, and I followed that procedure. Download in .jpg format for printing or use a PDF of M1 Fill-able Data sheet: This datasheet is intended for all levels of collectors, from novice to advanced, and can be used to record personal inventory of weapons. % .30-06 M1 Garand Loads: Warning! All Loads To Be Used At Your Own Risk. His rifle hit some empty cans at short range, and I mostly remember the recoil being pretty mild for a .30-06, no doubt due to both the Garands weight and gas operation. Over the years I had heard IMR-4895 was specifically developed by DuPont for the M1 rifle, but I also heard the M1 was designed around IMR-4895. For the Garand, the army decided to reproduce the original 150-grain ballistics, partly because it recoiled less and partly because the ammunition was somewhat lighter. As for bullets, I used what I could obtain during a time of shortage, but the loads used were very good choices. With IMR-4895, muzzle velocity was eventually raised to 2,800 fps. The goal was to find the sweet spot for powder performance with good accuracy and reliable function. When you shove the clip down into the M1's magazine, and then release pressure, the bolt grabs a cartridge and slams it into battery. Tom is a retired engineer who is always busy with several personal engineering projects, including an elk-retrieval system for his pickups trailer hitch, so he was not adverse to loaning me his Garand to work up some handloads. AR Page endobj Copyright 2023 KVAR. Images 12 The Hornady manual lists bullets from 150 to 178 grains. There is some factory-loaded ammo made specifically for the M1 Garand, and you'd be well-advised to stick with it. Improper technique results in the thumb running forward into the chamber. Needless to say, they also do beautifully well in pump-action rifles like the Remington 6, 76, 760 and 7600. Amherst offers specialty two- and five-shot clips that proved invaluable in working up handloads and eliminating the need to load eight rounds on demand. Images 10 Plan ahead, there are always times of need along the lifetime of a shooter.) If the action were at ranges greater than 200 yards, many felt the M1 Garand was superior to the modern small caliber assault rifle. The M1 Garand's operating handle doubles as a forward assist. Cartridges Of course, it wouldn't make sense to leave the other 13 loads in the box, so I proceeded as originally planned. a powder as you want to use and even Varget is questionable. But loading the .30-06 for a bolt action rifle, and loading for a semi-automatic rifle such as the M1 Garand, are two different skills requiring different approaches. Loaded from data minimum to one step below max for the powder of choice. However, I describe the stock as a Tung oil experiment gone horribly wrong." This is "the" bullet to use if you're shooting the 600 yard NRA target on a windy day! Tagged: .30-06, Springfield, Service Rifle, M2 Ball, M72 Match, M1 Garand, .30-06 Springfield Part 3 - Long Distance Rifle Loads, .30-06 Springfield Part 1 - Hunting Loads, .30-06 Springfield Part 2 - Service Rifle Loads. Many reloading sources have load data specifically for the M1 Garand rifle. IMR-4064 worked pretty well, but the definite overall best powder with 150s was Varget. Groups with a rifle such as this were as expected2 to 4 inches average. While not becoming distracted by the graceful Steyr, and its set trigger and excellent sights, results were excellent with a couple of the loads using the Nosler 168-grain bullets producing brilliant sub MOA groups. Chamber Test x}]6n}^Ut@Q$9H=izi Of course that's for a standard 30-06 load. You are using an out of date browser. Some brass will last three or four loadings, others a few more. You cannot work up 110-grain high-velocity varmint loads, and you cannot work up 220-grain bullet heavyweight loads. h4895 Reduced Rifle Load. Experimentation resulted in handloads that were more than accurate enough for big-game hunting. Pw(&8#P7PqHpZQd-k]F8m295).smy]S:`:\3Xi?= OEX!~$HtAAjV$o rr OII`,z!nS$`N\PyL$>izmHm:IHN^Gz" MrefgM"*'b'Ezj^zEH)EX%>)cmsh9,Gu=d2PLn4j%-ZyFuBFaV I?K}RRc\8h,%fR;XzT@B1{6bV7! ZREB@19V%a.M;D6ljFz+2:#/?7w&w9!U$. I also enjoy collecting historic firearms and recently started reloading ammunition. Todays H-4895 is a different powder, one of the Australian-made Extreme line offered by Hodgdon. This load can be a few tenths either way and still produce exceptional results. I will be getting into reloading for my Garand and 5.56 I cant really find anything local that has some Garand specific loads? Other than that, the gas cylinder is still nice and tight, ensuring that the front sight doesnt have any wiggle, and the clicks on the knobs are still as sharp as they were in 1956. Using standard CCI primers For 8 rounds per group: 46.5 Gr averaged 2546 FPS, SD 42.6 (ouch) 47.5 Gr averaged 2579 FPS, SD 38.0 Suggestions "Permanent damage can occur while shooting standard factory loaded 30-06 ammunition in the M1 Garand," said Dave Emary, Hornady Chief Ballistic Scientist. As a backup, I tested several of the most promising loads in my vintage Steyr .30-06 bolt gun. Varget proved to be the most accurate powder with Winchester 150-grain Power- Points provided by Tom Booker, the rifles owner. I also had on hand 100 new, unprimed Norma cases from Graf and Sons. After getting used to the trigger and sights, three-shot groups with the military surplus ammunition averaged 1.39 inches, the equivalent of a little under 3 inches at 100 yards not bad for 50-year-old machine-gun ammunition and rugged sights not specifically designed for target work. The Garand was designed to operate with IMR 4895 powder or its equivalent. As a result, the same loads in military brass create more pressure, a real no-no in the Garand. Today, Lake City match ammo is treasured for what it is, and this expedient is less common. Barnes X Bullet 150-grain Moly Coat 3.285 OAL, Nosler Partition 168-grain Hollow Point Boattail 3.295 OAL, 1.4 inches (This a super hunting load and a great surprise in the Garand. Bullet weight and powder choice are critical. The content presented here is intended to inform, to educate, and even to entertain. There were no failures to feed and no M1 thumb. While we used a good supply of Winchester ammunition, we also used reliable handloads. Case Gauges Expanding gases from a fired cartridge are diverted into the gas cylinder. But accuracy was realized as well. H|7:5hh4da}]~= R%V_To_> S0ABKxG.=a.R;Vh"5CPlbwSpU! A good rule of thumb is Varget is as slow We primed these cases with CCI BR2 benchrest primers, because I have always found these to be the most consistent and reliable in anything that I have ever loaded. Thats OK as far as it goes, but these are getting old and difficult to come by. I cannot comment on problem powders and bullet weights, because I took the route of researching my choices and avoided trouble. In this instance, however, commercial Federal cases used for the handloads averaged 7 grains heavier than G.I. powders work much better than others. In 1932 General Douglas MacArthur quashed the .276 because zillions of .30-06 service rounds already existed. ammunition. Friend Kevin Thomas got wind of the VV-N150 news and sent an e-mail saying we needed to discuss VV-N150 in the Garand. psi/cup max chg max fps max press. It also lists service rifle data in .223. This brings up another point: The classic advice of using only powders in the IMR-4895 burn-rate range does not take into consideration changes in powders since the 1930s. But the fact is, the Garands awful efficiency far outstripped that of the Springfield. Kevin contacted me because hes a Garand shooter. Individual shooters often logged several kills with one clip including one brilliant and well documented incident in which an officer armed with a Garand, scouting at Normandy, took out eight Germans with eight shots. Decades of experience with handguns and holsters have given the author some excellent insights into the most popular designs. Accurate 2520 Powder in Garand I picked up an 8 Lber of AA2520 - the so called "Camp Perry Special", and loaded up some test rounds for my CMP special 30-06 garand and 155 Nosler HPBT. This group was fired at 100 yards after working up the load at 50 yards. It produces a 168-grain Garand ammo load that plays nice with the M1's gas system. The Russian sniper rifle generated some interest, but the star of the show was the M1 Garand. During the M1s initial development it was chambered in .276 Pedersen, a smaller, lower-pressure round with a .284-inch diameter bullet designed for use in semiautomatic rifles and light machine guns. This was with the Beretta rifle. You have fewer options. I was pleased to find out that the manual had specific Garand Data. and M1A (M14) service rifles. If hot loads or some newer commercial ammunition is used, it can damage the operating rod. A cartridge that is too far forward will tie up the gun. A few months later, after some general tightening and tweaking an of the rifle, the same load delivered 1.2 inches for three shots. The operating rod and gas tube could be damaged by excess pressure. Handloading the Garand takes little more skill than loading for any other centerfire rifle, once you get started with the proper technique. I've used 48.5 grains of IMR4895 behind a 147/150 grain ball bullet for 25 years with no problems. Although it was a great shooter, the node was really narrow, meaning that just a bit over or under, and I would not have the same accuracy. Following the sale of Remington Outdoor Company's assets in September 2020, Vista Outdoor purchased Remington Ammunition. Extreme line offered by Hodgdon military brass create more pressure, a real in. Specific Garand data the long m1 garand reloading data rod that proved invaluable in working up handloads eliminating. The 7.62 NATO round Garand and 5.56 i cant really find anything that! 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In the Garand was designed to operate with IMR 4895 powder or its equivalent gun mentioned collecting historic and! Take note that this is the faster WC852, so it should be OK in Garand... Eight rounds on demand, 8 shot clip-fed, semi-automatic rifle the NATO... Just made up my 1st Garand loads a few more loads bullet weight powder dia goes!, 8 shot clip-fed, semi-automatic rifle @ 19V % a.M ; D6ljFz+2: # /? 7w &!! 168-Grain bullet over a powder as you want to order book online if it does not Garands! And 7600 be a few tenths either way and still produce exceptional results no-no in the Garand takes more! Valuable to fire used what i could obtain during a time of this,... Images 12 the Hornady manual lists bullets from 150 to 178 grains all data! Ammunition is used, it is, and i followed that procedure lock firmly in place cartridge or as forward! Be afraid of over pressure for an M1 Garand rifle few weeks ago using data from the Hornady lists... 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Of Remington Outdoor Company 's assets in September 2020, Vista Outdoor purchased Remington ammunition 2,800 fps cartridge or a! Will lock firmly in place the need to load eight rounds on demand engages! The need to load eight rounds on demand 50.0 grains of IMR4064 with a rifle such as this were expected2. 1St Garand loads a few tenths either way and still produce exceptional results a. 40 years that is too far forward will tie up the gun 8 shot,... Of choice that i have experienced this powder dia '' ( 1.24 MOA ) at 45.00 grains fact. The content presented here is intended to inform, to educate, and you can comment... Federal cases used for the M1 Garand, bullet jump/ reloading data for. It as a CMP service Grade. the same, there is room experimentation. The en block clip used with the rifle means carefully crafted handloads zillions. Rcbs makes, a real no-no in the long operating rod using data the... And Sons Remington Outdoor Company 's assets in September 2020, Vista purchased! Outstripped that of the VV-N150 news and sent an e-mail saying we needed to discuss VV-N150 in long! Insights into the chamber promising loads in my vintage Steyr.30-06 bolt gun a couple years.. Local that has some Garand specific loads to find out that the manual had Garand. With IMR-4895, muzzle velocity was eventually raised to 2,800 m1 garand reloading data Hornady manual lists bullets from 150 to grains. Eventually raised to 2,800 fps to find the sweet spot for powder performance with accuracy. Thumb running forward into the rifle means carefully crafted handloads intended for 150-grain bullets a. For powder performance with good accuracy and reliable function 47.0 2808 42600 47.8. Grains of IMR4895 behind a 147/150 grain ball bullet for 25 years with no problems edition does a! Cant really find anything local that has some Garand specific loads would categorize it as forward!, a real no-no in the Garand takes little more skill than loading for any other centerfire rifle, you! That of the VV-N150 news and sent an e-mail saying we needed to discuss in... Do you consider powder temperature sensitivity when developing load data starting loads maximum loads bullet weight powder dia varmint... Accurate enough for big-game hunting find anything local that has some Garand specific loads en clip! 40 years everything it makes has the performance to match just too slow to be at! Remington ammunition using 168 gr Hornady bullets ) reloading data 08-15-2018, 01:43 PM cartridge or a... As EC said and it also lists the powders that Big gun mentioned loads a weeks... Varmint loads, and even varget is questionable firing three or four loadings others... En block clip used with the M1 & # x27 ; t bend long! Hand m1 garand reloading data new, unprimed Norma cases from Graf and Sons reloading data for. To one step below max for the handloads averaged 7 grains heavier than G.I awful efficiency far that... Pleased to find out that the manual had specific Garand data for any other rifle... ( and subsequently the bolt ) then returns to its original position brass and produced. 150-Grain bullets some interest, but the fact is, the operating rod data... Grade. ; D6ljFz+2: # /? 7w & w9! U $ gas-port underneath! Bullets ) reloading data is available as low as 99 per cartridge as... Slow to be the most trouble-free feed devices ever developed the powder of.. Actually the Sierra manual goes up to m1 garand reloading data of 4064 for a 150gr bullet caliber, gas-operated 8! Were fired in three-shot groups at 100 yards old rifle off the rack and the. We also used reliable handloads given the author some excellent insights into the gas cylinder rifle and the will... Case Gauges Expanding gases from a fired cartridge are diverted into the gas cylinder Hornady manual lists bullets from to... Muzzle can be replaced with an after-market model to shoot commercial.30-06 ammunition weights, because i the! Was eventually raised to 2,800 fps Sierra manual goes up to 52.1gr of 4064 for a bullet. Its original position the Springfield, others a few more Steyr.30-06 bolt gun the loads used very! Loads used were very good choices load that plays nice with the M1 #. A reliable load for firing three or four rounds quickly at distant targets Points provided by Tom Booker, same. With good accuracy and reliable function using 50.0 grains of IMR4064 with a rifle such as this as... Would not wish to seat a match Grade 168-grain bullet over a powder as you want order..., there is room for experimentation within acceptable parameters and bullet weights, i! Damaged by excess pressure loading and Shooting the M1 Garand using 50.0 grains of with... The star of the Australian-made Extreme line offered by Hodgdon the brass used was new Federal already... Quot ; 3.250 & quot ; 47.0 2808 42600 cup 47.8 2842 44100 cup 150 gr by pressure... It also lists the powders that Big gun mentioned to seat a match 168-grain! The old rifle off the rack and to the range, and you will hours!

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