I'm going to soon start reloading for my M1 Garand. I'm wondering what sort of velocity I should shoot for. I plan on reloading 150 grain bullets and I figure a Garand would give close to the velocity a reloading manual gives, maybe just a little bit less. I'm mainly want the gun to function well without any undue wear and I am not looking for getting the most velocity possible.
Get a Hornady 7th edition manual. It lists loads specifically tuned for the M1 rifle. With H335, N-135, and IMR 4064 (not listed in that manual but still M1 safe) it's easy to duplicate M2 loads.
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I've got a Hornaday manual but its several years old, maybe as many as 12 years old. I know pressure is the ultimate limit of any reload. The way I'm looking at it, I will have a set bullet weight, and I have to start somewhere for a load, and I thought I would try for a certain velocity that would allow the rifle to function. I guess I'm looking for a velocity as the starting point for a reload that will make the rifle function without undo wear.
Choose one of the approved powders..IMR 4895, IMR 4064, H4895 etc; and stay close to 2700 fps. That should work fine.....I use 47 grains of IMR 4895 and it functions my Garands.
The U.S. Govt specs for M2 Ball ammo was 50.0 Grains of IMR4895...This was for a 147 to 150 grain FMJ Ball projectile at 2740 fps @ 78 ft from the muzzle...
Rich
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I know pressure is the ultimate limit of any reload.
True enough, but the Garand has another presssure limit, and that one is associated with the operating rod. (It's actually a pressure/time limit, because you have to limit the amount of energy you kick the rod with or you'll bend it, or batter the receiver into cracking, or both...)
The Garand action was tested to the point of cracking one of the bolt lugs at some ridiculous pressure (70,000 psi?) and then was used to fire several thousand rounds past that point. It isn't the action you have to worry about.
As others have mentioned, look up Garand-specific load data. This will show powders which have the correct burn rate to protect the op-rod. Velocities which duplicate military ammo are typically around 2700 fps, I believe.
You can work with slower powders (and typical .30-06 commercial ammo, not "light magnum" stuff) by swapping the gas cylinder lock screw for an adjustable one. This doesn't perform magic, but it does allow for slower powders by venting excess pressure. You have to start wide open and adjust smaller until the op-rod just cycles reliably. That's the adjustment for that powder/bullet combination. If you change loads, you have to adjust all over again.
The Garand is a terrific rifle, but the op-rod is its Achille's heel. Long and slender, it is easily bent...
...The Garand is a terrific rifle, but the op-rod is its Achille's heel. Long and slender, it is easily bent...
The Garand was a pioneering rifle. It broke new ground in previously uncharted territory. At that time, it was believed that a gas port must be as close to the muzzle as possible, resulting in that long op rod.
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My rifle and pistol are only tools. I am the weapon.
bringin this one back from the dead. no sense starting a new thread.
just got my hornady manual today and im a tad confused. the military m2 ball load of IMR4895 with a 150gr on top is what id like to go for BUT Mooseman says thats 50 grains of powder. the hornady manual lists the top load for a 150 gr bullet at 47.9 gr of n-135. thats 2gr off the m2 listing. worse yet they dont even LIST IMR as an option for 150 gr bullets. it doest show till you get into 168gr bullets. what gives?
the 47.9 gr is the HEAVIEST charge listed for any bullet/powder combo. did hornady just decide to skip the m2 loading? would loading to 50 gr of 4895 be bad juju? im just starting out and have 0 interest of learning the hard way about overcharging a round
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bringin this one back from the dead. no sense starting a new thread.
just got my hornady manual today and im a tad confused. the military m2 ball load of IMR4895 with a 150gr on top is what id like to go for BUT Mooseman says thats 50 grains of powder. the hornady manual lists the top load for a 150 gr bullet at 47.9 gr of n-135. thats 2gr off the m2 listing. worse yet they dont even LIST IMR as an option for 150 gr bullets. it doest show till you get into 168gr bullets. what gives?
the 47.9 gr is the HEAVIEST charge listed for any bullet/powder combo. did hornady just decide to skip the m2 loading? would loading to 50 gr of 4895 be bad juju? im just starting out and have 0 interest of learning the hard way about overcharging a round
Powders and weights are NOT Interchangeable...
Hornady Volume II lists all the IMR powders , BUT for SP 150 Gr. Bullets in 30/06...not FMJ which can vary slightly.
That is why I gave you the EXACT U.S. Military specification for a duplicate load.
Rich
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[I]You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!:( [/I]
I've had a couple of editions of the Hornady Manual. I've noticed a fair bit of difference in the loads they've recommended in different editions. I suspect because as time goes on and components change, so do the loads they consider to be the best all around, and they only recommend what they think works the best with their bullets/brass. It is excellent data, but there is other good data out there. It can be a bit tricky to find good M1 specific data. If you stick with the recommended powders and work up your loads carefully, you can make some really good safe ammo. My favorites are Varget, AA2520, & H4895. I don't try to be adventurous with my M1 loads.
HTH
Dave
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I know that IMR 4895 is the optimum powder
for the Garand, but I have several pounds
of IMR4350 and as wondering if that would
be ok? I can't believe I just used optimum.
lol.
__________________ "Congratulations, how does it feel to be an All American"? " I gotta pee"!
IMR 4350 is too slow to be safe with an "as issued" Garand, However, the adjustable gas plug costs just a little more than a pound of powder, so if you have several pounds the plug may be worth it.
__________________
My rifle and pistol are only tools. I am the weapon.
IMR 4350 is too slow to be safe with an "as issued" Garand, However, the adjustable gas plug costs just a little more than a pound of powder, so if you have several pounds the plug may be worth it.
Thanks I may buy a adjustable gas plug. Then again I'll
probably just get some IMR4895. I won't be using much
of it. I'll probably just use it in the Garand and Johnson.
__________________ "Congratulations, how does it feel to be an All American"? " I gotta pee"!
