Just got a M1 Garand and might start reloading for it some. Just looking for some places to start regarding powder and bullet choices. I have a ton of Varget and might order some 168 amax or bthp, but unsure if Varget is suitable for this or if there is one powder most used? Just looking for some guidance on getting started.
- Thread starter alan98
- Start date
Most reloaders use IMR4895 in their Garand. You can use Varget though. 46.5 to 47gr is a good load in commercial cases. Work up your loads, and I'd recommend small base dies when resizing.
Thanks! I didn't get dies yet, so I'll look for some small base dies when ordering
I'm using 155 Nosler CC and 46.7 of Varget. 47gr was a hair warm with primers on the verge of getting flat so I backed off a little. 46gr of H4895 with the same bullet is about right. I don't want to take a chance of bending the operating rod so I'd rather do medium loads.
| M1 GARAND 30-06 SERVICE RIFLE LOADS | |||||||||
| Bullet | Ideal V | H4895 | Varget | 4064 | 748 | 4350 | 3031 | 2520 | IMR4895 |
| *Use LC brass for these loads. Commercial brass volumes are different. COAL=3.30* | |||||||||
| 125 | ? | 48.0 | 44.5 | 48 | ? | ? | 48 | ? | 48.0 |
| 147 | 2740 | 48.5 | ? | 49 | 49.0 | ? | ? | ? | 48.5 |
| 150 SMK | 2740 | 49.0 | ? | 49 | 49.0 | ? | 48.1 | ? | 48.5 |
| 155 SMK | 2740 | 49.0 | 48.0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 47.0 |
| 168 SMK | 2650 | 46.0 | 42.5 | 47.5 | 47 | ? | ? | 46.5 | 46.0 |
| 168 H | 2650 | 46.0 | 42.5 | 47.5 | ? | ? | ? | 46.5 | 46.0 |
| *bullets over 168 grains, use with caution - op rod damage may result* | |||||||||
| 173 M118 | 2620 | 46.0 | 42.5 | 47.5 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 46.0 |
| 180 SMK | 2600 | 47.5 | ? | 47.0 | ? | 53.0 | ? | ? | 46.0 |
Regular full length dies will be fine for Garands and most semi auto's. I have been using F/L dies for Garands, M1A ,Ar's for 30+years. The only rifle i remember that required using small base dies was the Remington 742.
If I don't use SB dies in mine, it'll stick cases like crazy and rip the rim off the case.
I started off with virgin brass and only fire it in that Garand with no problems. Maybe that's the difference.
Last edited:
Not sure as I also have dedicated brass to that rifle, mostly military stuff. Ever since I started using SB dies the issue went away.
Just goes to show every gun and die combo varies. The day might come where I will have to buy a small base die. Actually I could use one for my S&W 929 which won't work with brass fired in my other 9mm's. I had to resort to virgin brass for that too. Good thing it uses full moon clips which makes keeping the brass separated a easy task.
What is the best brass to use for the Garand? Lake City or will commercial brass be ok as well? Time to get some things ordered
Personally, I would use LC. The case walls are normally thicker than most commercial and you will bounce the cases off the oprod and you'll be stripping them from spring steel enbloc clips, so durability is better for LC.
A very important thing to know about reloading for a Garand is that you do NOT want to shoot loads that are using powders slower than 4064. The oprod has very specific bends and excessive port pressures will, over time, enhance those bends in a negative fashion. 168s will shoot great from a Garand, especially one that has had some accurizing.
I use LC brass and have had the best luck with 4895. I tried other powders but always came back to that. YMMV. Regards, FM
I also tend to develop a load with anything I have a lot of on hand and I have a lot of 4895.
I also tend to develop a load with anything I have a lot of on hand and I have a lot of 4895.
I use 47 gr of IMR4895 and 150 gr Nosler CC Garand and it shoots fine. So far, I've just loaded HXP brass with no problem. You can find it regularly on CMP forum for about 16-18 cents a piece.
I have some of the 7.62x51mm NATO MK319 MOD 0 SOST I want to work up for a lighter, low recoil load. I caught them cheap at Midway a couple years back.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...grain-open-tip-match-box-of-250-bulk-packaged
I have some of the 7.62x51mm NATO MK319 MOD 0 SOST I want to work up for a lighter, low recoil load. I caught them cheap at Midway a couple years back.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...grain-open-tip-match-box-of-250-bulk-packaged
Attachments
Don’t shoot full power commercial .30-06 ammo in your M1 unless you install a Schuster adjustable gas plug. Port pressures are too high and it's likely to bend the op rod over time. If you’re going to shoot commercial ammo be sure it’s meant for the Garand.
