starting load for M1 GARAND using IMR-4895

[brassbullets12]

I am going to load 150 gr and 163 gr for my M1 garand , ( 30/06) anybody have a starting load using IMR-4895 for both bullets that is safe for oper. rod. thanks for all info

[rmcc]

49 grs IMR 4895 for 150 gr bullet duplicates M2 load.

[doctorggg]

I would start around 32 grains and work up to fully operational for your rifle. Some people on this forum suggest starting at 30 grains. My sweet spot was 34.0 grains. I presume you are talking about boolits and not J words. Most military rounds did not contain the 50 grains specified for M2 loads. Somewhere around 46-47 grains IIRC.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I run 46 gr of IMR4895 in my Garand against 150 gr bullets. M2 loads are duplicated from 45 to 49 gr of IMR 4895. It kind of depends on which batch of M2 you are trying to duplicate and which bullets you actually are trying to shoot.

You don't want to go too far past 2800 fps with 150's and about 2650 with 168 gr bullets.

Garands are not as finicky as some would have you believe, but they also don't want to be hotrodded They perform perfectly for all intents and purposes in the speed range above. You can even go slower if you want you just have to figure out your sights.

Now,,, if you are talking about Cast Boolits then everything gets rolled back significantly. Do consult the manuals like Lyman 49 for acceptable charges for Cast.

Garands can be made to cycle the action with cast just as easily as with jacketed bullets.

Randy

[brassbullets12]

thanks for replies, i am using jacket bullets

[StratsMan]

Both of my Garands will cycle with 42 grains of 4895 or Varget and M2 ball, but lockback is not 100%... So I use 44 grains and they are 100%... have gone up to 46, but don't see the need so I keep them toned down...

That load is also low enough that I'm comfortable using 163 grain bullets, too.... (I assume you mean M2AP) My concern with those bullets is not weight, but bearing surface... They are so long for 163 grain bullet (not a lead core) that I refer to 180 grain loads for those recipes. Once I found that I could load in the low 40's with 4895 for both bullets, and keep the action working normally, I decided to stick with that load... Call me lazy; I use the same recipe for both....

Did some digging and found this link from another site... Very helpful explanations, and gives many load "suggestions" with port pressures that work in the M1...

http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?12608-cast-bullets-in-a-M1-Garand

Look for the post by "Parashooter"... Good Stuff....

[farmallcrew]

46gr of IMR4895 pushing a 150grFMJ is about the "standard" load. some guys will go to 47.5. But as with any reloading, start low and work up. Ive seen on other sites guys give numbers like 49 and 53 gr for loads for M1, i really don't want to be standing there beside them when they are fireing.

[1500FPS]

A nice device to have is the Schuster DCM Adjustable Gas Plug . This can give you a little added insurance of not putting load through your Garand that could bend the op rod. The Garand is not really stuck shooting the original military load, you can shoot other bullets weights if they are loaded correctly according to powder and pressure. As mentioned here that adjustable gas plug is nice to have.

[mace2364]

I loaded 47grs of Varget, using winchester 147gr FMJs in my M1. I didn't notice any difference in POI in comparison with surplus ammo.

[Smokepole50]

You want to target 2750 fps with your 150gr bullet using IMR4895. I have loaded 165gr Sierra BTHP with very good success in the Garand using 4895 but I can't remember the load off the top of my head.