Garand reloading questions

[osteodoc08]

Inherited a Garand from my father. I've shot it a few times with him and I'm familiar with operation. Loading for it is a different animal. My basic understanding is that te rifle has to use ammo within certain parameters to function properly and not harm the action/OP rod. Sooooo, I have 4# of IMR 4895 and 150gr FMJBT pull downs to put ammo together for plinking and fun. I've got other guns for target work so this is more a fun/range gun for me. Can someone point me in the right direction so far as a starting and max load and things to look out for, please? Just looking for reliable plinking ammo with accuracy important but secondary to functioning and action safety/reliability/longevity.

[Outpost75]

With 147-152 grain FMJs, 50 grains of 4895, RL15, 4064 or Varget all work in USGI Ball M2 brass with Winchester primers.

[Got-R-Did]

If you have #7, 8 or 9 Hornady Handloading Manual, there is a Garand specific section to guide you.
That said, 47 grs of IMR-4895 is great for plinking, conserves a bit of propellant, and will not unduly stress your rifle. I have been collecting/shooting these beauties for almost 14 yrs.
Got-R-Did.

[VintageRifle]

I would start with 46-47 grains of IMR4895 and work up to 48 grains if needed. No need to go max on powder charges, just beats the old war horse more than needed.

[NuJudge]

Go to this site and click on the hyperlink "Reloading Stuph", and go down to the bottom:
http://www.njhighpower.com

Sierra on reloading for semi autos:
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm

You'll find with 4895 in a .30-'06 Garand that is clean, lubed, and has been shot some, you can go well below the listed minimum loads and it will still function.

Try not to take it out of the stock or disassemble the gas system more than you absolutely have to, because it hurts accuracy.

Make sure your cases are sized enough to feed freely in your chamber, and make sure your primers are slightly below flush with the case head.

[zomby woof]

Master Po has the answer

http://masterpostemple.bravepages.com/M1load.htm

[leebuilder]

Plus 1 on all the above. Small base 30'06 FL sizing dies are a good place to start. 4895 is the benchmark for Garand loading. Lighter bullits are best. Ken Waters has some Garand loads for differing J bullit wieghts.
I am about to try some cast in mine, from loads shared by other members here. The boolits are in clips in my ammo can just have wait for the snow to melt away.
be safe

[osteodoc08]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. Looking forward to getting her up and running again. Hasn't been shot in 5-6 years.

[Mauser48]

I use 46 grains of IMR 4064 with 150 grain hornady fmj bullets. I seat them to 3.18.

[Hardcast416taylor]

If you have #7, 8 or 9 Hornady Handloading Manual, there is a Garand specific section to guide you.
That said, 47 grs of IMR-4895 is great for plinking, conserves a bit of propellant, and will not unduly stress your rifle. I have been collecting/shooting these beauties for almost 14 yrs.
Got-R-Did.

I was going to make this same suggestion about using the Hornady manuals for load data. There are 2 other suggestions I can offer to make shooting the M-1 a little more fun. Firstly look into buying an adjustable gas cylinder plug for your rifle. Secondly is to start with loads at the beginners level in the manual and adjust the gas plug for those loads to just function the rifle and drop the fired case much closer to you than 16 ft. away as a standard load and G.I. gas plug will do.Robert

[WarEagleEd]

I have the M1 load data section of the current Hornady manual in PDF format. PM me if you want it.