Garand load with Unique?

[FAQMAT]

Hi there! First post on the forum. I am looking for a load for a Garand in 30/06 for casual plinking. I will be using a 30-180-RN gas check boolits, sized at .310 and i'd like to try using Unique powder for it as i have plenty of it. i Know that it may not be the best powder for the M1 and that 4895 or 6064 are the best options, but, do some of you guys have a load with Unique that can operate the action AND provide acceptable accuracy?

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition say:
30/06 180Gr Lead bullet
UNIQUE 13.3 1495fps/25,900psi 18.0 1803fps/43,500psi

So, am i right to say that a load around 15-16gr can achieve about 1600-1700fps/30,000-35,000psi? Will it cycle the action?

[Scharfschuetze]

Welcome aboard FAQMAT!

Unique is probably not going to operate the action as it burns too fast and peaks out pressure wise too soon for use in a semi-auto rifle with a gas system, particularly the M1 with its gas port near the muzzle.

As you note in your post, IMR 3031, 4895 and 4064 or similar powders are what's needed to reliably operate an M1 with cast boolits. Many Garand shooters here as well as I, use between 33 and 36 grains of 4895 with good results in the Garand with cast boolits.

I have shot cast boolits in an M1 using Unique powder, but only for plinking knowing that I would have to manually operate the action to eject and load a new round. You will notice that the oprod moves back an inch or two, but not nearly enough to eject the round just fired.

[dilly]

What he said.

Also, you should know that for the M1 Garand, there are powders that work quite well for 30-06 in general but are too hard on the operating rod for a Garand specifically. I don't know quite enough about it to give you a comprehensive list, but I'm pretty sure the aforementioned powders are good.

[FAQMAT]

That's what i tought. Any suggestions for a good plinking load with this bullet and IMR4895/H4895? or else i also have 2-3 pounds of IMR4198.

Edit: Scharfschuetze suggest using 33-36gr of 4895. I should begin at 33 and move up until i find the load that can reliably opperate the action and give a good accuracy, right? What about the 4198? Lyman suggest using between 24.3 and 37gr.

[Scharfschuetze]

That's what i tought. Any suggestions for a good plinking load with this bullet and IMR4895/H4895? or else i also have 2-3 pounds of IMR4198.

I just edited my first post, so you probably didn't see my suggestion there.

Most shooters here as well as I find that a charge between 33 and 36 grains of 4895/4064 works well with the 180 grain or heavier boolit. Start at 33 grains and work up. Reliability and accuracy from a Garand can be a balancing act, but you'll find the sweet spot and if your rifle is up to it, have a good load.

[dilly]

Isn't this the type of application where Larry Gibson would be recommending a tuft of dacron as well for consistency?

[Hick]

When I use a low velocity load (lead or not) in my Garand I change out the gas plug to a spare I carry that has the poppet valve entirely removed. The gas plus just holds everything together. In this mode, you can insert the loaded clip and shoot it as a pull-bolt rifle. Very convenient-- manual but much simpler than loading each cartridge by hand.