Starting load work up for m1 garand

O

Old 454

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I will be loading for 30-06 for my m1 garand using imr4895 powder and fmjbt 150 grain projectiles.

Do to age of the rifle I dont want to go full house but enough to operate the gas system.

And suggestions about starting loads using imr 4895

Thank you for any suggestions
 
My experience with the M1 Garand with IMR 4895 and 150 grain bullets is that there is no need to start below 45 grains and 47-47.5 grains are good levels and not hard on brass or rifles. My velocities were slightly erratic until I reached 45 grains. Not saying you couldn't start lower if you wish and slightly lower levels than 45 grains should cycle your rifle.
 
It's age doesn't matter as long as it's in decent condition. Hornady's manual, I think it is, has a whole chapter of M1 Rifle loads.
45 grains of IMR4895 is below minimum for a 150.
 
FWIW, M72 Match (.30-06 military match ammo) used more than 46 grains of IMR4895, and that's behind a 173gr bullet. Simply no need to start at a 45gr load with a 150gr bullet, as it is a load that is operating below standard operating pressure. As previously stated, "47-47.5 grains are good levels and not hard on brass or rifles".

Don
 
There's absolutely no down side to reloading light for a Garand as long as the action is functioning reliably. I routinely load 150-155 grain bullets to around 2600 fps and they are more accurate than I can shoot.

For the OP, your best bet would be to get a copy of Hornady's manual and look in the "M1 Garand" section. (FWIW; I tell new reloaders to pay little (no) attention t any forum expert, range rat, gun counter clerk, pet loads website, or gun shop guru when it comes to load data. Your best source is a published reloading manual ;)).
 
Lolol... I have many manuals... I have loaded for many diffrent calibers but never 30-06 for the M1Garand.

And to be honest I have never been given bum info here on the firing line.

Thank you all for the info
 
I hunt whitetail with my Garand, my load is 46grains IMR4895 and 150 grain Core-lokts. Plenty accurate and takes deer well.
 
Standard load is about 47 grains.
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That's my standard load, been loading it for 20 years... that's with IMR4895, not H4895; there is a difference. I use CCI #34 primers in commercial brass. I get 2650-2700fps out of my Garand.
 
I have one M1 that loves 46.3gr of H4895 with a 150gr Hornady. I have another that will not shoot H4895 and will only shoot IMR4895 sort of depressing I must have two powders. This rifle loves IMR4895 46.8 with the same 150gr Hornady.

I know both powders are close but not the same but the second M1 does not like H4895. It shoots like my 12 guage shotgun at 100 yards with H4895.
 
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I know both powders are close but not the same but the second M1 does not like H4895. It shoots like my 12 guage shotgun at 100 yards with H4895.
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You could probably ladder test that rifle with H4895 and find a node somewhere that it likes.... but the Mystery of What Your Gun Likes will continue to the end of time... ;)
 
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