Garand ammo

[pklin1297]

What about Varget? I've read some places where Varget is also a suitable powder for the Garand? I already use that to load accurate .308 loads so if I don't have to add one more different powder to the closet that would be better, not to mention I believe IMR4895 is a pretty dirty powder, no?

[the_tunaman]

I'm going to jack my own thread here...

the_tunaman, what is your recipe for your Garand?

I had a chance to get over to the range this afternoon for a short while, thanks to Flyin' Brian opening up as RSO, and I had loaded about 100 rounds with a mild load and another 50 with a little heavier load... I got to shoot several clips of the lighter load and it shot pretty well at 100 yards so I was tickled pink getting to finally send some downrange from my new Garand!

I had previously bought 5 boxes of the Nosler 180 grain ballistic tip projectiles when I first got back into shooting and loading, so I used them for the first couple of batches. Once I work through most of my stock, I'll be working up loads for some lighter projectiles using 150 or 168 grain projectiles, but I was pleased with the way these loads performed for starters.

I used the following:

Remington brass
CCI 200 Large Rifle primers
43 grains Hogdon H4895 powder
180 grain Nosler ballistic tip bullets

They loaded fine, ejected fine, and were very comfortable to shoot. I did not have a chance to break out the chrono and see how they rated, but for a newby M1 shooter they grouped pretty good IMHO.

I also have the other batch loaded with 45.8 grains, but didn't get a chance to shoot them. I know they are still on the lighter side for loads, so neither are pushing the envelope.

I don't want to use anything hotter until I get my gas plug from Garand Gear, and even then will err on the softer side.

I can tell you that I had a blast, literally, with those loads today.

[rm1911]

H4895 and AA2495 work well at 47gr, IMR 4064 works well at 48gr.

yes, there are a range of powders that work. there is a narrow burn rate range to work within though. IMR4895 is the military powder and was designed for the M1, or was it the M1 was designed around it.

I was being a little over the top I've heard that 4064 gives great results as well. and I believe R15 or is it R17? as long as the op rod is safe then you're good to go.

I just know that IMR4895 is "the" garand powder and for me, I'd rather not dick with anything.

plus, I just scored 6 lbs of it from 3rd gen. sc-ore!!

[Pete1979]

Either 4895 works just fine, the military powders weren't always the same lot to lot. I've pulled down some old GI surplus containing 51.5gr of powder leading me to believe that some lots were a lot closer to 4064 in burn rate.
Varget and RL-15 are near 4064 in burn rate and may work good with moderate 150gr loads but I have no idea what the port pressure would be like, especially with heavier bullets.