Loading for M1 Garand

[Bhobbs]

I am getting set up to reload for my M1 and want to know the powder weights I should use. I am using Remington brass, Wolf primers and H4895. I would like to replicate M2 ball as close as possible.

[mstlaurent]

The Hornady reloading manual has a section on reloading for the Garand, but I don't have mine handy at work. I think it has data for H4895. I can look when I get home tonight.

If you really want to duplicate M2 Ball, you can buy 150gr FMJ flat-base spitzer bullets at Wideners:

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8980&dir=278|281|727

[Bhobbs]

The Hornady reloading manual has a section on reloading for the Garand, but I don't have mine handy at work. I think it has data for H4895. I can look when I get home tonight.

If you really want to duplicate M2 Ball, you can buy 150gr FMJ flat-base spitzer bullets at Wideners:

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.c...ir=278|281|727

Thanks for the link but I don't have $350 plus shipping right now. I have a couple boxes of Hornady FMJs that I was going to use.

[maxx424]

48 Grn for 4895 in a Garand.

[JAGGUY]

Good info here

http://web.archive.org/web/20000620055732/home.att.net/~Masterpo/M1load.htm

[brianinca]

I don't see the point of going to the time & trouble of reloading and then just duplicating M2 Ball. Just about any Garand in decent condition will show significant accuracy improvements with proper bullet selection. 165/168/175 gr bullets work really well in 30-06's in general and the Garand specifically. Better bullets = better accuracy, makes a BIG difference. FMJ's are designed to be CHEAP before accurate, but they're really not much cheaper than hunting or match bullets in smaller quantity.

I used up a bunch of Nosler 165 gr Ballistic Tips that used to be my preferred hunting bullet (non-lead only now). I was very pleased with accuracy in both my 308 and 3006 Garands, and an 03-A3, very equivalent to 168 gr SMK's in the 308 Garands.

The other issue to be aware of is proper case prep, including resizing and primer pocket uniforming. US Military gas guns in general have some wrinkles the average guy loading for a bolt gun will never run across otherwise. Sierra's manual has an excellent chunk of info specific to these issues. Read up before continuing.

Regards,
Brian in CA

[Bhobbs]

I don't see the point of going to the time & trouble of reloading and then just duplicating M2 Ball. Just about any Garand in decent condition will show significant accuracy improvements with proper bullet selection. 165/168/175 gr bullets work really well in 30-06's in general and the Garand specifically. Better bullets = better accuracy, makes a BIG difference. FMJ's are designed to be CHEAP before accurate, but they're really not much cheaper than hunting or match bullets in smaller quantity.

I used up a bunch of Nosler 165 gr Ballistic Tips that used to be my preferred hunting bullet (non-lead only now). I was very pleased with accuracy in both my 308 and 3006 Garands, and an 03-A3, very equivalent to 168 gr SMK's in the 308 Garands.

The other issue to be aware of is proper case prep, including resizing and primer pocket uniforming. US Military gas guns in general have some wrinkles the average guy loading for a bolt gun will never run across otherwise. Sierra's manual has an excellent chunk of info specific to these issues. Read up before continuing.

Regards,
Brian in CA

Well I was thinking about loading up 155 Match Kings or Scenars for more accurate shooting. I was just looking for a cheap load that I can plink with and have enough to last for a day at the range.

[Bhobbs]

48 Grn for 4895 in a Garand.

Would that be a safe point to start at or should I load a little below and work up?

[Ross]

Would that be a safe point to start at or should I load a little below and work up?

Buy the latest edition of the Hornady book. It has a complete section dedicated to the Garand and safe powders for it.

[brianinca]

>>>
I was just looking for a cheap load
>>>

Nosler 155/168 HPBT's are ~$0.23/rd @ 250 pieces, while 145 gr FMJBT M80 pulls are $0.16/rd @ 500 pieces. Your finished product is ~140 rds /lb of powder $25/lb = $0.17/rd, $0.03 primer, hopefully you've got brass.

So, figure the difference in cost as $0.43/rd for match ammo vs $0.36/rd for plinking ammo. I value my time spent reloading and my time at the range, I know which kind of ammo I reload.

Edit to add: I suggest you get load data from printed manuals, at least two. I use Sierra and Lyman, and the Hornady recommendation is a good one. Getting load data from the 'net isn't such a good idea.

Regards,
Brian in CA

[Bhobbs]

>>>
I was just looking for a cheap load
>>>

Nosler 155/168 HPBT's are ~$0.23/rd @ 250 pieces, while 145 gr FMJBT M80 pulls are $0.16/rd @ 500 pieces. Your finished product is ~140 rds /lb of powder $25/lb = $0.17/rd, $0.03 primer, hopefully you've got brass.

So, figure the difference in cost as $0.43/rd for match ammo vs $0.36/rd for plinking ammo. I value my time spent reloading and my time at the range, I know which kind of ammo I reload.

Edit to add: I suggest you get load data from printed manuals, at least two. I use Sierra and Lyman, and the Hornady recommendation is a good one. Getting load data from the 'net isn't such a good idea.

Regards,
Brian in CA

Yeah I have a Nosler manual but it is pretty limited so I need to get a few more. I just haven't seen any data for the M1 in any manuals I have looked at.

Thanks for the help.