Reloading question for M1 Garands

[SHYGUY5150]

I was wonder if there is any special way to prep the cases for the M1 Garand?
I've been reloading for awhile with success until I tried reloading for the Garand.
First 5 or so shot fine then it seemed to hang fire, then pin barely hit primer. Cartridges started to hang up in chamber tough to pull bolt back. At that point I tried firing CMP Greek stuff, would not fire. Lubed bolt and firing pin and started shooting Greek stuff fine but would not shoot my reloads, again barely touching primer or not at all!
I prepped the cases like you would a standard 30.06 using my RCBS standard full length size 30.06 dies. .

Projectile 147 gr. FMJ
Powder BLC-2 46 gr.
Primer CCI BR-2
Greek HXP surplus 30.06 case
Case trimmed length 2.475
OAL 3.312
Thanks for any input..john

[mark501w]

Full length size completely go shooting.

[M1NM]

Full length size completely go shooting.

+1

Never had a problem with my reloads in all 5 of my Garands. Light strike sounds like the bolt isn't quite closed. Set your FL resizing die so your handle bottoms out just after the die is touched by the ram. About 1/4 - 1/2 inch of handle travel.

[jameshenry]

Try putting the loaded ammo thru a case gauge. It might tell you the cases are not sized properly. If you post your location a local to you cal gunner might offer assistance. I don't load 30 06 so I can't help.

[cqbdude]

I trim my brass at 2.484".

[thenodnarb]

I haven't reloaded for the Garand yet, but I've been doing a lot of research on it.
I do see one potential glaring problem and that is your powder. Do you have any 4895 or 4064 to use? For the Garand, almost everone suggests those two powders, and very few will suggest anything else. If the garand doesn't get the right pressure and volume of gas at the gas port, it won't cycle properly, or it can overgas and bend the op rod.
Check the manual but I think 48 grains of 4895 is supposed to be perfect for the garand with military brass and a 150grain projectile.

[Eljay]

I have a note that 49 grains BLC-2 is an OK Garand load. 4895 is definitely more typical but I'd focus on case gauging first.

[Enfield47]

Make up a couple of dummy rounds and see if they will feed and extract ok. I had to make eight because I couldn't get the enbloc clip to load correctly with just two (I need more practice time loading just a few rounds). They should go into your chamber without an issue, if they are getting stuck then you know your dies are not FL sizing all the way down.

[knucklehead0202]

I haven't reloaded for the Garand yet, but I've been doing a lot of research on it.
I do see one potential glaring problem and that is your powder. Do you have any 4895 or 4064 to use? For the Garand, almost everone suggests those two powders, and very few will suggest anything else. If the garand doesn't get the right pressure and volume of gas at the gas port, it won't cycle properly, or it can overgas and bend the op rod.
Check the manual but I think 48 grains of 4895 is supposed to be perfect for the garand with military brass and a 150grain projectile.

agreed. while I don't load 30-06, yet, I have had issues with BL-C(2) in high-capacity cases. I loaded some 8x56r and had very inconsistent ignition. I reloaded with the same powder charge and magnum primers. we'll find out tomorrow how that works. as for the garand, my understanding has always been that 4895 is the ideal powder, 4064 or varget being the next best candidate. use what works.

[mark501w]

Ball C doesn't like to be under loaded. If you've got room to move increase your load.

[BruinGuy]

Definitely get a case gauge. Lyman's is only about $15 and it has helped me more than once discover that I hadn't sufficiently resized the case. If the case isn't to spec causing the bolt not to close completely, but you do achieve ignition, you could be in for a catastrophic failure...or some very nasty gases in your face.

I'd also recommend going with harder primers like CCI (or CCI 34). My Garand likes 46.0 gr of imr4895 under Hornady 150gr fmjbt...and it's a fine target load for my Ruger American, too.

[sofbak]

Both your cartridge trim length and your COAL are a bit short, but that wouldn't be causing these problems if the shoulder was located properly.

Based on the description, I would have to point to cartridge shoulder location-it may be set back too far. The bottle neck shoulder is what the cartridge headspaces on in these guns, and if the shoulder is too far back, inadequate sealing in the chamber is the result.

Get a case gauge and check them. I think something is amiss with the full length resizing die adjustment.......

[BajaJames83]

I would recheck you fl sizing die it is probably just a little off. Ive loaded for my garand as well without any problems but I always check my first few cases as they are sized

[angry]

check all the lube points if you mist one it short cycles and cause the same problem

[thenodnarb]

BTW i've had hang fires with BLC2 before. Like others said, it doesn't like to be under loaded(anything less than full capacity really). A full load may be over charged for the garand. BLC2 likes magnum primers as well. If you are having hard extractions after firing your reloads, they could be over pressure already. However if the cartridge chambers but doesn't extract easily without being fired, then you have a problem with your process. You could be crushing the shoulder causing a bulge, or you could have brass that is too long and needs to be trimmed.