Garand reloading, small base dies?

[Citadelgrad87]

I've used my dillon 550 for 7.62, .243, .204 and common pistol calibers. It's been a while, but I am comfortable with the press.

I want to load for the Garand. Can anyone recommend dies, I like dillon, should I get small base?

I've seen some loads on line, like Master Pos, anyone have a simple Chevy type pet load for the Garand? Thanks

[Bumslie]

I've used my dillon 550 for 7.62, .243, .204 and common pistol calibers. It's been a while, but I am comfortable with the press.

I want to load for the Garand. Can anyone recommend dies, I like dillon, should I get small base?

I've seen some loads on line, like Master Pos, anyone have a simple Chevy type pet load for the Garand? Thanks

Oh snap. Citadelgrad87 in the reloading forum.

For my CMP garand, I use some 25 year old rcbs dies and they work fine on old lake city 30-06 brass. It works just fine.

I doubt you have tight chamber to warrant the need for small base dies. No need to overwork the brass if you don't need to.

My load for the garand is 155 grain bullet behind 44.5 grains of varget. The bullets I bought were grafs 2nds, I don't see them listed right now but any similar bullet weight would do fine. It's a Soft shooter and a real pleasure to shoot. I really don't want to beat up the old girl.

Data was taken from hornady reloading manual 9th edition

[mark501w]

I use FL RCBS dies & imr 4064 150gr fmj

[fast54vw]

i use regular dillon dies on my garand loads. they shoot great

[highpower790]

unless you have a tight chamber use standard full length dies .should you accurize your rifle and put a Krieger or some other high end barrel,then use small base die.

[Citadelgrad87]

Ok, at lunch I ran by the stockade and picked up a set of standard dillon dies and some projs. I can't recall what's in the stash, so I got some 150s. Should keep me rocking until I can secure something more economical.

Thanks, guys. Sorry to startle you with my appearance.

[Bumslie]

Oh wow. You're close by. If you ever need to borrow/try some equipment, let me know.

[J-cat]

You may need them down the road depending on how tight your chamber is and how much your dies size the brass.

I recently ran into a sticking case issue after four reloads. The case has gotten so hard that my regular die can't size the base small enough. The brass is springing back too much. Can't anneal the base. Have to use a small base die.

[Citadelgrad87]

Oh wow. You're close by. If you ever need to borrow/try some equipment, let me know.

Thanks very much. I work pretty close by, MacArthur and main area. It was good to get out, usually I eat at my desk.

[cruddymutt]

I use Lee dies and imr4895 for my Garand. Ive loaded 168gr and 150gr bullets. Mine likes the 150s better.

[FLIGHT762]

If you already have 30/06 regular dies, you do not need small base dies to reload for the Garand with a standard chamber. If you don't have a set yet and are buying your first set of 30/06 dies, there's nothing wrong with buying a small base set.

[M1NM]

Used standard RCBS dies and had no trouble with any of my 5 Garands. I wouldn't use small base dies on military brass. It's harder and with that much resizing their life will be shortened.

[J-cat]

How much resizing is that?

[Divernhunter]

I use small base dies because I have them. Never had a problem with the ammo or sizing mil brass. Then again I do not try to get 500 reloads from my brass.
The powder the rifle was designed around was IMR4895 and a 147gr bullet.
My load is 47grs of IMR4895 with a 147-150gr bullet. Reg or mag primer does not matter.

[popeye4]

Dillon told me that their rifle dies ARE small base dies (call them to confirm). I like Dillon dies, they work well with their machines.

I like to use small base dies when loading for gas guns. Also make absolutely sure your primers are seated fully (they should be below the plane of the case head). Loading for gas guns requires more attention to detail than for bolt guns.