Loading for the M1

[ducky_0811]

I'm not new to reloading but I'm new to my M1, to protect my investment, I decided to get a garand gear gas plug to minimize the possibility of damaging the op rod. I know the standard powders for the M1 are 4895 and 4064, but is anyone else loading for their rifle with the garand gear, or other adjustable/ported/vented gas plug with a different powder? Not looking for a magic recipe but just confirmation that my train of thought isn't too out of the ball park by looking at loading some h4831 or similarly slower burning powder to take advantage of the gas plug.

[someoneeasy]

The whole point of the gas plug is so you're not restrained to using certain types of powder. Personally I don't use the plugs, but from my readings and talking to others who use them, if using powders that would cause unsafe spikes, the gas plug is designed to vent off excessive pressures, at least the garand gear plug

[rm1911]

47 grains IMR 4895 and a 150gr bullet

[ducky_0811]

I did a ladder with both 4895 and 4064 using a 155gr smk, got a little bit of short stroking with everything under 49 gr, 50 grains 4064 shot best, just wondering if there's anyone using other powders than the two standards

[BruinGuy]

Hmmm...I only use Imr 4895 and 4064 in my Garand, but I don't have the adjustable gas plug. Mine operates fine with 46-47 gr loads. Garands are all unique snowflakes though, given the varying parts, fitment of those parts, age, wear, etc.

Since you've got the "right" powders, have you tried loads with the original gas plug?

Since you've got the GG plug, though, you ought to be okay trying some other powders. I would be cautious of going too hot, but you won't know what your rifle will like without some experimentation. What works in someone else's rifle might not be so great in yours. Just make sure your baby is well greased and oiled.

[crazychinaman]

what kind of primers do you guys use.?

[stevied]

I use Winchester primers. I just got a plug but haven't used it yet. I've been loading 4064 under 155gr hornady just fine. My rifle has been actually grouping better at 300 compared to my friends who has a plug and a new barrel.

[rg1]

The gas plugs for Garands are not meant to be used so you can shoot any slow powder especially IMR4831 which is way too slow. Some use the gas plugs so they can shoot commercial hunting ammo without damaging their op-rods. Commercial ammo is typically loaded hotter than Garand ammo regardless of which unknown powder that they use in their commercial ammo. Some say they use the gas plugs so they can shoot heavier than 165 grain bullets without stress on the op-rod. Some use the gas plugs just to slow down the operation of the op-rod and some use the gas plug to tune their barrels for accuracy improvements. But the gas plugs are not meant for being able to shoot any powder in your loads. Not a Garand expert myself but just to note that your Garand needs grease and not just gun oil on all the operating parts. Grease makes the Garand run smoothly. Shouldn't need 49-50 grains of 4895 or 4064 just to make it cycle??

[ducky_0811]

I'm using a moly fortified grease, it's a ground up build with a lot of Reparked parts that probably need to break in a little bit, also has a new barrel. I'm content with using 4064/4895 as I have a few pounds of each (I also load .308 for an M1A), thanks for the advice, I'll double check stock fit to make sure nothing is binding

[Enfield47]

You should pick up some HXP ammo from the CMP to help break your M1 in. It's safe to shoot and works fine with the Garand Gear gas plug. You could probably use BL-C(2) and be okay but personally I would stick to the proven powders for the Garand.

I have the Garand Gear gas plug but I've only shot HXP and reloads with 4064. I've used 47-49 gr and 150 gr bullets from Weidner's - my best groups were with 47.5 gr of 4064.

[angry]

168 matchkings 46 grains varget

[someoneeasy]

47 grains IMR 4895 and a 150gr bullet

That's what I'm using on mine and it runs great

[someoneeasy]

I did a ladder with both 4895 and 4064 using a 155gr smk, got a little bit of short stroking with everything under 49 gr, 50 grains 4064 shot best, just wondering if there's anyone using other powders than the two standards

Is anything rubbing? 46 and 47 gr for my far and seems like plenty to make it cycle just fine. Maybe perform a tilt test to see if you need to do some relieving

[Citadelgrad87]

My very limited experience is 47gr of 4064 operates my rebuilt, reparked Springfield fine pushing 150s and 155s, using hxp brass.
9
Very soft feeling, and I only fired a single clip, but it ran fine. I ran some hxp first to ensure function before trying my reloads.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

168 matchkings 46 grains varget

this........... I only use Varget for my Garand match loads.. but I use either IMR4895, H4895, IMR4064 for my 150gr blasting loads...