30-06 data for M1 Garand, anyone use Ramshot Big Game?

[fatelk]

I'm getting low on 4895. I have an 8 pound keg of Ramshot Big Game powder that I bought because I was told that it is the right powder for the M1.

I thought that TAC would be better because the charge weights are closer to 4895, and Big Game uses a heavier charge weight, and I would have thought it would be too slow for the M1. I did find somewhere (can't find it now) that Ramshot says for some reason that Big Game is better suited.

Has anyone here used Big Game in their M1? I'll be trying to work up a load in a couple days. Ramshot data lists about 56 to 60 grains for the '06 with a 150gr slug.

 

[NCsmitty]

I don't own a Garand or even have a 30'06, but I would guess that it may be too slow for your use in an M1 Garand unless you have an adjustable gas port. I would also say that Tac might be better, as you surmised. Big Game powder does provide good performance in the 30'06 with full power loads. I would be a bit cautious downloading Big Game below the recommended minimum 53.3gr at 2705fps with 150gr Hornady that's listed, should you want to try it.

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/

IMR 4064 or Accurate4064 will work quite well in your Garand for service loads and may be more available.



NCsmitty

 

[fatelk]

I had the same assumption about the burning rate and an M1, but then I read a post somewhere that someone had emailed Ramshot, and the reply from Ramshot said that Big Game was the correct powder for the M1, something about the pressure curve being appropriate even though it burns slower overall.

I've searched again, and can't find it anywhere. Maybe I should just email Ramshot and get it from the horse's mouth.

 

[Joemyxplyx]

fatelk wrote

I read a post somewhere that someone had emailed Ramshot, and the reply from Ramshot said that Big Game was the correct powder for the M1

That someone would be me. I had a reference somewhere about the safety of Big Game in a Garand, but I can't find it now. I wrote Ramshot to double check and make sure since I couldn't find my reference.

Here's my query and the reply from Ramshot:

"Sent: Saturday, December 26, 2009 4:30 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: ramshot.com: Using Big Game in an M1

Somewhere I read Ramshot Big Game was safe to use in the M1. It wouldn't
beat the operating rod to death. I can't find the reference anywhere. I
know the burn rate of Big Game is near that of 4064, which is safe.

So, is Big Game non-destructive of the operating rod for use in an M1?"

Ramshot wrote back saying yes it was safe but with a whole bunch of legalese:
"Western Powders Inc. disclaims all possible liability for damages including, actual, incidental and consequential, resulting from usage of the information or advice contained in this message.

Use the data and advice at your own risk, and with extreme caution.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Allways begin loading from the minimum "START charge and carefully develop loads by increasing in small increments of 2% towards the Maximum load.
DISCLAIMER:
This communication is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient,
(i) please do not read or disclose to others, (ii) please notify the sender by reply mail, and (iii) please
delete this communication from your system. Failure to follow this process may be unlawful. Thank you for your cooperation"

So the answer is yes Big Game is safe, but you're on your own if the operating rod is bent while using Big Game.

 

[Slamfire]

Basic darn problem is whether the stuff will produce the appropriate port pressures.

If the gas port pressure is too high, then the mechanism will be overaccelerated.

I have a bunch of WC852, a ball powder that was made for the 30-06 and tested in M1 Garands.

You would think it is too slow, depending on the lot it takes 60.1 or 61.5 grains with a 150 grain bullet, pushes that around 2700 fps, and is perfectly OK for use in a Garand.

And this is because the port pressure was within spec.

Unfortunately, I don't have a pressure gage, so unknown powders are an unknown in the Garand.

If you can find other powders, AA2520, IMR 4064, IMR 3031, will all work in a Garand. IMR 4064 is the slowest I would go.

 

[Joemyxplyx]

Slamfire, I have a question for your expertise.

Is it true that heavier bullets are likely to result in higher pressures at the gas port than lighter ones?

That is to say, is the load range Ramshot gives for Big Game for 150 grain bullets safer for the op rod than the loads for a 178 grain bullet? I'm asking because I have a bunch of 150 and 125 grain .308 caliber bullets that I want to shoot in the M1 when it warms up.

I figure I don't have to worry about the op rod when using Big Game under those bullets.

 

[USSR]

The 50+ year old axiom for reloading for the Garand is: no powder faster than IMR3031 or slower than IMR4320, and no bullet heavier than 180 grains.

Don

 

[zxcvbob]

I have 8# of Accurate DP-85. I know it's too slow, but I got it cheap enough to pay for an adjustable gas port (after I use up my AA-2495 and RL-12, and one other powder that I think I remember being AA-2520.) And I think DP-85 is a good one for loading full power .30-06 for a bolt action.