.30-06 M1 powder ?

[tlen]

Darn, I waited too long and my the IMR4895 powder I bought and stockpiled in 1976 has deteriorated and gone Kaput….
Since spherical powders work best in my RL550B I've been looking at AA2450 and 2520 but the only experience I have it with IMR4895. What's are the current powder options and experience for the M1 ? I'll be loading 168 gr. Sierra International bullets.

 

[NotSoFast]

My Hornady manual lists the following powders for the M1 Garand at 168 gr.
AA2495, VIHT N-135, H4895 (which I use), Win 748, Varget, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, VIHT N-140, RL-15, VIHT N-150, and BL-C2.

The Speer manual lists H 380, IMR 4895, and IMR 4064 powders for "gas-operated semi-automatic match rifles."

 

[Ky Larry]

My Sierra manual says"We've had our best results in Garands when using IMR-4895, IMR-4064,XMR-2495 and 2520." Also, it says to reduce loads by 1 to 1.5 grains when using G.I. brass due to its heavier construction.

For 168 Sierra HPBT MatchKing bullet:
Fed 210 primer
C.O.L. 3.285

IMR-4895 41.0gr-49.0gr 2400fps-2800fps
IMR-4064 41.8gr-51.3gr 2400fps-2900fps
XMR-2495 41.0gr-47.3gr 2400fps-2700fps
AA-2520 42.1gr-50.1gr 2500fps-2900fps

 

[neal7250]

Get you an 8 LB container of H-414, and never look back

 

[P-32]

Larry, you do know Federal primers in a M-1 can lead to problems, Right?

 

[Swampy]

tlen,

The two "M1 Rifle Gas System Safe" load rules are as follows:

1) NEVER load-shoot bullets HEAVIER than 180 grains.
2) NEVER load-shoot powder that is SLOWER than IMR-4320

These rules were handed down by the techies of Springfield Armory (the REAL one.) to the NRA to pass along to civilian Highpower shooters way back in the 1950's. This was when the M1 rifle was first being made available to civvys for competition. Prior to that the only shooters allowed to use the M1 were military personnel and they only shot the ammo they were issued.

Any powder that is the speed of 4320 or faster will be safe for the M1's gas system.... however, if you get much faster than IMR-3031 you go to the other extreme and may start experiencing ftf's due to too little pressure at the gas port.

For feeding in your powder hopper, pick any readily available ball powder with a burn rate between 3031 and 4320 and go to town...

I have used WC-860 in the M1 with good results, though in US 30 it has a big booming report.... not so much in 7.62 Nato. BLC2 is supposed to be good as well.

Just my 2 bits,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[Galil5.56]

Get you an 8 LB container of H-414, and never look back

Neal,

Not to question your post outright, or your experience with an M1, but H414 is considered way to far on the slow side for use in the M1... Almost a "ball 4350". I have not shot the Garand enough to consider myself an authority on it, but any ammo I shoot through a gas piston semi auto stays in the IMR 4895'ish area.

FWIW, I LOVE H414 in my 06 and 243 bolt rifles using mag primers.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Kaput???

Tlen--32 years isn't the max powder has ever been stored, to be used later in perfect condition.

So, I'm moved to ask: How was your "the IMR4895 powder I bought and stockpiled in 1976" stored? And, how did you know that it had died?

If not exposed to moisture, nor excessive heat, (for example, stored in the basement in sealed containers) 32 years should have done nothing to the powder.

And, as a side question, how did you dispose of the "dead" powder?

I don't mean these as a criticism--It's info that could be of use to other members.

 

[Ky Larry]

P-32, I don't relaod for an M-1 (Don't have one). As I stated at the top of my post, this info came directly from my Sierra manual.

 

[swampshooter]

To dispose of unwanted or old powder spread it thinly on your lawn, it makes great fertilizer. iirc it contains a lot of nitrogen.

 

[Slamfire]

When I had my match Garand rebarreled, I went out and conducted load testing with some favorite loads.

I have used kegs of AA2520. When I called Accurate Arms, they told me that AA2520 follows the same pressure curve as 4895. Which means that it is totally appropriate for the M1 or M1a.

When AA2520 first came out in the 80’s, it was popular with the service rifle crowd. It shot well and it metered well.

In developing Garand loads with the 168 SMK, I wanted my loads to be just around 2650 fps This is the velocity on White Box ammo with the 174 FMJ.

Still, I prefer IMR4895 or any of the knockoff's: AA2495 or H4895. IMR 4064 is too longed grained for my dillion 550B though it is a great 308 or 30-06 powder.

Incidentally my notes indicate I shot a 50-2x with that AA2520 load, and that on the 600 yard reduced target .

M1 Garand 30-06 Douglas Barrel 1:10 twist

168 gr Sierra Match 47.0 AA2520 WWII cases (185 to 190 gr cases) WLR OAL 3.30"
5 May 00 T = 82 ° F

Ave Vel =2658
Std Dev =35
ES =85
Low =2612
High =2697
N =5

168 Sierra Match 47.0 grs AA2495 wtd WLR FC Cases OAL 3.30"
5 May 00 T = 82 ° F

Ave Vel =2632
Std Dev =16
ES =50
Low =2616
High =2666
N =10

168 gr Sierra Match 48.0 IMR 4064 wtd LC66NM WLR OAL 3.30"
5 May 00 T = 82 ° F

Ave Vel =2594
Std Dev =18
ES =38
Low =2575
High =2613
N =5

 

[TooTaxed]

I still prefer IMR #4595, which was developed for the M1 Garand. You can still occasionally get it inexpensively from Wideners or some of the other surplus powder dealers listed in Shotgun News. It's also one of the most versatile powders...I use it for everything from .223 Win up through the 8-mms and light 300 Win Mag loads.

 

[USSR]

I still prefer IMR #4595, which was developed for the M1 Garand. You can still occasionally get it inexpensively from Wideners or some of the other surplus powder dealers listed in Shotgun News.

REAL surplus IMR4895 has been gone for 3 years now. It was obtained from demilling .30-06 surplus ammo, and it's all gone. I got some of the last of this great powder in 2005 from Wideners. Jeff Bartlett is advertising a "4895" powder, but it is simply a Russian powder that is similar to IMR4895.

Don

 

[TooTaxed]

USSR, sorry to hear that...

 

[BHP FAN]

''BLC2 is supposed to be good as well...''

It's all my son and I use in our rifles...well,other than Goex black powder.