Hand loading the Garand

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glockgod

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Should have everything needed to load for my new to me M1 Garand tomorrow or Wednesday. Getting 150gr FMJBT and 168 FMJBT match bullets. Have several powders in inventory including IMR 4895 and 4064. Plus H335 BLC2 H414 among others. What would be a good load to start with?
 
The standard is 47grn IMR4895 under that 150grn bullet, and 46grn IMR4064 under the 168's... but I would work up to that, of course, and particularly with the 168's if you are going to be shooting at distance.

I tested H335 as an alternate powder with the 150's... it worked but would not be my first choice, and I suspect BL-C(2) would be the same.

Just FYI... you need to make sure your primers are seated flush in the pocket, or... preferably... slightly below flush.
 
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Charlie98 said:
The standard is 47grn IMR4895 under that 150grn bullet, and 46grn IMR4064 under the 168's... but I would work up to that, of course, and particularly with the 168's if you are going to be shooting at distance.

I tested H335 as an alternate powder with the 150's... it worked but would not be my first choice, and I suspect BL-C(2) would be the same.

Just FYI... you need to make sure your primers are seated flush in the pocket, or... preferably... slightly flush.
Click to expand...

I've heard the warnings about slam fire. 8 rounds of full auto '06 would be a real eye opener!!
 
Wasn’t really catching it, just making sure I understood. I pay close attention to your posts. They always add value. I slam fired a Garand in my ignorant days. Did two rounds at once. Never repeated that one.
 
derek45 said:
NRA data....

you may have to click on it to make it bigger.

https://i.imgur.com/PXxLwZw.jpg

View attachment 996368

View attachment 996369
Click to expand...

That data for 49.0 grs. of H-335 W/ a 150 gr. bullet is DANGEROUS. I used that load in L.C. 53 cases and promptly blew primers. Way too hot. I backed off to 46.0 grs. and that worked fine, although H-335 gives a basket ball sized fireball. I would believe the BLC-2 data would be nearly the same.

I used this data 25 years ago.
 
FLIGHT762 said:
That data for 49.0 grs. of H-335 W/ a 150 gr. bullet is DANGEROUS. I used that load in L.C. 53 cases and promptly blew primers. Way too hot. I backed off to 46.0 grs. and that worked fine, although H-335 gives a basket ball sized fireball. I would believe the BLC-2 data would be nearly the same.

I used this data 25 years ago.
Click to expand...

I was kind of thinking the same thing. My tests with H335 gave me a fireball as you described...one I could see in daylight at that. Further, I stopped at 44.5grn H335... I was getting flat primers with it, using commercial brass. There is no way on this planet I would load 49grn H335. 44.5grn H335 gave me 2700fps with the Hornady 150grn FMJ, essentially what I get with 47grn IMR4895. As I said, it worked, I just didn't care for how it did it.

OP, it depends on what you are doing with your rifle. I just shoot mine to enjoy it, I don't compete with it. It's a tired old 6-digit Springfield that does not need the beating full-strength ammos would likely give it.
 
FLIGHT762 said:
That data for 49.0 grs. of H-335 W/ a 150 gr. bullet is DANGEROUS. I used that load in L.C. 53 cases and promptly blew primers. Way too hot. I backed off to 46.0 grs. and that worked fine, although H-335 gives a basket ball sized fireball. I would believe the BLC-2 data would be nearly the same.

I used this data 25 years ago.
Click to expand...

I'll start with 150s with 44grs of IMR4895 and go from there. Just looking for function and 8 inch plate at 200 yard accuracy
 
Do yourself a favor and Google: "M1 Garand Forum" You will find lots of sites with load data for the M1 Garand. Your barrel will tell you what it likes. "4895" duplicates the classic military load. 150-168 grain projectile, starting at 46 grains and ladder up in 1/2 grain increments will help find the sweet spot for your barrel.

If you are new to the M1, you'll want to Google: "Sighting in your M1 Garand".

Smiles,
 
I just shot my brand new to me Garand yesterday with 45gr and 46gr or IMR-4895 on a 145gr Przi FMJBT. I had it sighted in after about a dozen shots. Was able to hit a 8 inch target at 100 yards. Not bad for iron sights. I'll probably just stick to 46gr of IMR-4895. Using Hornady brass and Win LR primers, loaded using some old CH dies I got off ebay. Everything worked perfect. Will be shooting again soon.
 
glockgod said:
Should have everything needed to load for my new to me M1 Garand tomorrow or Wednesday. Getting 150gr FMJBT and 168 FMJBT match bullets. Have several powders in inventory including IMR 4895 and 4064. Plus H335 BLC2 H414 among others. What would be a good load to start with?
Click to expand...
You've already gotten some excellent load advice and it sounds like you've got a good starting load all lined up.

As long as the 4895 and 4064 hold out, I wouldn't even bother with the ball powders.

What brand of 168 grain FMJBT match bullets do you have?

I ask because I once bought a bunch of imported 168 gr. FMJBT that were advertised as "Match Grade", but would barely group on a wide brim Stetson at 100 yards.
 
dh1633pm said:
Wasn’t really catching it, just making sure I understood. I pay close attention to your posts. They always add value. I slam fired a Garand in my ignorant days. Did two rounds at once. Never repeated that one.
Click to expand...

Frequently a two round burst in a Garand is from milking the trigger, not a slam fire.

When seating primers for reloading, make sure they are a bit below flush. High primers can lead to slam fires.
 
I prefer H4895 versus IMR4895 but it is not a big difference.

My loads with the two powders are different to obtain the same muzzle velocity from the gun. Not a big difference, but the loads are not the same.

For many of the ammunition that I reload, Garand ammunition included, I like to have alternate loads developed in case I cannot fine my preferred powder.
 
Swampman said:
You've already gotten some excellent load advice and it sounds like you've got a good starting load all lined up.

As long as the 4895 and 4064 hold out, I wouldn't even bother with the ball powders.

What brand of 168 grain FMJBT match bullets do you have?

I ask because I once bought a bunch of imported 168 gr. FMJBT that were advertised as "Match Grade", but would barely group on a wide brim Stetson at 100 yards.
Click to expand...

Getting Hornady 150FMJBT and Speer 168 Match
 
I'd stick with the 4895 and 4064. They are known quantities and shoot well out of the Garand. Your H335 might work, but it will certainly be flashy and accuracy may not be there. Do not use Hornady's load data with BL-C2. It did bad things to my rifle in cold weather, resulting in hangfires and a bent op-rod.

I use 47 gr IMR 4064 with 150s and 46 IMR 4064 for 168s, both in HXP military brass. The M1 rifle is hard on brass. Expect to trim frequently. As stated above, be sure to seat your primers well below flush. You really can't go too deep, the firing pin will still strike with enough force to set them off. Federal primers are not recommended, but I have used them without issue.
 
I was so excited when I got my first one that I put two rounds of Remington Factory loads in it. It went boom boom. Funny I had handled a Garand so many times. Mostly doing military funerals while in the Air Force. I also shot the CMP Matches. Could have double stroked it, I am pretty sure I didn't. I stopped after that and then figure out the reason. Like I said during my ignorant years. I purchased 1K rounds back around 2006. I shoot those. In the Garand matches I shoot the clubs ammo. I load for it and keep a separate 30 cal can filled. It says Garand loads on it and the clips are inside.
 
Walkalong said:
CCI 34 "Milspec" primers are recommended.
Click to expand...
I've considered having that tattooed on my forearm ;)

My best recipe for the Garand is: Sierra 168gr. BTHP, LC brass (for some reason I have hundreds of LC-53), CCI #34 primers, 46.5gr. IMR 4895 powder. Nothing is safe as far as the eye can see and every Garand I've used that load in has munched happily on it.
 
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