M1 Garand Pet load w/IMR 4895 and IMR 4064

[lencac]

Hi Guys:
Looking for a little input on what you would consider your favorite loads for my M1 Garand using IMR 4895 and 4064.
I also have IMR 4350, RL25, RL22, RL19, H4831

 

[Reloadron]

Any particular bullet weight or bullet?

Ron

 

[lencac]

OOPS!
Yeah, either Hornady 150 FMJ or 168 MK

 

[Reloadron]

OK, this page should get you started. My observations with the Garand is a load that shoots fantastic in one rifle may not shoot well in another rifle. Start low and work up and see how well the rifle shoots. All of the loads in the link should be Garand safe loads. Avoid the red.

Ron

 

[MRH]

Unless you have an adjustable gas plug, DO NOT use those other slower powders outside the range of 4895 and 4064.

Here's the NRA's suggestions:

http://web.archive.org/web/20000620055732/home.att.net/~Masterpo/M1load.htm

 

[LivewireBlanco]

Using Hornady 150 gr FMJ I like 46.5 grains of IMR 4064. I've also used 46 grains of IMR 4895 but found the 4064 load to be more accurate. This was using CCI large primers.

 

[chris in va]

I use 47gr of 4895 under a 150gr in my Garand, no issues.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://masterpostemple.bravepages.com/M1load.htm here ya go

 

[ArchAngelCD]

http://masterpostemple.bravepages.com/M1load.htm here ya go

That is a very good site for military loads...

My favorite M1 load is a 150gr M2 bullet over 46.4gr H4895 but try charges between 46.0gr and 47.0gr H4895 and see what is accurate in your Garand. On the rare occasions I load a 168gr bullet it's with 46.0gr H4895.

The classic M1 load is a 150gr bullet over 47.5gr IMR4895 but the Hodgdon version is ever so slightly faster so I usually stop at 47.0 instead of going to 47.5gr.

Don't get what I'm saying wrong, those charge weights are not the cartridge limits, it's just where I choose to load.

I also have IMR 4350, RL25, RL22, RL19, H4831

Any and all of those powders will probably damage your Op-Rod and you don't want to have to buy one at today's prices!!!

 

[TenDriver]

Mine has been 46.0 of IMR-4064 with a 150 gr bullet.

Last this subject came up I attempted to find the maximum recommended 4064 load with that bullet and got a smarmy answer of "when your rifle blows up", and chastised for trying to find it.

Good luck....

 

[ArchAngelCD]

High velocities are not the enemy of the M1 Garand and the op-rod, slower powders are. With slower powders the pressure curve is still building when the gasses hit the port in the barrel causing the op-rod to slam back extremely hard causing unnecessary strain and ware on the rifle. It's the pressure curve, not high pressures which cause the damage.

(I hope I explained that correctly)

IMR4895 and H4895 are just about perfect for the M1 since IMR4895 was used to develop the original M1 ammo but so is AA2495 which was developed to mimic the pressure curved developed by IMR4895 and AA2520 which it basically the ball powder equivalent of 4895.

 

[LivewireBlanco]

Mine has been 46.0 of IMR-4064 with a 150 gr bullet.

Last this subject came up I attempted to find the maximum recommended 4064 load with that bullet and got a smarmy answer of "when your rifle blows up", and chastised for trying to find it.

Good luck....

TenDriver, I tried 46 and 46.5 grains of IMR 4064 and found that extra .5 grains had a huge effect on my group size. You might want to check it out for yourself.

 

[TenDriver]

I'll check out 46.5 grains. 46 works, but HXP is definitely hotter and works better in my rifle. Of course, out of boredom I loaded up a few hundred with 46 grains.

 

[Ifishsum]

My M1 really likes 48.5 to 49 grs of IMR 4064 behind a 150gr Hornady SP - 46gr was my start point and it shot okay but really tightened up as I approached 49gr. Your rifle may be different though...

I'm still working on a 168gr MK load but so far 47-47.5 grains of IMR 4064 has shown the most promise. I'll settle that after I get a chance to shoot beyond 100 yds, which is how I'll normally be using that load.

 

[Rudytheancient]

I4064 46.4 gr behind the Hornady 155-Amax does a good job of replicating the results I get with that bullet and Vihta Vuori N135, the powder Hornady got the bests results with in the Garand Match ammo (168-A bullet). VV is harder to find than the I4064 and generally more expensive. That load works well in all six of my .06 M1's.

 

[rg1]

Either Hornady 150fmj's or 150 gr. M2 military bullets gets 47 to 47.5 grains of IMR 4895. I'd keep IMR 4895 between 46-48 grains with 150 grain loads. I use RP 9 1/2 primers in LC, RP, and Greek HXP brass. Note that Hornady lists the overall length with their 150 fmj's at 3.185" which will put the cannelure at the case mouth. Older Hornady data listed 3.260-3.262" which has the cannelure out front of the case mouth. I've shot them in Garands at both lengths and had no feeding issues with both lengths. Evidently the Hornady 150 fmj is a generic 30 caliber bullet and the cannelure isn't located perfectly for all calibers. The only powder you listed that is safe for Garand loads are the IMR 4895 or 4064 and the others will damage your rifle.