M1 Garand 308 load

D

diegocn

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
90   0   0
Location
Waterloo, Ontario
My friend loaned me a nice berda garand in 308 win. I'm planning on using it for the up coming 2 gun match. Max distance is about 75 yard with most targets between 25 to 50 yard range. My goal is to work out a load that will cycle the action reliably with minimal recoil. Accuracy should be acceptable but not my top priority.

I will be using Campro 147gr 308 bullet. I have H335, H4895, IMR 4198, and Varget at hand.

My first preference is H335 since it's a ball powder that measures nicely from my powder drop. I made a batch today at 38gr, 40gr, 42gr, and 43gr of H335, they all cycled the action and shoots decent at 50 yard. I'm thinking 38 or 40 since I liked the lower recoil. Anything I should be worried about? like bent op rod and other garand specific issues? I'm slightly concerned as H335 is not really a powder well suited for 308. Also 38gr of H335 doesn't seem to fill the case very well.

Anyone have experience working out a reduced load with these powder for Garand? What is a good load that will fill the case enough and cycle the action?

I've also been thinking to use 110gr bullet designed for M1 carbine as they are cheaper. Again any experience with that in a garand?
 
Imr 4895 and H4895 is what I would use

Varget is too Fast

Op rod is about 300 usd, Plus shipping if you bend it

Your load of , 42gr, and 43gr of H335, were I think too Fast .... Ok in a bolt gun but not a semi

any service load for a M14 (308) should work.... do not exceed the velocity recomended for the m14
 
I only load for a .30-06 Garand and not a .308 but perhaps my experience will be somewhat helpful since it's the same action and a similar pressure.

I find my rifle will cycle easily with starting loads of H4895 and likely could be downloaded a bit and still work.

I've not heard of anyone running one with 110gr bullets and I wonder if it would cause issues with the gas system. Heavier bullets cause increased gas pressure at the port so would lighter bullets cause decreased gas pressure and possibly not cycle the rifle? I don't know.

If you want to go really cheap you could try reduced loads with heavy cast bullets. The issues with the rifle and heavy bullets are only if you're running them at full pressure. A 180-200gr cast bullet going 1700-2000fps with a faster powder doesn't have nearly the same peak pressure so would have reduced port pressure as well. Common powders for reduced cast bullet loads are H4895 using the 60% rule or H4198 using data from the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. I love SR-4759 for cast but it was discontinued several years ago by Hodgdon. Starting loads from the Cast Bullet Handbook tend to not cycle semi's so you'd need to increase the loads slowly until the action cycles. Increase it too much and you'll exceed the speed limit for cast bullets (depends on alloy, lube, and other factors) and get horrible accuracy, tumbling/keyholed bullets, and barrel leading. I've managed to get gas checked hard cast bullets to cycle two Nornico M14's, a Garand, and a 10.5" AR-15 while staying under the limit and getting decent performance.

Easiest solution is to just accept that full-bore rifle cartridges are expensive and use the 147gr Campro bullets with H4895.
 
Other than checking the usual pressure sign, is there a way to tell the round is loaded too hot for the garand? Recoil is quite mild on all H335 load.

Regarding reduced load with H4895, I've tried it in 7.62x39 before starting at 60% and work up. Lots of unburned powder at lower end and erratic ignition. You ever run into that on Garand?
 
diegocn said:
Other than checking the usual pressure sign, is there a way to tell the round is loaded too hot for the garand? Recoil is quite mild on all H335 load.

Regarding reduced load with H4895, I've tried it in 7.62x39 before starting at 60% and work up. Lots of unburned powder at lower end and erratic ignition. You ever run into that on Garand?
Click to expand...

The Garand functions the best with the best indicators is Velocity using service rifle data

and if it a 308 Garand stick to M14 service rifle data

you do not need to push velocity all you need to do is work up to a accurate load in your rifle keeping it below max loads for service rifle .. and change recoil spring when required

paper and hunting, it does not matter it it is a bit slower than the bolt gun your buddy is using
 
just having some fun said:
Imr 4895 and H4895 is what I would use

Varget is too Fast

Op rod is about 300 usd, Plus shipping if you bend it

Your load of , 42gr, and 43gr of H335, were I think too Fast .... Ok in a bolt gun but not a semi

any service load for a M14 (308) should work.... do not exceed the velocity recomended for the m14
Click to expand...


According to Hodgdon, Varget is slower than either H4895 or IMR4895.
 
tiriaq said:
According to Hodgdon, Varget is slower than either H4895 or IMR4895.
Click to expand...


















I believe he meant that varget is too fast as in too much pressure at the gas port because it is a slower powder.

Try 41 grain of 4064 under your bullet. Really is the best powder for Garand's and M-14's.

Scott
 
4895 and 4064 ar the same powder, but extruded to different size kernals. 4064 tends to be bulkier and is best in 3006 cases.

Either 4895 or 4064 will work well in a 308 Garand, loaded to full power. Varget will work, if you use a mid-power load.

For a 50 yard load, anything will work if you down load. Just find something that cycles. Work up.
.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom