substitute Powders for Garands

jamiejaf

jamiejaf

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Hope B.C
Hi Guys.
In the past I've been using 4895 and varget. I normally stick with a powder that runs well, however, I'm having trouble sourcing my usual powders. Anyone know a decent substitute commonly available powder? I'll propably get an adjustable gas block if this continues. I called a store they have 3535 and BLC2 in stock. I've been reading in some U.S forums favouring BLC2. If anyone else has a gas rifle friendly powder i'd like to know about it? Something with the same burning range with a safe port pressure. Thanks guys(especially Garand shooters)...and i don't care about the search engine. The Garand isn't for sale :p
Jamie
 
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Thanks guys. Going to pick up something that might work. Brutus seeing your avatar brings back old memories. Did my Basic Para in 8517 and A.I.C 8702
 
IMR3031 and IMR4064 both work quite well, though because of their long sticks they are more difficult to handle (noticeably more difficult than the shorter grained stick powders like H4895 and Varger). Still, I'll happily shoot thrown charges of either.

H335, Winchester-748, BL-C(2) are also very good powders to use. They are ball powders and extremely easy to work with.
 
The key thing is to stay away from the slow powders and the heavy (>180g bullets).
(They create the wrong pressure curve for the gas system, which results in the bolt slamming the rear of the receiver excessively).

The linked page has wonderful load data.

If I was starting from scratch for an accurate paper punching load, I would suggest H4895 and a 168g match projectile like the Hornady HPBTM. H4895 meters well.
 
Lefty #### said:
I currently run BLC2 in my Garand.
150's and started development in the 47gr area.
Click to expand...

I managed to pick up some BL-C2. Upon opening the can i discovered it's a fine ball powder. Not the normal long cylinder shapes of 4895 or Varget.
I'll start on the bottom end and getting the rifle cycling decent. I never run loads to the max, especially in a Garand. Yet, I think i need an adjustable gas plug anyway(just so i can buy ammo at crappy tite for the brass).
 
I'm out of BL C-2. It worked fine, but requires magnum primers, silly i thought since i used cci regular large rifle primers. I have a can of H4198 and its one of the slowest powders out there. Anyone use H4198 in a Garand? My local gun shops are running dry on the normal stuff.
 
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