Garand Reloading Question :)

SKScanuck

SKScanuck

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Okay I debated about whether to go reloading forum or milsurp for this so milsurp wins...I think you'd have to be a reloader and a Garand shooter to help me with this one...

I see in my Lee Loading manual the max length for 30:06 is 3.34"

I took a sized and deprimed 30:06 and put a 168 g FMJBT bullet in it and dropped it in the chamber. No powder, no primer. The bullet was set way higher than usual at exactly 3.40" with the caliper. I then sent the bolt home "garand style" to set the bullet. When I removed the bullet it measured 3.36". I dropped the bullet in again and gently let the bolt forward. It hung up but gently "locked up" with a weak tap. The third time I did this, it dropped right in place. The OAL was still 3.36".

So I am assuming the bullet at this length is now at the rifling.

Would this be a good OAL for my re-loads or should I back it off some.

My OAL on previous reloads were 3.24 and crimped in place. They shot fairly well for me.
 
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My first question would be how does it feed from the magazine at this length? Hornady, in there fifth edition loading manual, recommends the same 3.340 Max COL. With both my M1A and M1 I have found I get my best accuracy when I ensure the bullet is fully supported in the case neck. In other words the neck must be expanded for it’s full length by the bullet that is being seated. The only warnings I can find in any of my loading information regarding Max COL in the M1 refers to bullets seated so long that it pushes the case out of the chamber slightly which can contribute to a slam fire. I’ve always backed off a fair bit from the lands in order to eliminate any possibility of an over length round contributing to a slam fire.
 
Loading for an M-1 is no big mystery. Be sure the cases are all the same length, full length resize every time and keep the max OAL to 3.340". Your 3.36" is fine if the ammo shoots well in your rifle and fits in the mag well.
I've found IMR4064 gives outstanding accuracy with a 168 grain match bullet.
 
45.0 to 50.0. My load is the Hornady 168 grain BPBT match bullet with 45.5 grains of powder, but you should work up a load for your rifle. A load that shoots well in my rifle may not in yours. This load gives one hole groups out of my '03A4. I nearly excremented myself when I first saw the target.
 
Would this be a good OAL for my re-loads or should I back it off some.
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You should go a bit shorter. The method you have described will jam the bullet into the lands by 5-10 thou. You want the bullet short of the lands to avoid pulling one out should you have to eject an unfired round.

Also keep in mind that measuring OAL to the bullet tip is quite inaccurate because the bullets vary in length considerably. The only accurate way to do it is to use a bullet comparitor that measures to the ogive.
 
Well I tried some today. 45.3, 45.5 and 45.7 g IMR 4064 with 168 g fmjbt Hornady Match. I got my best group with the 45.5, but I also think that was my "best effort"

The OAL length was 3.34 to 3.35.
 
Suputin said:
4064 is a pertty slow powder for a Garand. Might want to have a supply of op-rods if you are going that route.
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I'm not so sure about that. Hornady lists a max. load of 47.2gr of IMR 4064 with there 168gr match bullets using Frontier brass. If you look at the burn rate table at the below link, 4064 is quite close to both H and IMR 4895. Most reloaders in the US consider the H/IMR 4895 burn rate to be ideal for the M1. I have had my best results with IMR 4895 when loading 150 to 168gr bullets.

http://www.reloadammo.com/burnrate.htm
 
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