Loads for a Garand
- Thread starter H4831
- Start date
You found the magic accuracy load for a 165-168 gr bullet in the .30-06. One bullet that shoots very well is the Sierra 165gr HPBT over 46 or 46.6 gr IMR 4064, OAL 3.250.
Even though 4064 has been around for 80 yrs or so, it is an excellent powder, especially in commonly available MILSURPs incl the .30-06, .303., 7.62NATO, 7.62 Russ, 7x57 and 8x57. It even works well in the 5.56/.223, although it is too bulky to throw charges reliably thru a measure. Varget came out around 18 yrs ago and was touted as a much better replacement for 4064. I did a lot of comparative shooting with Varget in a heavy barreled .308 at the time and really didn't find a remarkable difference between it and other old stand-bys in the .308 incl IMR 3031, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, BLC 2 and W748. Probably the best powder in the .308 by a nose was a commercial ball powder from Higginson`s called WC 755. I bought a stash of it and still use it in .308 bolt guns, but I believe it to be too slow burning for a Garand. Varget is a good powder, but is also a bit too slow burning for a Garand.
Even though 4064 has been around for 80 yrs or so, it is an excellent powder, especially in commonly available MILSURPs incl the .30-06, .303., 7.62NATO, 7.62 Russ, 7x57 and 8x57. It even works well in the 5.56/.223, although it is too bulky to throw charges reliably thru a measure. Varget came out around 18 yrs ago and was touted as a much better replacement for 4064. I did a lot of comparative shooting with Varget in a heavy barreled .308 at the time and really didn't find a remarkable difference between it and other old stand-bys in the .308 incl IMR 3031, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, BLC 2 and W748. Probably the best powder in the .308 by a nose was a commercial ball powder from Higginson`s called WC 755. I bought a stash of it and still use it in .308 bolt guns, but I believe it to be too slow burning for a Garand. Varget is a good powder, but is also a bit too slow burning for a Garand.
"...know a good, safe, shootable hand load for a Garand..." Yep. Might not shoot worth beans out of your rifle though. A lot depends on what you're doing withit. Any 150 to 180 grain bullet using either if the 4895's, IMR4064(accuracy powder) or Varget plus a few others will do nicely. 150 FMJ's for fun shooting. 165 grain hunting bullets for, um, hunting. And 168 grain match bullets with IMR4064 for target shooting.
"...the adjustable gas plugs..." Those are an unnecessary marketing gimmick. Millions of rounds were loaded and fired out of M1 Rifles with no fuss long before there was such a thing.
"...the adjustable gas plugs..." Those are an unnecessary marketing gimmick. Millions of rounds were loaded and fired out of M1 Rifles with no fuss long before there was such a thing.
H4831: You worry too much. Doesn't matter anyhow, as I had a camera installed in your gun room one day when you were at McDonald's visiting with me.
Next time I'm through I'll have to have a look at that Garand. Probably has a bent barrel.......
Next time I'm through I'll have to have a look at that Garand. Probably has a bent barrel.......
- Location
- Newmarket,Ontario
My IHC shot 1" groups at 100 yrds today using 150 gr FMJ Hornady loaded with 45gr H4895, I think I finally found the load my rifle likes!
wolf300H&H
CGN Regular
- Location
- Cabin in central Alberta
try 45.5 gr of imr 4895 with a hornady 168 amax .....
