M1 Garand Load building

[Morpheus256]

Hi,

Still very new to reloading but I followed the recipe in my lyman manual. This seems to be the standard load everyone on the internet recommends. Action cycled without issue and no big beatings on the ejected brass. brass was ejected 3-5 feet at 2 O'clock.

Recipe:

150Gr Hornady 3037 FMJBT
1F PPU Brass Trimmer 2.494
CCI 200 Primers
46Gr IMR4895
OAL 3.185 & crimped @ cannelure

I'm only plinking at 50-100 yards so I don't see any reason build my charge, but I've heard some reports that people go down to 45Ggr. Would it be much easier on the rifle's action? or do I run the risk of short stroking and having other issues? The added bonus with dropping 1gr is I would get an extra 3 Rounds/1# of powder.

Thanks
Dave

 

[RifleDude]

My all time favorite M1 load is a 155gr AMAX bullet, no crimp, over 48gr of H4895 in a Winchester case and fired by a Federal 210 primer. OAL 3.300" This load, if I do my part, shoots within 2-2.5" at 100y in my Garand.

 

[Ganderite]

What you are asking about is called "load development".

There are three issues to consider:

1. Is load too mild to cycle the action?
2. Is the load too hot and beats up the rifle?
3. Is the load more accurate than my current load?

Can you shoot off a bench at 50 to 100 yards and shoot a decent group? If so, try some other loads and see if group is noticeably better.

I would load 5 of each, in 0.5 gr increments, from 44 to 47 gr. Shoot off sandbags, and let barrel cool between 5 shot groups. Make sure you have a good aiming mark. I use rectangular black aiming marks stapled to a paper backer.

 

[howard2]

I like to shoot cast out of a lot of rifles and had it on my bucket list to make up a cast load for the M1. I wanted a cheap target load for 100 yards. I haven't spent a lot of time yet fine tuning the load but 32 grains of Imr 4895 under a 180 grain gc cast bullet gave 1759 fps and cycled the action. There is a lot of discussion on m1 loads on castboolits.com

 

[purple]

Here's a couple that have been proven safe, reliable and accurate with the Hornady 150gr FMJ in thousands of rounds in dozens of Garands over the years;

Either 47.5 gr IMR4895 or 48gr IMR4064 with any of Win LR, CCI 34, CCI 200 or Rem 91/2 primers, OAL 3.280 in DA or LC GI cases with no crimp.

I use a target similar to Ganderite's. Make the aiming rectangle 7inches wide and sit the front post at 6 o'clock.

You could drop the load down to 44.5 gr and work back up in .5 gr increments looking for accuracy or functionality changes. Keep the gas plug tight at all times. A correctly lubed Garand should generally eject brass anywhere from 1 to 3 o'clock.

The Hornady 150gr FMJ is the cheapest and most accurate non-match FMJ bullet available. If you want to go for better accuracy try a match bullet in the 150-168gr range.

P.S. Whatever brand of primer you use, make sure that it`s seated below flush with the case head.

 

[NB.nagantsniper]

i have on old but very interesting hand out on reloading for the m1 garand .........its a early 1980 era nra magazine article free to any one who messages me with an email.