Reloading for M1 Garand in .308

Tbolt

Tbolt

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I am trying to find good recipes for reloading .308 in an M1 Garand.
I have one of those adjustable gas valves, but I would like to start with a proven load before I experiment.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I have the Hornady book which lists Garand specific loads but only in 30-06
 
As with the Garand in .30-06, stay with IMR4064, IMR4895 or H4895, altho IMR3031 is a good one too. You can also use W748, H335 or BLC2 without an adjustable gas plug. Some proven and accurate loads in a couple of Garands in 7.62/.308 are:

1. 150gr Hornady FMJ over 40gr IMR3031 or 41gr IMR4895 or 42gr IMR4064, COL 2.800 using DA brass

2. 168gr Sierra Match or Nosler 168gr J4 Match over 39gr IMR3031(original US 7.62 match load), or 39gr IMR4895 or 41gr IMR4064, COL 2.800 in DA brass

3. 155gr Nosler J4 over 41gr IMR4895 or 42gr IMR4064 or 40gr IMR3031, COL 2.800 using DA brass
 
I used the same load that my M1A likes for the first time with my new 308 Garand this past weekend and had exceptional results.

150gr Hornady FMJ with 41.5 gr H4895 in commercial brass WLR primers. COAL is 2.800.
 
It is generally recommended to load between 147-173gr bullets for the M1/M14 using standard jacketed bullet loads.

A powder in the suitable burn rate range for the action of this type of semi auto gas rifle such as IMR 4895, H4895, AA 2495, BL C2, H335, Win 748, IMR 4064 (and there are others).

I would use any 308 Win data using above component types and work up from there. The gas plug expands your options.
 
About 12 years ago, I worked up a pretty decent load for my m1a, which I think should shoot fairly similarly in the garand, not sure about adjusting gas valves, as I don't own a garland. I was using 168 gr fmjbt bullets with 46 grains of imr 4320. I'll go down and double check that load info just to make sure.
 
The most important think that you can do with a 308 Garand is to buy underwear a size smaller than usual. The reason being is that either your #### has already dropped off or it soon will. #### departure is imminent.
 
Tbolt said:
I am trying to find good recipes for reloading .308 in an M1 Garand.
I have one of those adjustable gas valves, but I would like to start with a proven load before I experiment.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I have the Hornady book which lists Garand specific loads but only in 30-06
Click to expand...

Pay it forward and post what you find works for yours. I'm interested in what you find.
 
So I went and played today. I was testing how cutting 2 coils off the ejector spring would tame the tossing of brass with mixed results. Up shot: it doesn't throw brass straight back. It does however kinda throw it around like cards at a poker table. First is about 5 o'clock, a few around 3 (a few landed softly about 4" to my right on the bench) then the last bunch are 2 o'clock. I'll try another coil and see what happens but it may end up being too much off. We'll see.

I also toyed with a couple loads and I wanted to share the results. Front and back rest used. Needless to say, I think I found something it likes.

Range: 100yds with irons
Bullet: Hornady 3037 Bulk FMJ-BT
Brass: Hirtenberger '79 NATO
Powder: 41.5 gr H4895
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
OAL: 2.800
Interestingly, 3 shots went into that far right hole.
IMG_1257.jpg


Same combo as above but brass is Winchester commercial.
IMG_1258.jpg
 
Last edited:
Not the same gun, but I've been messing with loads for my Remi 750 (.308 semi-auto).

I settled on 43gr IMR4064 and 165gr Sierra Gamekings, 2.75" COL.

The rifle hated IMR4895. It liked W748 alright but the groups were tighter with 4064.

I used the following guide, and hundred's of google searches to end up with the load.
http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/f/Sierra308Win.pdf

The toughest part is finding out what the gas system likes. I was getting FTF's with IMR4895. The powders operated the gun flawlessly.
 
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