Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles What powder and bullet replicates Garand ammunition?

I would like to reload for my Garand so I am looking for data.
Powder, bullet weight, and COL.
I have H4350 and RL17 powder, but if these are not appropriate I can get whatever is.

Thanks,

P

I have used 46.0-48.0grs of IMR-4064 with 150gr bullets and had no problems.

4350 and '17 aren't appropriate.

One of the 4895 class of powders is what you want.

Yes, do not use 4350 as the port pressure will be too high for the Garand. I suspect the same with RL-17.

IIRC IMR4895 was the powder used in the original military ammo.

IMR 4895 works well in the Garand.

Lyman recommends IMR 4895 and IMR 4064, Hornady and Sierra 168gr HPBTs would work well, soft point bullets aren't recommeded, so I'd say FMJs and HPBTs weighing 150-168grs would be ideal, maybe polymer tipped bullets like SSTs,GMXs and Interbonds, Ballistic Tips and Ballistic Silver Tips, E-Tips, Accubonds, Triples Shocks, Tipped Triple Shocks, Scirrocos, Accutips etc. I know the FMJs and HPBTs will work well, maybe someone else would know for sure about the the polymer tipped bullets? Will plastic-tipped bullets work through an M1 Garand fellas?

Get some IMR 4895 and IMR 4064, neither of the powders you have are suitable for the M1.

IIRC IMR4895 was the powder used in the original military ammo.

I think 4895 was the original powder, IMR was the improved version.

Hence "Improved Military Rifle". Learn something new every day.

The Hornady #7 loading manual has separate service rifle sections for the .223, .308, and .30/06.

Do not use slow-burning powders in the M1; the high port pressures will bend the operating rod.

Either of the 4895s (IMR or Hodgdon), IMR 4064, IMR 4320, Reloader-15, or Hodgdon Varget ought to work well.

I've settled on H4895 under a Win 147 FMJBT with a CCI military primer. Cases are mixed and were, before the first reloading, trimmed .020" under max OAL and subsequently sized with a small base RCBS X-die. Crimped at the cannelure with Lee factory crimp die. Works great.

I was referred to a very interesting perspective in a thread here:
http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?1165-M1-Garand-reload-with-VV-N150-amp-150gr-load

Basically, the premise of one of the posters there (goes by Parashooter) is that the Garand's gas system was designed around a powder charge of ~44 - 50 grains of powder under a 173-grain bullet. Distilling a bit, what that means is that nearly any powder that will give you what you seek in terms of speed and/or accuracy will be 'op-rod-safe' in a Garand, so long as the charge weight you use is below ~50 grains. If you read the person's post and really let it sink in, I think you'll see that his rule of thumb is the most appropriate thing to apply to the loading of an as-issued M1 Garand, rather than a simple admonition to use a certain powder.

They have for the past 25 years or so.

An adjustable gas plug will give you a little wider selection of loads.

I use this one, it limits the pressure, saving the op-rod from damage.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1538/Product/M1_GARAND_ADJUSTABLE_GAS_SYSTEM

I believe that 4895 was the govt powder of choice used in the M1 service rifle......

That's what I thought, thanks.

M2 Ball was loaded with a 152 grain flat based bullet with muzzle velocity of 2805 fps using du Pont No. 4895 (Hatcher). To match this I selected Sierra's #2130 bullet, 150 grain Pro Hunter. A charge of 49.0 grains of Hodgdon 4895 produced 2801 fps in my '03-A3 Springfield (original, excellent condition). Works well in my as-issued Garand.

Of course your mileage may vary depending on a lot of things. Sierra lists a starting charge of 44.5 grains and a max charge of 51.7 grains of IMR 4895 with this bullet.

Should add that I used WLR primers - be SURE that the primer seats level with or below the base of the case to avoid the possibility of slam fires. Should be NO rocking when you stand the cartridge on its base.

M2 overall length was specified to be 3.34 inches -.04 inches. Don't have the specific OAL I used handy but I imagine I seated to just a little less than 3.34 inches. Haven't found crimping to be necessary.

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Found it. 3.30 inches.

50.0 gr IMR 4895 for the 150gr M2ball
50.0gr IMR 4895 for the 150gr red tipped tracer
55.0gr WC 852 for the 165.7gr black tip M2AP
45.0gr IMR 4895 for the crimped case grenade launching blanks
11.0gr SR 4759 for the frangible bullet (green tip with white line)

I have all the original M1 garand ammo specs but these are a few. They are 110% accurate i can assure you. The M2 ball load performs very well with both Sierra and Hornady 150gr spitzers. Be extremely careful deviating from these loads. The main harm is bending the op rod. There are a few sites that may explain powder vs. gas expansion and such without me writing a paragraph to such. Good luck and good shooting.

i also have the military loadings for .30 carbine,.32,.38, .45,.223, .308, .50 bmg,20mm, 30mm, etc...if anyone were to need them.