Reloading M1 Garand with Hornady .308 150g FMJ

[Der Jagar]

I have a good supply of the Hornady 150 fmj on hand for reloading some of my bolt action military 30/06's and am just beginning to reload for the Garand, having shot a good portion of the PPU M1 Garand 150 gr 06's I bought after getting the Garand. I did load up 100 rds using H4895, IMR4064, and H-Varget using the Horn 150 fmj using three different powder grain weights of each powder to see what powder weight gave me the best accuracy. Haven't shot them yet as my North Iowa winter weather hasn't given a good day to do it, but was wondering about the shorter COL.

I've no problem raising the bullet seating depth (not crimping on cannelure), but was wondering if raising the bullet higher in the neck would affect anything, in other words would the bullet be seated to high in the neck affecting pressure and/or accuracy. Seating the bullet on the cannelure resulted in a COL of around 3.225" if I recall. The PPU 150 gr. ammo was approx. 3.325". I always strive for the best accuracy possible, but as with all of my military rifles, shooting a lot of it offhand, if I get "minute of milk jug" accuracy with no rest and get a hand covering group using a rest, I'm happy. The guns combat accuracy was around that I assume. A 2MOA or less group would be fine and I'll always strive for it, but I know the guns and my limitations.

Wondering also----those of you who do not seat on the cannelure or use a bullet with none, do you use any crimp on the 06 ammo for firing in the semiauto Garand. Reloading my AR and Mini-14 223 ammo I do, but don't for a 250 Savage bolt Ruger M77, nor do I for my various bolt action military rifles. From a lot of what I've read on reloading rifle ammo for a semiauto, a crimp is suggested, but with all things, there can be exceptions. Thanks for the previous replies.

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[browningautorifle]

do you use any crimp on the 06 ammo for firing in the semiauto Garand

I've used lots of bullets without crimp groove and had no problem.

[Der Jagar]

To those who seat bullets without a cannelure/crimp groove or don't use one on a bullet with one, do you have any problem with bullet creep when firing OR do use put a slight crimp on the brass/bullet?