Reloading M1 Garand with Hornady .308 150g FMJ

[browningautorifle]

to make the bullets dispersion better in the MGs.

That's pretty funny...they actually came up with a reason for them to be so far out of whack... I know ours are made by a company that's made our ammo for over a century, and that's the best they can do.

[TankerDon]

I grabbed 5 of the Magtech's, and they varied .0095 on OAL, and .0135 base to ogive. Not exactly SMK consistent but at 13¢ a whack I'm not complaining. When I get my powder load figured out I'll load a batch sorted by length and see if the groups tighten up.

[Ex Crab]

In reply to Jagers question about crimping, I load either Sierra or Hornady 168 grn HPBTs or el cheapo 147 grns FMJs. I never bother with a crimp.
The results with Sierra 168 grainers sat on 48 grns of Vihtavouri 140 with a COL of 84.30 mm looks like this at 100 mtrs, 4 shots in around 1" and the 5th thrown off to the left:

[Der Jagar]

Ref TankerDon's Magtech measurements, I checked 10 Hornady 150 gr FMJ-BT .308 bullets and found that all ten were remarkable close.
The OAL=1.123" with a +- of .001-.002.
Length from base to cannelure= .389" (+-.001-.002).
Length base to Ogive=.518" (+-.001)
BT base diameter=.272" (+-.001-.002)
Bearing Length=.394" (+-.002-.003)
Bullet Diameter=.308" (no variation)

Comparing Tanker's Magtech's with the Hornady's from what he listed, the Magtech's were approx. .04" average longer (OAL) and .04" longer base to ogive. My measurements may vary a tiny bit from true on some of the listings as getting the caliper true on something like base to ogive was a little touchy, but it gives a fair view of it. The 0.04" difference in his two measurements and mine is approx the difference I noticed with the PPU factory ammo I have when comparing it with the reloads I did and seating the Hornady in the cannelure. That 0.04" difference would bring the COL using the Magtech's closer to most of the recommended COL's I've seen for 06 ammo in the Garand. The .13 cent price if they prove accurate look like a good deal vs the cheapest I've seen Hornadys running around .19-.20 cents a bullet. **Of course I could be wetter than a river carp in all of what I'm writing!

As I penned earlier, I'm not looking for match accuracy, won't get it due to the style of shooting I do, but will strive for the best possible. Will take match accuracy if it comes, but won't toss the Garand away if I don't get it. Referring back to the Hornady's, I've read as 'oldtanker' mentioned, the Hornady 150 gr fmj's were designed more for use in 7.62 (.308) M14 rifle than the Garand, but will work in the 06, but may need to be seated under the cannelure. Still the 150 gr Hornadys are cheaper than any of the 155-168 grain offerings I've seen. Thanks TankerDon for your report.

[USGI]

Are these Hornady bullets you guys have been talking about, the #3037's? I have a few of those on hand, but haven't loaded any for several years. I took a look at the data for loads I made for a WWII '03 Remington and the overall length is 3.185" - they worked OK for plinking. These were crimped in the groove with the Lee die. I just compared the OAL to LC M2 Ball and see about .150" difference. About a year ago, I bought some bulk 146g FN FAL bullets for 10 cents each, thinking of using them for .30-06. They measured real close on size and weight, but I ended up selling them. Have any of you guys ever tried those for your '03's or M1's? I found this thread very informative, and now know the reason why these Hornady bullets seem to be on the short side for loading .30-06! - Bob

[Der Jagar]

Are these Hornady bullets you guys have been talking about, the #3037's? - Bob

Yes they are. Before I did all of my "wanna-be ballistic engineer" measurements, just looking at Hornady's 30 cal 150g fmj, I thought they looked like very good quality bullets. Of Course what-da-ya expect from Hornady. Over the years I've seen some not so good looking off brand (made in ???) bullets being 'hawked' at guns shows and flea markets. I'll do some paper punchin with the 06 Garand Hornady rds I've loaded and see how they do and load some up seating the #3037's out a tad and see how they do. TankerDon's Magtech's look like they may be the ticket for the longer COL vs the Hornadys. Some of the other higher weight 30 caliber offerings from the bullet producers will work, but they can't match the price of the 3037's or the Magtech's.

[Bruce McAskill]

One has to remember that the 150 class BT bullets are not made for the 30-06 but are made for the 308. The USGI rifles and most commercial rifles made for the 30-06 have a rate of twist of 1 in 10 inches. This is why the BY bullets do not shoot as tight in say an M1. Now the M14 and again most commercial rifles in 308 have a twist rate of 1 in 12 inches which will stabilize the 150 BT bullets just fine.

[Der Jagar]

Bruce--If this Hornady 150g fmj-bt I've been referring to was a 150 g flat base would that make a difference. The amount of bearing surface lost on the bullet for the boattail that could engage the bore average's around 0.120" on the 3037. Would this help in stabilizing the bullet? I've read conflicting writings some say the original M1 Garand bullet was a 150g bullet. If so was it a flat base vs a boat tail? Curious, Hornady in their newest reload book has a seperate section for loading the 30/06 in Garands and list the #3037 150g fmj bullet we've been discussing. They don't say anything about not really being designed for the 06 in a Garand---but they are in the business to sell bullets.

[browningautorifle]

If so was it a flat base vs a boat tail?

If you pull bullets from older .30 cal you find a spitzer. I had a couple thousand that were pulled from U.S. issue drill rounds and tumbled, they were all spitzer and shot like they should. They also shot out of everything .30 cal bore we had... I used to shoot more 165 gr spitzer out of the .30 cal rifles and it was magic by comparison.

[Parashooter]

As can be seen in this current listing from Grafs.com, the bullet being discussed in this thread is close in form to the GI bullet for the 7.62 NATO M80 Ball cartridge shown below it. There do appear to be significant differences in ogive, bearing, and cannelure location.



HORNADY 30c(.308) 150gr FMJBT BULLET 200/BX $40.99
In Stock
Item #: HRN3037BOX $0.20 per round


Pulled M80 bullet listed discontinued at MidwayUSA

Many years ago, I bought a large quantity of new Winchester-brand M80 bullets. Their jackets are mild steel plated with a high-copper plating (probably gilding metal). They are OK for plinking in various .30/7.62 military barrels with groove diameter not greater than .309", but horrible in larger ones. Definitely not match-grade.

The problem with short-bearing BT's is often a tendency to yaw in the throat and engrave off-axis. Rough sketch here exaggerates this effect -