Garand Recipes

[Claven2]

If I recall, the Hornady manual gives garand specific loads. I've not seen it in person (I don;t have the complete hornady manual - just the sections on some calibers), but someone here who has it might be able to confirm.

I do know that anything over 49gr of 4895 would be what I consider "too hot" for prolonged use in a Garand. I tended to stay between 47gr and 48.5gr - the 48.5gr being the most accurate load I tested in my rifles using the hodgdon 4895 formulation.

Your mileage may vary though as each rifle will hit peak accuracy with a slightly different loading, depending mostly on bore dimensions and condition.

[J.P.]

Thanks Claven, that Hornady manual you mentioned is a tricky bugger to find. I think it's edition no. 5 that has the Garand section, but I can't find it at any retailers. Anybody got it and care to pass along some info? I don't really need more load data, if anything I have too much, but I like to compare. I am trying to find a less than max load that is reasonably accurate in all six of my Garands. One rifle has an uncut oprod. I only make holes in paper and want to minimize gas cylinder/piston wear, barrel wear, op rod track wear etc. So far I am happy with 46.5gr IMR 4895 with 150;s or 155's, what can someone suggest as an appropriately light load with 168's an IMR or H4895? Jeff

[(((Echo)))]

Hornady 5th Edition
M1 Garand Section

150-155 grain bullets
H 4895
43.2 gr - 46.4 gr (2400-2600 fps)

168 grain bullets
IMR 4895
39.6 gr - 47.1 gr (2300-2600 fps)
H 4895
39.8 gr - 46.4 gr (2300-2600 fps)

Anything else in particular that someone's looking for?

(E)

Woohoo, 1st post!

[Claven2]

Well there you have it! I doubt you'll get better M1 load data than the M1 specific data from Hornady

[J.P.]

Thank you Echo. Much appreciated. Jeff

[c9er]

Sad but true, I don't have reloading gear. What do I shoot out of my Garand?

A while back I bought a crate of Greek 'Olympic' ammo, let me know if you guys think its okay?

The box is all metric so here's the Google conversions:
"Propelling charge" NCD Powder 47.84gr (3.1 grams)
Bullet "Tombac jacket - Lead antimony" 147.84gr (9.58 grams)
Now this is confusing... "cartridge charge" 199.07gr! (12.9 grams) They must mean the weight of the brass, right?
Velocity: 2,739.50 fps (835 + or - 9.1 M/s)
Pressure:49,893 PSI (3,440 P max mean Bar) Knowing next to nothing about reloading the pressure sounds high.
They also indicate: "Standard MIL-C-1313F

Another reason I am seeking the board members opinions is that I can see that the bullets are seated inconsistently. I see a bit of cannelure on some and absolutely none on others.
What is the danger of a bullet that is not seated far enough. I think I know the danger of a bullet that is seated too far? But tell me anyways

As always, your advice is greatly appreciated in advance.
C9er

[Claven2]

My spidey senses (actually gun forum lore) is that the Greek is reliable but mediocre ammo that is a great source of brass for reloads Should be great fodder but don;t expect match performance.

[J.P.]

The US forums talk about the Greek surplus 06 as being dirty to shoot (as in fouling) and not very accurate, although perfectly safe for an M1, as that is what it was loaded for. 50,000 PSI is appropriate. Current pressure max in modern boltguns for 30-06 is almost 60k, and 50 is about right for a Garand, the PSI figures do look high compared to CUP (copper units pressure) figures. Shoot it and enjoy. For commercial ammo, I have been told that Remington UMC and Winchester USA are safe in M1's. If you can find it Black hills 168 Match is supposed to be excellent, and was developed for Garands. Jeff

[762nato]

Original load right from the manual is 50.0 Gr. IMR 4895 with a 152 Gr. Flat base bullet. I can email the manual for all US small bore to people if they would like it.

Andy

[Garand]

I've had my best luck with 47.5 grains of IMR 4895 pushing 168 grain Hornady BTHP. Great bullet.