M1 Reloading Data

[TDH]

I've found 15 grains of WW 296 to be minimum. Any lighter and they may not cycle. And that's the only powder I use for them I prefer 15.1- 15.2 with 110 grain zero plated bullets. And make sure the cases are trimmed to down to trim length. for me that's the biggest fail to fire. And I've found the Aquila may be a bit light to cycle properly.

[Mizzouboy]

I was lucky enough to buy a big pile of USGI pulldown bullets a few years back. Loading with the "do not deviate from" load of 15 gr of W296 has always worked well in GI or commercial brass in my carbines. For my Ruger Blackhawk in .30 carbine, I wanted a little less "zip" and muzzle blast, so loading half-jacketed 95 & 100 gr bullets with 4227 has worked well for a reduced load. Since that takes a bit of experimenting, I'll let you look up your own data on that from the manuals. I have not tried reduced loads in carbines, and don't think I would recommend it. Always length trim your brass! Carbine brass stretches unpredictably.

[imarangemaster]

The 115 grain Bear Creek moly bullets at 1600/1700 FPS with 11 grains of 2400 is a nice mild plinking load. A lot less snap than full bore loads. I have shot several hundred rounds of it, and it works well.

[Wineman]

You just have to watch the OAL with the all lead loads, I ran some of the Bear Creeks, and the bolt would not close, I had to seat them a skosh deeper. I like Alliant 2400 and my very first reloaded cartridge was a 30 Carbine (with a LEE Loader, too much pounding...) and Hercules 2400. I have also used H110 and I have some W296 waiting in the wings. I have never used H/IMR 4227 or Blue Dot or H/IMR 4198. I do have some surplus 10B101 and a pile of Lyman 308359's that might make a nice plinking load.

Dave

[imarangemaster]

I had the same problem with Bear Creek because the ogive of the bullet is so rounded, it engages the rifling earlier than the FMJ loads.