M1 Garand load work up question

[GetReal]

 

[Doom]

I saved this part of a discussion with the retired head ballistician from Hornady, as I thought it was quite interesting:View attachment 1757872

Any idea what brass he used? It gets complicated with Hornady and maybe Win brass as they have a good bit more volume. Most of the military brass isn't that far apart.

 

[Doom]

It's been awhile since I have worked up any loads for the M1 Garand, but I need to work up a new load using 168gr HPBT bullets. Anyway, my inclination is to ladder up charge weights in 8 shot groups, so I can just load each charge weight in an en bloc and shoot them. But it occurred to me that I could use a SLED and single load them and use 5 shot groups. That would exacerbate any issues with first round fliers when loading a fresh clip, but maybe it doesn't matter.

Is there a best practice for number of shots in a group for M1 Garands?

While I'm sure there are many of us with knowledge and experience with the Garand, the best source of information to be had is on the Civilian Marksmanship forum (https://forums.thecmp.org/index.php).

 

[SSchnd]

Planning on starting with IMR4064 and H4895. Some work is required to check velocities and get the charge weight correct. Some working around the recommended charge weights is usually required due to lot variation of powders, bullets, etc.

Run 46.5 gr either H 4895 or IMR 4895 in all my M1 (30-06 not 308 ones) with 110 Vmax, 150-155, 168 projectiles

The old boys who got me started in Across the Course gave me that load. Never fails.

My issued M1 will clean the SR target at 200 prone with any of these including old HXP issued ammo.

 

[GetReal]

A whole library for an M1 owner. Its not just a gun.... its a calling...

 

[OldM1Shooter]

Just run QuickLOAD with YOUR fired case’s water capacity and add a couple of hundred PSI to the pressure at the muzzle for your port pressure. You WILL find a lot of internet lore on M1 Garand is just plain wrong. Do NOT trust any AI on this because it merely regurgitates the incorrect information. Specific example: back in the day, IMR 4320 was a less popular but common enough powder among Service Rifle shooters. If you believe IMR 4064 is okay, so is 4320. NOT to be confyoozed with any of the 4350s.

 

[fatelvis]

Any idea what brass he used? It gets complicated with Hornady and maybe Win brass as they have a good bit more volume. Most of the military brass isn't that far apart.

If I remember correctly, he was referring to Hornady's factory Garand ammo, so it would probably be Hornady brass.

 

[charlie b]

When I did loads for mine I used the 5 round clips made for hunting (where states restrict magazines to 5 shots).

 

[Doom]

If I remember correctly, he was referring to Hornady's factory Garand ammo, so it would probably be Hornady brass.

That probably is on the lighter side/larger volume based based on what I have. Here is a spot check on what I have:

LC 72 171gn, 176 gn (diff Lots)
R-P 194 gn
LC 72 190 gn
HXP (Greek) 190 gn.

EDIT: Above are case weights not volumes.

 

[charlie b]

Interesting. The only military loads I've seen for the Garand were the M1 ball (173gn) and M2 ball (150gn). The Greek stuff I got through CMP was 150gn.

Mine was an older version so I never fired anything over 168gn. Op rods are getting hard to find and when you do they are expensive.

Edit: Ok I missed that you were listing case volumes. Sorry.

 

[GotRDid]

For those who enjoy the JCG Memorial Matches, a trick for Rapids shared by the Old Timers was the scissor twist for your first two rounds. Worked for me since ‘87.
Later I switched to the 2-round enblocs; definitely superior.

 

[Rickhem]

Been a while since I shot my Garand, but used to enjoy shooting the local garand matches when I did. Ended up getting the two round clip, and also the SLED for standing and prone slow. I liked using the SLED.
I started with the loads for the Sierra 168, and also used the Hornady 168, but eventually migrated to using the Speer 125TNT bullets for a lighter load, less recoil, lower cost, and they shot as good or better.

 

[SSchnd]

For those who enjoy the JCG Memorial Matches, a trick for Rapids shared by the Old Timers was the scissor twist for your first two rounds. Worked for me since ‘87.
Later I switched to the 2-round enblocs; definitely superior.

View attachment 1758232

View attachment 1758233

View attachment 1758234

Ah the good Ole HXP . opened the season with that in the issued M1 this March.
Stuff still shoots.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Ah the good Ole HXP . opened the season with that in the issued M1 this March.
Stuff still shoots.

If you have access to some HXP or even LC, I would use that as a baseline to set your expectations for 168 handloads. You might find that shoots well enough.

What is your goal with the Garand as far as accuracy? Will you be using it beyond 200 yards? If not, I also recommend lighter 110-125/135 class bullets for recoils reduction and wear and tear on the Op rods.

 

[10XS]

No need to re-invent the wheel. A 150 gr SMK with 46.5 gr IMR 4895 in a LC, HXP, or other military case with a CCI 200 or WLR primer will do it. I believe you'll also find this is one of the more accurate loads out there. Haven't worked with 168 gr bullets in years so I can't tell you much about loads for them.

 

[GotRDid]

Still have about 35 boxes worth of the Federal; good stuff.

 

[tominboise]

If you have access to some HXP or even LC, I would use that as a baseline to set your expectations for 168 handloads. You might find that shoots well enough.

What is your goal with the Garand as far as accuracy? Will you be using it beyond 200 yards? If not, I also recommend lighter 110-125/135 class bullets for recoils reduction and wear and tear on the Op rods.

I have some HXP and some Danish, which is even better. I am going to run with that for the time being. The first match is next week.

 

[tominboise]

Try some N135 and N140 with155 gn match bullets. Another good powder for a Grand is IMR 4166 with the copper eraser.

I do have 500 155gr bullets and 4lbs of N135. I intend to give this a try when I get some time.