reduced .308 load for M1 Garand

[navyrad8r]

Hey there everyone,
i am looking to create a VERY reduced load for the M1. i have 155 Amax for projo. i am pondering 40gr of 4064, BLC-2, or varget. Probably 4064. I am developing the load for Perry to shoot Garand unlimited class. the rapid will be 2.80 coal but i will stretch the coal for slow fire stages. i would like the round to go 201yards and penetrate the target and cardboard backer 8) not looking to even make it into lake erie. i guess my question is what are the lowest "safe loads" for this plan. 40 gr of whatever seems like it still has plenty on it to meet my needs. All comments welcome!!! thanks

 

[people]

That is a good question. I do not know if it can be done and have it work the action. I know in SR shooting the action has to work like it was desighned to. That applies to Palma also.

With all that said. I have a friend that has bad shoulders. What he did was get some really light bullets and load them just fast enough to suit his needs. They are plenty fast to buck some wind but not so slow that a 1mph wind will take you feet off target.

You have to let us know if you find something to get you to where you go.

 

[NuJudge]

Long ago I would load my .308 Garand down for 200 yard reduced matches. My standard load then was a 168gr Sierra, 39.5gr of either 4895, and a Federal primer in an LC case. My reduced load would be down at 36gr. There really was not much of a reduction in noise or performance, but it still functioned. The way to reduce recoil would be to reduce bullet weight. Years ago lots of people used 125gr bullets in the .308 at 200 yards.
If you are set upon using the 155's, look into the "Youth Loads" that Hodgdon has on its website. They recommend H4895 as giving consistent results down to 60% of normal full charges. The published loads they list don't use 155gr bullets: http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf
Be careful of getting too light to function, as that will get you DQ'ed.

 

[navyrad8r]

Thank you all for the info. That German Salazar guys said the same thing about reducing Bullet weight down to 125ish. i guess the 155's will wait for something better. I did not know about the "youth loads" thank you. my daughter who only shoots international womens pistol always wants to shoo the "wooden gun" and not the mouse gun. this may be a way to get her going with the M1. i will go an pick up a pound of H4895 and tinker. I appreciate everyone's time thank you and good luck this summer! i will update later with some results.

 

[280man]

I'm sure the youth loads were meant for bolt guns. Check and make sure they would be safe to shoot in a M1 Garand

 

[navyrad8r]

thanks .280 i will. i never even knew about the youth loads. i am sure my M1 will be confused since i usually shoot 44gr of IMR4320 under 190 berger/SMK's

 

[moorepower]

Have you tried the 110 V-max? I would be a little concerned about the action cycling. Mine is an 06 so I cant tell you exactly about function on the .308. I do know the 110's are usually quite accurate and cut the recoil a bunch.

 

[navyrad8r]

thanks Pat, i think i am going to go to the bass proshops and grab what ever 110-125 gr projo i can get and just try it out. i am not trying to spend a ton of time or money for this match. goint to use it for the rapid fire stages shooting the M1 unlimited category in a couple of CMP garand matches. what powder did you choose for the -06, just curious.

 

[wc872]

Just a thought. If it is keeping within the rules. Try putting weight in the butt. I have put both steel rods which were a fairly snug fit and had no problems. The added weight really softened the recoil response. I feel that the end result will be better as the rifle operates the way it is supposed to as far as port pressure is concerned and the weight achieves the recoil reduction you are looking for.
Semper Fi

 

[navyrad8r]

WC,
its is packed with reformed "custom fit" fishing sinkers. i melted them into VERY snug bars. About 2+ lbs worth. in M1 unlimited class it is legal along with .308, glass bedding, etc. I was dreaming of getting down to mouse gun recoil.

 

[Beau]

I don't know of any inaccurate 125gr .30 bullets. I've tried Speer, Hornady, Remington & Nosler. All of them would hold the 10 ring on the SR target out of an M1.

 

[navyrad8r]

GREAT!! thx for the extra confidence beau. I am getting other input that all points in the same direction!

 

[Phil McGrath]

Both of my M1A's like the Speer 125TnT
Lc or mil-spec brass
trimmed too 2.005
Primer WLR
Powders Varget-IMR4895-H4895
41.5grs
COAL 2.70

There plenty zippy about 2700fps with AR like recoil on a M1A or M1

 

[moorepower]

I use imr 4064, H4895 or VV 135.

 

[davek]

Cool question, the match issues 30.06 ammo, i look at that is the intent of the match is the shooters will shoot real ammo not reduced loads, with that said , i would think about something in the range of 42g of imr 4895 with a 168mk, or a 150 mk in a .308 or in a .30.06 case, a velocity around 2500fps or so is reduced but not out of line. see you at perry, davek..

 

[navyrad8r]

remember that if you are shooting in "as issued" category it is the issued .30-06 ammo. Last year it was Dave Emary's 168amax on top of Varget, but for the under represented Garand "unlimited" class shooters must provide their own ammo. (hooray handloads)