Posted on Jul 30, 2018
Reloading buddies: Who has a good reloading recipe for the M-1 Garand?
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I am trying to duplicate the military load for the .30-'06 as used during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. I have Lake City (LC) from '66, '68, '72 and '74. I have disassembled one of each and examed the powder for weight and type (64.1 gr of ball powder) bullet (150 gr FMJ pointed nose) and popped the primers which were red in some and green the other two. The brass case weighed about the same in all four rounds. The most often found result for me has been IMR 4895 (NOT H4895) over CCI Large Rifle Primer pushing out a 150 gr bullet. The bullets I will be using initially is the Xtreme 150 gr FP. General George S. Patton called it "the greatest battle implement ever devised." The rifle I am loading for is one that was produced in 1954 and is NOT Lend/Lease return nor is it refurbished. Since this was a CMP purchase and rated as Correct Grade with all the expected cartouches I am interested in continuing to fire this gun with the best possible ammo I can. Since this rifle is 64 years old and has a pristine barrell and easily goes on the GO-NO GO gage, throat and muzzel are well within specs. Stock is beautiful walnut.
Reloading
Rifle Shooting
Military History
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I mostly use 4064 for the .30-06, but I don't have an M1 Garand and I know that gas pressures can be an issue with them.
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PVT Mark Brown
SSG Tom Pike Thanks Tom. It is exactly that, pressures, that are of concern. I really do not understand why since this rifle is built like a Howitzer. I know there are many good .30-06 recipes available from most reloading data sources.
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PVT Mark Brown
SSG Tom Pike Thank you Sergeant Tom. Gas pressure is the concern. I did a lot of reading trying to get a handle on loads from the early 1940's through current times. While the M-1 is a tank of a rifle it was, after all, created under different physics that today's powder. I have learned that keeping the velocity at or below 2400 FPS. I do not recall the pressure max, my book is downstairs in my gun room.
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Here is an excellent article on reloading for the M1 from the March 1986 American Rifleman. Worth the read and has excellent information. I have a copy printed out on my reloading bench.
https://www.scribd.com/document/40852596/Reloading-for-the-M1-Rifle-J-Clarke
https://www.scribd.com/document/40852596/Reloading-for-the-M1-Rifle-J-Clarke
Reloading for the M1 Rifle -J. Clarke
Reloading for the M1
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PVT Mark Brown
SSG David Phetteplace David thank you for this info. I am certainly going to go have a look see. Good Idea. I have a few things down in my gun room like that and actually a 3 ring binder full.
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For what it’s worth, the Hornady reloading manual has a specific section in it just for the M1 Garand.
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PVT Mark Brown
SSG David Phetteplace Yes I have #9 and have nearly worn out the M-1 Garand .30-06 data. Thanks.
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