Loading for the 7.62 Nato M1 Garand

[Vulcan Bob]

Hi there, I have a Navy Trophy M1 Garand in 7.62 Nato and would like to load for it. It has the military H&R made 7.62 Nato barrel so no problems with that pesky insert I have read about. I would like to load 150 gr service load equivalent ammo for it. A little research and have come up with the IMR 4895 as being rather close to the military propellant and 42.0gr of it should work well with the 150gr bullet. I heard the Hornady manual has a service rifle section and that's on my list for the gun shop run friday. Anyone have any handy hints and load data? All help is appreciated!

 

[Fishinfool]

Either of the 4895's are good choices in the M1 / M1a, and work well without damage to the op rod. I just refrain from loading max loads in my M1a.

I have found best accuracy is with the various 168 grain target bullets, though quality 150's can group well. You will probably need to full length resize for reliable function. You may even need a small base die, depending on your chamber, though neither of my Springfield's did.

Larry

 

[fkienast]

I had one years ago. They are pretty accurate. Lots of room in the magazine to seat the bullet out if you want. These rifles have a true 7.62x51 chamber,not a .308 Winchester chamber. There being some difference in the length, with the 7.62 longer. I did prefer to use military cases for the 7.62 in this rifle, but it is hard to obtain 7.62 that has not been fired by a machine gun these days. I loaded for the 168 grain to optimize for the twist ratio. IMR 4895 works well. See this: Fulton Armory: What's the Difference between .308 Winchester & 7.62x51mm NATO?

 

[Nevada Ed]

In the Navy we went from the 30-06 M1 Garand to the new
M-14 NATO 308 when we were in the far side of the Pacific
while in the CB's.

I did not know the M1 came out in a 308 version.
Stripper clip or magazine feed ?

+1 on the 4895 for target loads with the 147, 150 or 155gr bullets.

 

[M1A]

I load for the M1A NM (7.62x51) and the M1 Garand 1943 (7.62x54). They both prefer the 168gr. Either A-Max or SMK (Sierra Match King).
I have great result with H4895 or IMR4895, but Varget is doing a bit better for my rifles.
The Hogdon manual 9th Ed. has a separate section for loading these milsurps to protect the op rod.
Privi Partisan is a good ammo choice and good brass to reload.
CCI #34 primers, although I've had no trouble with CCI BR.
If your gas cylinder is loose you can easily peen the barrel to tighten to keep the front sight from any movement. Videos for this on YouTube (might be an M14 topic, but same deal) , just take it easy.

 

[fordson]

I have the Hornady #9 manual. It has 308 Service Rifle load data with the 155/168/4895/4064 loading combo with a max of 43.4 grains of IMR 4895 for the 155grain bullet. Surprisingly, not that same combo for the 30-06. I use the Schuster Adjustable Gas Plug in both my M-1 Garand and M1A. I'm not sure but think they aren't allowed in most competitions but they are great for load development. Midway has them for around $36.00.

 

[BUFF]

"I did not know the M1 came out in a 308 version. Stripper clip or magazine feed ?"

Same en bloc clip as the .30-06 Garand. The chamber is the primary difference, plus most have a block in the magazine to prevent the longer .30-06-loaded clip from being put in the magazine.

As surplus .30-06 has dried up, many Garand gunsmiths offer rebarrelng to 7.62 NATO/.308. Springfield Arsenal Inc. has also offered a .308 M-1 Garand.

 

[MichiganScott]

43.0gr. IMR4895 behind a 150gr bullet is most accurate in both my M1A and M99 Savage. It's not max and I see no reason it would not work well in your Garand. I've burned a lot of pull down 4895 in my .30-06 Garands over the years.

 

[ScottZ]

National Match Ammo

The Navy shot two different types of ammunition in the 7.62 National Match garand M118 National Match (old nm), now called M118 special ball and M852 National Match. M852 is a Lake City match case loaded with a Sierra 168 grain Hollow Point boat tail bullet on top of 41.5 grains of IMR4895 powder

 

[Vulcan Bob]

In the Navy we went from the 30-06 M1 Garand to the new
M-14 NATO 308 when we were in the far side of the Pacific
while in the CB's.

I did not know the M1 came out in a 308 version.
Stripper clip or magazine feed ?

+1 on the 4895 for target loads with the 147, 150 or 155gr bullets.

They use the same en bloc clip as the normal Garand. They have a white nylon spacer installed up front to prevent the loading of the longer M2 ball ammo. Initially the Navy did not want to invest in the then new M-14 and met the need to convert to the 7.62 ammo by simply installing a new barrel and spacer block on existing on hand Garands. They did however to save money in serviceable condition barreled guns ream a seat in existing chambers and epoxy in a insert to accommodate the shorter 7.62 Nato round. But the inserts had the habit of securing themselves to the case and were ejected along with the spent brass. This of course was not a good thing and the chamber insert was abandoned.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I would like to thank everyone for their input! I already have a small base die set to use and am doing a LGS run tomorrow and am going to pick up the needed supplies!

 

[fredj338]

I also have a 308/M1, fun rifle to shoot. I use the data from Hornady or equiv. Meaning, any of the medium burners loaded well off the top end. Avoid slower powders & bullets heavier than 175gr.

 

[W.E.G.]

41.5 grains IMR 4895 with a 168 Sierra MatchKing has been the National Match load for .308 since forever.

 

[rwsmith]

IMR 4895

I call 4895 the "Unique' of rifle powders as it works extremely well with .30 caliber cartridges and many on both sides of the 30-06.