M1 Garand 30-06 reloading results

[71vette]

This was my first attempt at 30-06 Garand reloading and I’m very happy with the results so far. My intent was an easy shooting M2 ball-esc load. Due to a medical issue I’m sensitive to recoil, so I wanted this to be relatively tame. I loaded up 10 test rounds earlier in the week and was able to sneak out to the range this morning.

My test batch:

Used all Remington commercial brass. Oddly enough, most of my brass is commercial. I also have a significant amount of nickel. The bullets are M80 pulls from CDVS. They look perfect. I’ve gotten quite a lot of primed brass from them along with several batches of bullets. I’ve been very happy with all of it so far.

The range was being used for Sheriff’s department firearms training this morning, but I was able to squeeze in between shifts to chrono the new 30-06 loads.

147gr FMJBT M80 ball
47gr IMR-4895, 3.25” COAL, Remington LRM

24” M1: 2560fps

Cycling was perfect. No issues whatsoever and the bolt locked back/clip ejected like it should. Recoil was more than acceptable. I was standing, wearing a T-shirt and it didn’t beat me up. After getting the velocity, I had five rounds left. There was a bunch of cones and barrels on the range for the department training so I didn’t want to go back to 100 and shoot past them. I was able to find an angle at 50 yards for a clean shot. I fired five kneeling offhand into about 5 inches. Not my best work by far, but it grouped well and I’m assuming it’s capable of much better with me not sucking…..

Here she is with my ‘43 Remington Rand that I also shot today:

This is the ‘43 Winchester with the VAR barrel.

I was able to recover all my -06 and 45 brass along with a LOT of 9mm, not that I really need more of that….. Wish I would have had more time, but it’s a super nice day and I really can’t complain. Got to chat with the Sheriff a bit too. He’s an old family friend.

These were loaded on a Dillon 550 with RCBS dies. FL sizing and a seating die. No crimp. I used a Frankfort auto trickler so the charge weights should be pretty consistent. I’m debating getting a Redding taper crimp die as some web results show significant accuracy improvements with Garands. I am happy with the limited testing so far with the M80 bullets. Plus, can’t beat the price!

ETA - Finished up a small batch today. I think the nickel looks nice!

 

[Nevada Ed]

I get accuracy out of my 30-06 with that weight bullet to 150 gr with
47 grs of 4895 & 4064 IMR powders, for light target loads, for killing paper at my range.
My 03 bolt likes IMR4350 better than the faster powders, for some odd reason.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

@Nevada Ed

I had the same results. My Remington 760 preferred IMR 4350 too.

 

[TJm15.38]

Looks like you've got great loads for the Garand. My go to load has always been 47 grains of IMR 4064 behind a 150-grain Hornady FMJ.

 

[AJ]

That VAR barrel is Danish if you weren't aware. I remember buying "Danish Returns" from the CMP North Store back in the early 2000's. If you can find any Danish made 30-06, buy it. Very accurate! I have a case or two that I am hoarding.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I love these rifles..........Lots of history.....Lots of fun!

 

[71vette]

Yep, the Winchester is a Danish return. The VSR barrel is a ‘57. The only part that’s Winchester on the rifle is the receiver. Everything (other than the barrel) is Springfield. I also have a ‘43 Springfield with a ‘53 Springfield barrel. Everything is Springfield except the trigger guard, that’s Winchester. Go figure.

The Springer:

 

[71vette]

Yep, the Winchester is a Danish return. The VSR barrel is a ‘57. The only part that’s Winchester on the rifle is the receiver. Everything (other than the barrel) is Springfield. I also have a ‘43 Springfield with a ‘53 Springfield barrel. Everything is Springfield except the trigger guard, that’s Winchester. Go figure.

The Springer: