M1 Garand reloading 2.0

[71vette]

I used up all my IMR-4895 with my previous “M80” bullet loads. I only had 2 pounds so no big deal. I have 10-ish pounds of H-4895 so I wanted to work up a “duplicate” load. The IMR load I standardized on 47 grains for 2560fps. With H-4985 I tried 45 grains (per GRT) and it was spotty on cycling my Springfield and the velocity was about 100 fps low. I bumped up 1/2 a grain and tested again today. No issues with cycling and I averaged 2540fps. Both of these tests used Remington commercial brass and Remington magnum primers.

147gr FMJBT M80 bullet
47gr IMR-4895, 3.25” COAL, Remington LRM (45.5gr H-4895)

24” M1 (IMR): 2560fps
24” M1 (H-4895): 2540fps

These two loads are close enough that they fall within the SD of each other. They also cycle perfectly from my ‘43 Springfield and my ‘43 Winchester. It’s 88 degrees today so no accuracy testing…….

 

[USSR]

Your front handguard looks good, but you really need to replace that birch stock and rear handguard with walnut.

 

[M1A4ME]

It functions but the velocity seems a little low for 150 grain bullets.

I'll have to try some H4895 one of these days. Like you, all my IMR4895 is used up.

For me group size is more important than velocity.

Good luck with it. It's fun to make the old M1's shoot good groups.

 

[rwsmith]

It functions but the velocity seems a little low for 150 grain bullets.

I'll have to try some H4895 one of these days. Like you, all my IMR4895 is used up.

For me group size is more important than velocity.

Good luck with it. It's fun to make the old M1's shoot good groups.

Sounds like you got where you want to go. All that's left is accuracy. Like M1A4ME I wouldn't be adverse to bumping it up a little.