mrcooper
Member
I may be getting a grand soon, do you have to use SB dies, sense its an auto?????
reloading fer M1 Grand???
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Sir, no, you don't need a small-base resize die. You do want to stick with powders in the IMR 4895 to IMR 4064 burn rate range and bullets in the 150-175 grain range, and keep the velocities moderate--2,700-2,800 fps for 150s, 2,500-2,600 for 168s and 175s.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
ACP230
Member
My "Blue Sky" Garand (a returnee from Korea bought at Woolworth's years ago) likes Winchester boattail FMJs at around 2,600 fps.
I've never used anything but H4895 or IMR4895 to load for it.
I've never used anything but H4895 or IMR4895 to load for it.
I ran across this several years back: (Ron H has it - hot loads are not good on your rifle)
(I'm using 3031)
Recommended .30 caliber M1 loadings from the NRA:
147 - 155 grain FMJ or HPBT bullets
IMR 3031 - 48.0 grains
IMR 4895 - 49.0 grains
IMR 4064 - 50.0 grains
W748 - 48.0 grains
AA2460 - 49.0 grains
AA2520 - 51.0 grains
AA2495 - 50.5 grains
H4895 - 49.0 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 49.0 grains
RL-12 - 48.0 grains
165/168 grain FMJ, HP or SP bullets
IMR 4895 - 47.0 grains
IMR 4094 - 48.0 grains
AA2520 - 47.5 grains
AA2495 - 47.0 grains
H4895 - 47.5 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 47.0 grains
RL-12 - 44.5 grains
173/175 grain FMJ or HPBT bullets
IMR 4895 - 46.0 grains
IMR 4064 - 47.0 grains
AA2460 - 46.0 grains
AA2495 - 46.0 grains
H4895 - 47.0 grains
BLC-2 - 48.0 grains
180 grain FMJ, SP or HPBT bullets
IMR 4895 - 43.0 grains
AA2460 - 46.5 grains
AA2495 - 45.5 grains
H4895 - 44.0 grains
BLC-2 - 47.5 grains
RL-12 - 41.5 grains
(I'm using 3031)
Recommended .30 caliber M1 loadings from the NRA:
147 - 155 grain FMJ or HPBT bullets
IMR 3031 - 48.0 grains
IMR 4895 - 49.0 grains
IMR 4064 - 50.0 grains
W748 - 48.0 grains
AA2460 - 49.0 grains
AA2520 - 51.0 grains
AA2495 - 50.5 grains
H4895 - 49.0 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 49.0 grains
RL-12 - 48.0 grains
165/168 grain FMJ, HP or SP bullets
IMR 4895 - 47.0 grains
IMR 4094 - 48.0 grains
AA2520 - 47.5 grains
AA2495 - 47.0 grains
H4895 - 47.5 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 47.0 grains
RL-12 - 44.5 grains
173/175 grain FMJ or HPBT bullets
IMR 4895 - 46.0 grains
IMR 4064 - 47.0 grains
AA2460 - 46.0 grains
AA2495 - 46.0 grains
H4895 - 47.0 grains
BLC-2 - 48.0 grains
180 grain FMJ, SP or HPBT bullets
IMR 4895 - 43.0 grains
AA2460 - 46.5 grains
AA2495 - 45.5 grains
H4895 - 44.0 grains
BLC-2 - 47.5 grains
RL-12 - 41.5 grains
Denver Dick
US Veteran
++1 regarding post by Ron H.
I would add to be sure that your primers are seated all the way. That usually means "below flush" with the base of the case. You do not want a slam fire.
It will ruin your rifle, day and maybe even your health. 
The firing pin in the M1 rifle floats and you will get a tiny little dimple on the primer upon chambering a round. That is normal. Some folks prefer to use primers made for military firearms with floating firing pins that are less sensitive (contrary to popular belief they are not "harder") than regular large rifle primes, e.g., CCI #34 primers instead of regular CCI 200. Although I currently use CCI #34 primers in my 5 M1 rifles, from 1980 to 2002 I used regular CCI 200 primers without any problems whatsoever. But I had a chance to acquire a few thousand #34 primers for a very good price, so I did. However, regardless what primer I've use, I've always been careful to fully seat them below flush. The risk of a slam fire with a "high primer" is quite high.
Good luck,
I would add to be sure that your primers are seated all the way. That usually means "below flush" with the base of the case. You do not want a slam fire.
It will ruin your rifle, day and maybe even your health. The firing pin in the M1 rifle floats and you will get a tiny little dimple on the primer upon chambering a round. That is normal. Some folks prefer to use primers made for military firearms with floating firing pins that are less sensitive (contrary to popular belief they are not "harder") than regular large rifle primes, e.g., CCI #34 primers instead of regular CCI 200. Although I currently use CCI #34 primers in my 5 M1 rifles, from 1980 to 2002 I used regular CCI 200 primers without any problems whatsoever. But I had a chance to acquire a few thousand #34 primers for a very good price, so I did. However, regardless what primer I've use, I've always been careful to fully seat them below flush. The risk of a slam fire with a "high primer" is quite high.
Good luck,
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Most M1 Garand chambers are long. I would measure the chamber and load .010 shorter if you can. In my M1 I load to Max length using 3031 (46 grains) under a 150 Hornady JSP. It loves that load and performs beautifully.
The 30-06 has a lot of potential for "hot rodding". But in the M-1 Garrand you should stick to a duplication of the original 150 gr loading and velocity as anything " hotter" will just accelerate wear and tear on your vintage gun.
Denver Dick
US Veteran
Keep in mind:
Heavy bullets and slow burning powder= bent operating rod
Heavy bullets and slow burning powder= bent operating rod
Marshall 357
Member
Hey there mrcooper, where are you getting your M-1 Garand from?
fredj338
Member
Ron's advice is spot on. I can only add that it's best to not use Federal primers do to the possability of a slam fire. I just ran some test loads in my NM & was getting sub 2" groups off the bags @ 100yds w/ 168gr Hornady match bullets. With my old eyes, that's pretty good.
+1 Ron H.
I've also used Varget with various 150 gr. bullets and had nice groups. Otherwise, I use 4895 or 4320 and keep things in the 2700-2800 range. I seat primers with a Lee AutoPrime and check each one with my finger as I go. This is one heck of a fun gun!!!
I've also used Varget with various 150 gr. bullets and had nice groups. Otherwise, I use 4895 or 4320 and keep things in the 2700-2800 range. I seat primers with a Lee AutoPrime and check each one with my finger as I go. This is one heck of a fun gun!!!
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