Reloading receipe for Garand service rifles
Reloading receipe for Garand service rifles
by towerclimber on Sun 7 Mar - 20:01
The Garand rifle was built to operate within fairly tight pressure ranges, using a fairly limited range of bullets.
I found this out while researching reloading receipes for it.
here's the Hornady approved, M1 Garand specific receipe for IMR4064 powder, using a 168 grain HPBT bullet.
min load: 41.4 grains Max load: 47.2 grains MinOAL : 3.240
I guess that goes to show you, research pays off.
it is NOT suggested, from the research that I've done, to shoot anything greater than a 190grain bullet, but 150-168grain bullets are the optimum for it.
I found this out while researching reloading receipes for it.
here's the Hornady approved, M1 Garand specific receipe for IMR4064 powder, using a 168 grain HPBT bullet.
min load: 41.4 grains Max load: 47.2 grains MinOAL : 3.240
I guess that goes to show you, research pays off.
it is NOT suggested, from the research that I've done, to shoot anything greater than a 190grain bullet, but 150-168grain bullets are the optimum for it.
_________________
"What are the facts? Again and again and again-what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what “the stars foretell,” avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable “verdict of history”--what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!"
towerclimber-
Registration date: 2009-04-02
Number of posts: 1345
Military Veteran: US Army, Mechanized Infantry, Cav.. 
Re: Reloading receipe for Garand service rifles
by ronryder on Sun 7 Mar - 21:38
Yep heavy bullets and loads, can literally beat it to death. the M1 A AFAIK is the same as well, though I am pretty sure modified versions have been built with special twist rates and mechanisms for heavy bullet long range use.
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Number of posts: 2216
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Re: Reloading receipe for Garand service rifles
by towerclimber on Sun 7 Mar - 22:19
If by "beat it to death" you mean bend the op rod and blow off the gas chamber, I agree!
talk about startled..when I read that information, it shocked me. I had loaded 50 rounds of ammo using a regular, (not max load) receipe..I immediately broke them down to their components and then started at the minimum load from the new receipe which was 5 grains less, and made 4 loads of 8 rounds each that progressed in 1/2 grain intervals.
I still don't think I'm going to try them out until I get an adjustable gas plug for it..that way I can open it up, shoot and tighten it down until it cycles like it should for that particular receipe.
I think the M1a may be more forgiving though, since it's got a different sort of gas chamber and the national match rifles have adjustable gas plugs. (something I heartily recommend for the Garand and will be buying next..get em from midway for 35.00)
Also the M1a is chambered only in .308 AFAIK..
Sheesh..I've got a lot to learn..and the more I learn the more I realize that I don't know squat.
talk about startled..when I read that information, it shocked me. I had loaded 50 rounds of ammo using a regular, (not max load) receipe..I immediately broke them down to their components and then started at the minimum load from the new receipe which was 5 grains less, and made 4 loads of 8 rounds each that progressed in 1/2 grain intervals.
I still don't think I'm going to try them out until I get an adjustable gas plug for it..that way I can open it up, shoot and tighten it down until it cycles like it should for that particular receipe.
I think the M1a may be more forgiving though, since it's got a different sort of gas chamber and the national match rifles have adjustable gas plugs. (something I heartily recommend for the Garand and will be buying next..get em from midway for 35.00)
Also the M1a is chambered only in .308 AFAIK..
Sheesh..I've got a lot to learn..and the more I learn the more I realize that I don't know squat.
_________________
"What are the facts? Again and again and again-what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what “the stars foretell,” avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable “verdict of history”--what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!"
towerclimber- Registration date: 2009-04-02
Number of posts: 1345
Military Veteran: US Army, Mechanized Infantry, Cav.. -
Re: Reloading receipe for Garand service rifles
by ronryder on Mon 8 Mar - 14:41
Sounds like you are on the right track, and yes, op rod damage was what I meant, though I dont believe its a "one shot" issue, as I understand it, its a lot of heavy loads that do the damage.
And yes, the M1A is in 308, but the pressure is similar, and perhaps higher than an 06, so its an area to consider when reloading for them as well.
And yes, the M1A is in 308, but the pressure is similar, and perhaps higher than an 06, so its an area to consider when reloading for them as well.
_________________
Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.
ronryder- Registration date: 2008-07-29
Number of posts: 2216
Location: Fallon NV, home of TOPGUN, STRIKE and other terrorists nightmares -
Re: Reloading receipe for Garand service rifles
by towerclimber on Tue 9 Mar - 0:04
coolies. a good thing to know :)
_________________
"What are the facts? Again and again and again-what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what “the stars foretell,” avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable “verdict of history”--what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!"
towerclimber- Registration date: 2009-04-02
Number of posts: 1345
Military Veteran: US Army, Mechanized Infantry, Cav.. -
Re: Reloading receipe for Garand service rifles
by towerclimber on Mon 29 Mar - 21:20
After going to the range and trying out the different loads, I've settled on 44.5 grains of IMR4064 powder with the 168 grain Hollow point boat tailed moly-coated bullet.
So far (I haven't shot any distance with it) at 100 yards I can put my rounds in a 1 inch circle, with iron sights. I'm willing to bet that if I scope that rifle I'll get better accuracy.
So far (I haven't shot any distance with it) at 100 yards I can put my rounds in a 1 inch circle, with iron sights. I'm willing to bet that if I scope that rifle I'll get better accuracy.
_________________
"What are the facts? Again and again and again-what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what “the stars foretell,” avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable “verdict of history”--what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!"
towerclimber- Registration date: 2009-04-02
Number of posts: 1345
Military Veteran: US Army, Mechanized Infantry, Cav.. -
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