Questions with 30.06 - M1 Garand Reloading

[Samuel Whittemore]

So got my hot little hands on some IMR 4895 and some 150 gr bullets. I wanted to try reloading for the Garand. Can I use this die? And can I use Federal 215 instead of CCI 200 primers? I heard the Winchester brass sucks... what about SPRG?

Any other suggestions?

 

[spmcpeek]

You can use those dies. There should be instructions about how to set them up so the x-die mandrel won't crush cases that are too long. Fed 215 should be fine, but be sure to start low and work your load up. I'm not sure about which commercial brass is best.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

You can use those dies. There should be instructions about how to set them up so the x-die mandrel won't crush cases that are too long. Fed 215 should be fine, but be sure to start low and work your load up. I'm not sure about which commercial brass is best.

Cool .. thank you Sir. Been watching this guy. He's loading 50 gr. IMR4895 --but I'll look around a LOT first cause I hear it's kind of touchy with slam fires and whatnot.

 

[spmcpeek]

Just be sure your primers are seated flush or lower and you won't have any issues. Please don't start close to 50 gr.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

These are the bullets I got 150 gr Hornady

Hornady Bullet 30 Caliber 150 Grain FMJ BT With Cannelure .308" 100/Box Perfect for the M1 Garand

Hornady Bullet 30Cal 150Gr FMJ BT With Cannelure .308" 100/Box Perfect for the M1 Garand Rifle Bullets 30 Caliber (.308) 150 Grain Full Metal Jacket-Boattail Packed Per 100 Note: These Are Component Bullets, Not Loaded Ammunition…..See Details For More Info.Manufacturer: HornadyModel: 3037...

www.lg-outdoors.com

But I just read the Berger 168-grain VLDs were more consistently accurate than 150-grain loads.

M1 Garand Handloads | Handloader Magazine

www.handloadermagazine.com

If anyone is looking for IMR 4895 I actually managed to find some here:

IMR 948951 4895 1 LB. CAN

Fin Feather Fur Outfitters established in 1985 providing outdoor gear for hunters, fishermen, campers, shooters and reloaders and everything outdoor related

www.finfeatherfur.com

Maybe start with 45 gr. and work up to 49?

 

[smoothy8500]

But I just read the Berger 168-grain VLDs were more consistently accurate than 150-grain loads.

The Hornady 150 FMJ's are pretty much the most accurate when compared to other FMJ's, but nowhere near as accurate as a "match" projectile. I don't think you need to go all out with VLD's or other high-dollar projectiles, a decent HP match projectile from HDY, Nosler, or Sierra will serve you well.

 

[spmcpeek]

With the 215 primer, your load will probably be a little hotter than those you listed. The 150 FMJ Hornady are fine but 168 gr HPBT generally work better.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Also be sure to F/L size your cases to near SAAMI minimum so you get easy chambering.

 

[lightman]

Like the others have said, your dies, bullets, powder and primers are fine. Winchester brass can be good or bad, give it a try. I think but can not prove that they use better brass in their loaded ammo than they sell as unfired. I've shot a lot of it. Start low and work up to 49 grains.

The Garand is a fun rifle to shoot. Watch your thumb!

 

[pmclaine]

Brought my Garand to work today and will be taking two hours time at the end of shift to fire up some reloads I made the other day.

My load is 48 grains 4064 with a 168 SMK, WLRP, HXP 1X brass.

I did some workup some years ago and found that worked really well at the 200 yards I was testing it.

I think for 4895 with a 168 I use 46.5 or so grains of powder in mil brass.

There is tons of info out there for loading up 150s to make a sort of M2 clone round.

Note M2 is kind of a hot round. The mil had parts on hand to replace/repair rifles. You may be more comfortable, find it easier on the rifle, even more accurate with mid range loads.

Ill try to remember to come back here with pictures of my shooting results today.

I intended to post in the "Is 30-06 still relevant" thread.

 

[pmclaine]

PS - You should have no issue with slam fires or any such issue as long as the parts of your rifle are in spec.

Its actually amazing the amount of thought Garand put in to creating a safe rifle.

Lets see pictures of what you got.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

This is really valuable stuff! Can't thank you enough.

Arrrgh too many choices... Anyone? What bullet?

https://www.lg-outdoors.com/Search/Keyword?keywords=168%20gr%2030%20cal%20

I'm thinking this one? But it has no cannelure...

Hornady 30 Caliber .308 168 Grain ELD Match 100 Count

30 Caliber .308 168 Grain ELD Match 100 Count by Hornady Bullets and Ammunition Hornady ELD (Extremely Low Drag Match) bullets are specifically designed with polymer Heat Shield tips that and combined with numerous design features and deliver exceptional ballistic coefficients and excellent...

www.lg-outdoors.com

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

PS - You should have no issue with slam fires or any such issue as long as the parts of your rifle are in spec.

Its actually amazing the amount of thought Garand put in to creating a safe rifle.

Lets see pictures of what you got.

Pics of my rifle?
Or pics of the loads when I get some worked up?

 

[smoothy8500]

Arrrgh too many choices... Anyone? What bullet?

HDY HPBT, nothing fancy, costs 28¢ each. You don't need ELD/AMAX/VLD/etc.

Hornady 30 Caliber .308 Diameter 168 Grain Boat Tail Hollow Point Match 250 Count

30 Caliber .308 Diameter 168 Grain Boat Tail Hollow Point Match 250 Count by Hornady Product Overview offers the Hornady .30 Caliber .308 Diameter 168 Grain Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail Match bullets. These 168 gr FMJs are specifically designed with the Advanced Manufacturing Process jacket...

www.lg-outdoors.com

I use Nosler Custom Competition blems:

Custom Competition 30 Caliber 168 Grain HPBT Bullet (250ct)

This bullet is a Nosler Custom Competition 30 Caliber 0.308 Diameter 168 Grain Premium reloading bullet. This bullet has a Boat Tail Base and a Hollow Point Tipstyle. Load / Reload your favorite cartridges with the finest bullets in the world to achiev

www.shootersproshop.com

A recent practice at 300yds with the reduced 600yd target:

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

HDY HPBT, nothing fancy, costs 28¢ each. You don't need ELD/AMAX/VLD/etc.

Hornady 30 Caliber .308 Diameter 168 Grain Boat Tail Hollow Point Match 250 Count

30 Caliber .308 Diameter 168 Grain Boat Tail Hollow Point Match 250 Count by Hornady Product Overview offers the Hornady .30 Caliber .308 Diameter 168 Grain Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail Match bullets. These 168 gr FMJs are specifically designed with the Advanced Manufacturing Process jacket...

www.lg-outdoors.com

Excellent... TY for that.

 

[smoothy8500]

Gratuitous gun porn...

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

The scope is junk.. need better one

 

[pmclaine]

The scope is junk.. need better one

View attachment 7426725

You need to take it off.......

 

[MtnCreek]

Ditch the scope and replace the wood where that abomination of a mount is. Irons and 150gr Hornady FMJ work pretty good at two to three hundred. 168 BTHP past that.

 

[6.5SH]

The scope is junk.. need better one

View attachment 7426725

That pad is to move your cheek away from the stock for use with the side offset scope mounts on the M1C and M1D. It is going to hinder you more than help you.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

Aw crap! See that? I bought the scope mount rail and cheek pad years ago... thinking it would be an asset.

Brand New only shot it with that stuff on it once... and the bummer is I probably can't even sell those parts now... bc nobody is dumb enough to buy theml I guess that's a hard earned $250. lesson down the drain.

That's what happens when I didn't have this forum to bounce my decisions off of... Thank you for the constructive feedback gents.

 

[6.5SH]

I recently gave away one of the cheek pads to a guy I shoot with that recently assembled a Garand with an offset mount. Thing had been in a box in my garage for the last 25+ years.

 

[smoothy8500]

You'll recoup that $250. The M1D cheekpad will sell on the CMP forums....Some Calguns rube will buy the scope mount I'm sure.

 

[pmclaine]

Aw crap! See that? I bought the scope mount rail and cheek pad years ago... thinking it would be an asset.

Brand New only shot it with that stuff on it once... and the bummer is I probably can't even sell those parts now... bc nobody is dumb enough to buy theml I guess that's a hard earned $250. lesson down the drain.

That's what happens when I didn't have this forum to bounce my decisions off of... Thank you for the constructive feedback gents.

Post them at CMP someone will buy them.

 

[pmclaine]

Shows promise. Shooter is the weak link. When I had the front sight buried in the black it was an X. If I felt I had a line of white or had fell left or right it wasnt.

 

[TX_Dan]

As the others said, follow the direction on your X die set up. Winchester brass tends to get loose primer pockets quicker than others. once you’re through your 150’s, check out the Speer 125gr TNT bullets. Just put them behind your 150gr-168gr load and they do well through 200. Wind starts to push them around at 300.