Military 30 caliber data

[Larryjk]

In the "Cartridges of the World" book, the military loading data shows 50 grains of IMR4895 with the 150 gr. bullet. It also shows 50 grains of IMR4895 for the 173 grain bullet. Are both loads safe to use in an M1 Garand without risk of hurting the operating rod with the 173 grain bullet? I would like to use some of the 173 grain loads at 600 yards if they won't damage the rifle. The "Guard" used to use the 173 grain load at the National Matches for longer range shooting with the Springfields but I haven't heard of the use of this load in the M1 Garand. Any experience with this load?

[BILLY D.]

Just looked in my Hornady manual and they say 46.1 grs is tops with a 178gr Bullet. 2600 fps. But different manuals say different things.

I use IMR4064 in my M-1. It was and is the most accurate powder IN MY GUN.

I can tell you the heavier bullet choice for long range is a wise one. At least in my 308 F-Class rifle. The M-1 and 308 shoot very close to the same speeds. My M-1 has never been scoped so my iron sight shooting is done out to 500 yds. Thats about as far as these ol' eyes are good for anymore.

I'll do some more research later on.

Best wishes, Bill

[spike1]

I use 46.0 gr of Hodgdon H4895 with 168gr Sierra Matchking and 165 gr Gameking. This makes my 30-06 shoot very tight groups.

Watch my 300 yard movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-WYUzAIb-8

[Adam Helmer]

Larryjk,

I suggest you begin with a starting load of IMR 4895 in your Garand for either the 150 or 173 grain bullets.

My book COTW, 11th Edition on page 62, shows a load of 51 grains of IMR 4895 and a 150 grain bullet in the .30-06 for 2900 fps. That is way too much for the Garand in my opinion. My 168 grain Garand load is 46 grains of IMR 4895.

On page 354, under COTW heading "Military Cartridges of the World" , it shows the .30-06 150 grain Ball M2 load as having 2740 fps and the 172 grain Ball M1 load at 2640 fps.

I suggest you stay below the MAXIMUM loads to ensure the life of your Garand.

Adam

[Larryjk]

Thanks to all you fellows, I thought maybe I was reading COTW incorrectly. I checked the 9th edition (latest I have) and it still lists the 150 grain or 173 grain bullets with 50 grains of IMR4895. In fact the 173 grain load is listed as the National Match load @ 54,000 psi. The 150 grain load (M2 ball)is also listed with 50 grains of IMR 4895 @ 50,000 psi. I guess I will back off a bit and work up a load that shoots accurately in my M1. I had always been warned to stay away from IMR 4350 because the pressure was still too high when the bullet passed the port, leading to bent operating rods. If the military goes with powder of 4895 burning rate, I guess they must have had a reason.
Thanks again.

[Adam Helmer]

Larry,

I just checked my 9th Edition of COTW and find NO listing for 173 grain .30-06 bullets on page 57! The 150 grain bullet is there and 51 grains of IMR4895 listed at 2,900 fps. On page 323 there is the .30-06 Ball loads listed.

Good luck on your load development.

Adam

[Jack]

Larryjk, keep in mind that when the M1 Garand was designed in the 1930's, powders with slower burning rates, like 4350, did not exist.
You want to stay with a powder burning rate about like the 4895 that the cartridge was using when the rifle was designed.
4895 is a classic, 4064 will work (don't use anything slower), Accurate Arms 2520 is good is you want a ball powder, and I suspect Hodgdon's Varget or BlC2 would work, as well as Reloder 15.