M1 Garand ammo

[1chota]

Trying to work up a load for my M1 Garand with 150 gr. bullets. I have a bunch of Varget which according to the reloading info burns about the same rate as IMR 4895. Is IMR 4895, of which i have none, better than Varget, toss up, or is Varget a wash?

thanks for the help.

[DinosaurMikeGolf]

Hornady 8th Edition for M1 Garand shows a max of 46.2 grains of Varget for 150 to 165 grain bullets (Page 531). I use 46.7 grains of either IRM 4895 or H4895 for that bullet weight in my M1 Garand and have not had any problems. Load a small batch and test the cycling of the rifle. If it provides good results for you, then load up and enjoy!

And page 5-9 of TM 43-0001-27 lists 50 grains of IRM 4895 as the load for M2 Ball.

Edited October 31, 2011 by DinosaurMikeGolf

[n2ipsc]

As far as reloads go, don't use any powder slower than 4064. Doing so can make port pressures too high and bend operating rods.

Most burn rate charts show Varget as very slightly faster than 4064, so you should be good.

[dillon]

I-4064, I-4895 or H-4895 are the safest choices for the Garand. Go slower, and you risk bending the op-rod. Suggest using bullets no heavier than 175 grain as well.

[whistlepig]

I-4064, I-4895 or H-4895 are the safest choices for the Garand. Go slower, and you risk bending the op-rod. Suggest using bullets no heavier than 175 grain as well.

+1 this.

[dauntedfuture]

I4064-4895 and 175 or less bullets.

Edited November 19, 2011 by dauntedfuture