M1 Garand - The Firearms Forum

Celraysoda · 05-14-2009, 07:29 PM

Looking to reload for my M1. Anybody have any good tested and proven specs on bullet grain and powders? I understand IMR 4895 is the way to go. What is a good mold to use if I would want to cast my own bullets? I'm asking due to the horror stories of exploding Garands.

Thanks.

NuJudge · 05-14-2009, 08:07 PM

Before you pick a load, what do you want to do with the ammo: plinking, informal target shooting, or formal target shooting?

The CMP Greek surplus is probably the cheapest source of .30-'06 ammo still, probably cheaper than jacketed bullet handloads for most people. What they still have comes on clips. I have had some minor issues with the Greek clips, but only minor.

Look at the bottom of this site for jacketed bullet loads:
http://radomski.us/njhp/

For cast bullet loads, look on the Cast Boolits website.

Celraysoda · 05-14-2009, 08:15 PM

Thanks for the info. Informal target shooting for now. I have some other match set aside for competition. Greek surplus is great stuff but there has been a lot of demand now and my local place is out and cannot get it anymore. I was paying $11 per box of 20 of M2 ball.

Celraysoda · 05-14-2009, 08:45 PM

I read on Boolits that there is a great reload spec for the M1 garand by BobS but cannot find it. Any help from a copy and paster would be much appreciated!

-Thanks.

Celraysoda · 05-14-2009, 08:49 PM

I also see that Lyman has a nice selection of .30 Cal molds. Anybody have experience with any of them in an M1?

gdmoody · 05-15-2009, 12:12 AM

I use a Hornady 168 grain A-Max bullet pushed by 42.5 grains of Varget Powder. I have never chronographed them but the Hornady manual say they travel at 2400 fps. Hornady has a section for the M1 Garand rifle.

I cast handgun bullets but have never used cast in a rifle, don't much like the idea of digging lead from the rifleing.

LDBennett · 05-15-2009, 07:38 AM

I too have never used cast bullets in my Garands. I am told (???) that any gas operated gun with a gas hole in the barrel is problematical with cast bullets. It appears the hole can clog with lead bits sheared off the lead bullet as it passes over the hole. I don't know if ths is true but it sounds correct. I don't cast either so I have no way or desire to test it.

I have been told by a well know gunsmith that the 22LR conversion used on the AR15 produce this problem if you don't keep the gas hole blown out by regular returns to 223 ammo. Sounds like a solution to me for the use of cast bullets in the Garand. Just follow a cast bullet shooting session by a group from jacketed ammo before you put the gun away or regularly remove the gas block and clean the hole in the barrel with the correct twist drill (by hand).

LDBennett

Alpo · 05-15-2009, 08:50 AM

LD, I've wondered about that. I remember, many years back, when I got my Ruger Deerslayer, being told (by Ruger) not to shoot cast bullets in it because it was gas-operated. But I hear of people shooting them in Garands and Carbines. I like the thought, especially now that jacket bullets are running close to a quarter each. But I don't want to hurt my guns.

USMC-03 · 05-15-2009, 09:02 AM

I've just made it my standard practice to shoot only jacketed bullets in semi-auto firearms, and especially gas operated ones. I have enough trouble with copper frouling in the barrel, I don't need lead fouling on top of that. Any of the 168 grain BTHP bullets will work well in a Garand but I've found that the Sierra 175 grain MK will give the best performance. I also really like the Nosler 165 grain BT. 4895 is considered the standard powder but any number of others work well also; 4064, Varget, etc. Don't use 4350 or similar slow burning powders, they can dammage the Garand's gas system.

firewrench044 · 05-15-2009, 11:45 AM

I to have heard that cast bullets in a garand can cause problems
so I have avoided them

very good load in my Garands and 1903A3 is--

LC case
155gr Sierra Pala
45.7gr IMR 4895
CCI # 34 Primer
COAL -- 3.300

LDBennett · 05-15-2009, 12:47 PM

Most every semi-auto centerfire commercial or military rifle was designed to use jacketed bullets. It seems counter to the design to shoot cast bullets (??). so I don't shoot cast bullets in them.

I rarely if ever shoot cast bullets at all. I actually shoot Rainier plated bullets, or Winchester or Remington bulk jacketed bullets in all my handguns to avoid leading up the barrels. I know, there is a very big following of cast bullets and the barrel last longer (it says here?), but I have never had anything but leaded up barrels with raw cast bullets. And with the Garand it makes no sense at all, to me. That's my opinion and yours may differ.

LDBennett

gdmoody · 05-15-2009, 01:20 PM

LD, I do agree with you. I shoot a lot of Rainier and Berry's plated bullets, but I do cast bullets for every handgun I shoot and for my 45/70 but would never contemplate shooting any in my Garand.

Celraysoda · 05-15-2009, 05:48 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I was wary as well but heard a few success stories. Figured it's just not worth it with all the surplus still available to refer to casting for the Garand. I'll look for the Sierra Palma, it will be difficult in my area but there is always mail order....

-Thanks.

05-14-2009, 07:29 PM	#1
Celraysoda Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 17	M1 Garand Looking to reload for my M1. Anybody have any good tested and proven specs on bullet grain and powders? I understand IMR 4895 is the way to go. What is a good mold to use if I would want to cast my own bullets? I'm asking due to the horror stories of exploding Garands. Thanks. --> Last edited by Celraysoda; 05-14-2009 at 07:53 PM..

05-14-2009, 08:07 PM	#2
NuJudge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 38	Re: M1 Garand Before you pick a load, what do you want to do with the ammo: plinking, informal target shooting, or formal target shooting? The CMP Greek surplus is probably the cheapest source of .30-'06 ammo still, probably cheaper than jacketed bullet handloads for most people. What they still have comes on clips. I have had some minor issues with the Greek clips, but only minor. Look at the bottom of this site for jacketed bullet loads: http://radomski.us/njhp/ For cast bullet loads, look on the Cast Boolits website.

05-14-2009, 08:15 PM	#3
Celraysoda Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 17	Re: M1 Garand Thanks for the info. Informal target shooting for now. I have some other match set aside for competition. Greek surplus is great stuff but there has been a lot of demand now and my local place is out and cannot get it anymore. I was paying $11 per box of 20 of M2 ball.

05-14-2009, 08:45 PM	#4
Celraysoda Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 17	Re: M1 Garand I read on Boolits that there is a great reload spec for the M1 garand by BobS but cannot find it. Any help from a copy and paster would be much appreciated! -Thanks.

05-14-2009, 08:49 PM	#5
Celraysoda Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 17	Re: M1 Garand I also see that Lyman has a nice selection of .30 Cal molds. Anybody have experience with any of them in an M1?

05-15-2009, 12:12 AM	#6
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,343	Re: M1 Garand I use a Hornady 168 grain A-Max bullet pushed by 42.5 grains of Varget Powder. I have never chronographed them but the Hornady manual say they travel at 2400 fps. Hornady has a section for the M1 Garand rifle. I cast handgun bullets but have never used cast in a rifle, don't much like the idea of digging lead from the rifleing. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

05-15-2009, 07:38 AM	#7
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,715	Re: M1 Garand I too have never used cast bullets in my Garands. I am told (???) that any gas operated gun with a gas hole in the barrel is problematical with cast bullets. It appears the hole can clog with lead bits sheared off the lead bullet as it passes over the hole. I don't know if ths is true but it sounds correct. I don't cast either so I have no way or desire to test it. I have been told by a well know gunsmith that the 22LR conversion used on the AR15 produce this problem if you don't keep the gas hole blown out by regular returns to 223 ammo. Sounds like a solution to me for the use of cast bullets in the Garand. Just follow a cast bullet shooting session by a group from jacketed ammo before you put the gun away or regularly remove the gas block and clean the hole in the barrel with the correct twist drill (by hand). LDBennett

05-15-2009, 08:50 AM	#8
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: M1 Garand LD, I've wondered about that. I remember, many years back, when I got my Ruger Deerslayer, being told (by Ruger) not to shoot cast bullets in it because it was gas-operated. But I hear of people shooting them in Garands and Carbines. I like the thought, especially now that jacket bullets are running close to a quarter each. But I don't want to hurt my guns. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

05-15-2009, 09:02 AM	#9
USMC-03 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of the Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,825	Re: M1 Garand I've just made it my standard practice to shoot only jacketed bullets in semi-auto firearms, and especially gas operated ones. I have enough trouble with copper frouling in the barrel, I don't need lead fouling on top of that. Any of the 168 grain BTHP bullets will work well in a Garand but I've found that the Sierra 175 grain MK will give the best performance. I also really like the Nosler 165 grain BT. 4895 is considered the standard powder but any number of others work well also; 4064, Varget, etc. Don't use 4350 or similar slow burning powders, they can dammage the Garand's gas system. __________________ Let not the rifles of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots. - Fortes Fortuna Javat -

05-15-2009, 11:45 AM	#10
firewrench044 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ft. Pierce, FL Posts: 14	Re: M1 Garand I to have heard that cast bullets in a garand can cause problems so I have avoided them very good load in my Garands and 1903A3 is-- LC case 155gr Sierra Pala 45.7gr IMR 4895 CCI # 34 Primer COAL -- 3.300

05-15-2009, 12:47 PM	#11
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,715	Re: M1 Garand Most every semi-auto centerfire commercial or military rifle was designed to use jacketed bullets. It seems counter to the design to shoot cast bullets (??). so I don't shoot cast bullets in them. I rarely if ever shoot cast bullets at all. I actually shoot Rainier plated bullets, or Winchester or Remington bulk jacketed bullets in all my handguns to avoid leading up the barrels. I know, there is a very big following of cast bullets and the barrel last longer (it says here?), but I have never had anything but leaded up barrels with raw cast bullets. And with the Garand it makes no sense at all, to me. That's my opinion and yours may differ. LDBennett

05-15-2009, 01:20 PM	#12
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,343	Re: M1 Garand LD, I do agree with you. I shoot a lot of Rainier and Berry's plated bullets, but I do cast bullets for every handgun I shoot and for my 45/70 but would never contemplate shooting any in my Garand. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

05-15-2009, 05:48 PM	#13
Celraysoda Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 17	Re: M1 Garand Thanks for all the advice. I was wary as well but heard a few success stories. Figured it's just not worth it with all the surplus still available to refer to casting for the Garand. I'll look for the Sierra Palma, it will be difficult in my area but there is always mail order.... -Thanks.