Garand Load Development

[Rregdab]

I need some advice on developing a load for my Garand. I’ll be using H4895, No34 primers and Sierra 155gr MK bullets ‘cause that’s what I have…

My manual recommends a starting load of 46gr.

My planned approach is to load one with 43.5gr (approx 5% below min) fill a clip with it on top, take it out back and let her rip to see if it properly cycles. If it does, load 8 at that level and if they all cycle stop at 43.5 and go with that. If any problems, up the load to 4% below min and repeat the trials. Keep increasing the load until all 9 cycle.

Does this sound life a reasonable approach? I’d appreciate any constructive input.
Thanks

 

[stu929]

Reasonable but you will waste a lot of bullets. I usually load 3-5 per charge and check them for pressure and move to the next step. At the starting loads I typically only load 1/2 as they will likely not be where you find your accuracy and I load 1/2 to test for pressure and cycling.

Take a bunch of targets and find the load that works best for your rifle. If I had a guess it would be somewhere between 46.5-47.5. As always work up your own load.

To save yourself some money keep an eye out for nosler custom comps in 155 they are cheaper and all my garands and 1903A3 love them.

 

[IndispensableDestiny]

Why not get a "single load enhancement device" (SLED) for your Garand?

 

[Pinecone]

Normally, you should not start below the minimum loads listed. They are minimum for a reason.

That said, the minimum load differs from manual to manual, so it can't be that hard set.

You might want to join or at least look over on the CMP forums, where the discuss a LOT of Garand stuff.

http://forums.thecmp.org/index.php

It seems the loads are in the 46 - 49 grain range for 150-155 range bullets.

 

[Topher]

I shot 46 gr. of H 4895 on 150 gr. Hornady FMJ BT bullets.
Works fine on my Garand, 1903A3, 1917, and my BAR.

Chris

 

[alucard0822]

You have to be careful you are using Garand data and not commercial 30-06 data, especially if you are reloading thicker(less volume/higher pressure) military brass. Hornady has a range of 43.2-46.4 with H4895 in the Garand section under 150-155gr bullets. It's one of the more popular powders, so lots of data, some have up to a 48gr max for garand loads and that's the limit of what I would even try(commercial 30-06 data can have a max over 50gr). The original M2 ball ammo was about 2750-2800fps with a 150gr FMJ in LC brass, 46.5gr of H4895 matches that for me with a CCI LR primer, functions perfect, and is about as accurate as I can get.

 

[Rregdab]

Reasonable but you will waste a lot of bullets. I usually load 3-5 per charge and check them for pressure and move to the next step. At the starting loads I typically only load 1/2 as they will likely not be where you find your accuracy and I load 1/2 to test for pressure and cycling.

Take a bunch of targets and find the load that works best for your rifle. If I had a guess it would be somewhere between 46.5-47.5. As always work up your own load.

To save yourself some money keep an eye out for nosler custom comps in 155 they are cheaper and all my garands and 1903A3 love them.

Yea, lot of wasted high end bullets. I'm a "show me the data" guy but 3-5 will be sufficient.
I see that MidSouth has the Nosler 155 CCs in stock.

Why not get a "single load enhancement device" (SLED) for your Garand?

Interesting little device.

You have to be careful you are using Garand data and not commercial 30-06 data, especially if you are reloading thicker(less volume/higher pressure) military brass. Hornady has a range of 43.2-46.4 with H4895 in the Garand section under 150-155gr bullets. It's one of the more popular powders, so lots of data, some have up to a 48gr max for garand loads and that's the limit of what I would even try(commercial 30-06 data can have a max over 50gr). The original M2 ball ammo was about 2750-2800fps with a 150gr FMJ in LC brass, 46.5gr of H4895 matches that for me with a CCI LR primer, functions perfect, and is about as accurate as I can get.

Good info. Especially the Grand specific data which seems to validate my planned starting load.

Thanks folks.

 

[8milimeter]

155 loads

Go to http://www.njhighpower.com/

Select : Reloading Stuph

At the bottom of the page is a section for 30-06 service rifle loads.

My match Garand load for the 155's is 48.0g Varget CCI34 HXP brass.

 

[rdc]

Go to http://www.njhighpower.com/

Select : Reloading Stuph

At the bottom of the page is a section for 30-06 service rifle loads.

My match Garand load for the 155's is 48.0g Varget CCI34 HXP brass.

Is that the load you use that doesn't fully cycle the action? "light load?"

 

[stu929]

Is that the load you use that doesn't fully cycle the action? "light load?"

Thats def a full power load, im a little lighter with 4895 also full power. Great bullets for the price though

 

[8milimeter]

Garand Load

Is that the load you use that doesn't fully cycle the action? "light load?"

"No", this is a service rifle load for 200,300,600 yards
48g Varget with a 155 is the absolute Max for Garand.

I only use low velocity loads at 100 yards. I tried them at 200 and my accuracy dropped drastically.

 

[byf43]

Go to http://www.njhighpower.com/

Select : Reloading Stuph

At the bottom of the page is a section for 30-06 service rifle loads.

My match Garand load for the 155's is 48.0g Varget CCI34 HXP brass.

Thanks for posting that site!!!
I don't remember ever seeing that, before.

Very good information, there.

 

[Rregdab]

Go to http://www.njhighpower.com/

Select : Reloading Stuph

At the bottom of the page is a section for 30-06 service rifle loads.

My match Garand load for the 155's is 48.0g Varget CCI34 HXP brass.

I'd also like to thank 8mm. There's some very interesting data on chamber and primer sizes on that site.