IMR substitutes?

[Ponder_MD]

Hi all,

I'm looking to reload some M2 ball. I've found the lead but having trouble finding powder in stock anywhere.

Is there a safe, quality substitute for IMR 4895 or 4064?

I'm only looking to reload 100 rounds, that's all the brass I have. If anyone has any IMR they'd be willing to share, I'll happily pay you.

Many thanks.

 

[ken792]

Reloder 15, 17, and 19. Signal Hill Supply in Manassas had them before they closed their location. I don’t know where their inventory is being stored.

Shooter’s World Match Rifle (same as AA2520) is supposed to be a very close substitute to IMR 4895, but a ball powder. Their Precision Rifle is supposed to be very close to Varget. Both are popular with European shooters in their original Lovex branding.

 

[Seabee]

Accurate sells A-4064 but I’m sure there isn’t much around.
Ken, match rifle and 2520 are not the same powder. They are similar burn rates but 2520 is made in USA and match rifle made in Czech Republic. One of my rifles preferred precision rifle over varget

 

[cotman68]

Hi all,

I'm looking to reload some M2 ball. I've found the lead but having trouble finding powder in stock anywhere.

Is there a safe, quality substitute for IMR 4895 or 4064?

I'm only looking to reload 100 rounds, that's all the brass I have. If anyone has any IMR they'd be willing to share, I'll happily pay you.

Many thanks.

I’d be willing to trade you a pound of 4895. What powders do you have ?

 

[Biggfoot44]

AA # 2460,2495, Big Game
IMR #4955, 7977, 8133
Alliant # 16,19

Are .30-06 class powders in stock right now @ J&E @ HoCo show , at close to pre panic prices . ( also had RL-15 , 17 earlier , but sold out). More faster and slower powders , but concentrated on .30-06 speed .

 

[Rockzilla]

W748
H4895

http://www.provenreloads-handloads..../30-06-springfield-part-2-service-rifle-loads

or...
http://bearblain.com/Service Rifle Loadings.html

or....
https://www.handloadermagazine.com/m1-garand-handloads


-Rock

 

[Park ranger]

Do yourself a favor, if your going to all the headaches to reload. Dont use crappy FMJ pills. Put a good bullet on top of the 45-50 grain charge of whatever medium burn rate powder you pick.

 

[Rockzilla]

Do yourself a favor, if your going to all the headaches to reload. Dont use crappy FMJ pills. Put a good bullet on top of the 45-50 grain charge of whatever medium burn rate powder you pick.

exactly....
use Sierra's and Berger's in the NM Garand

If you use 150' like mentioned above don't "cheap-out"

-Rock

 

[Biggfoot44]

Make your handloads worthy of your primers '

 

[JamesDong]

I'm using H335 for my NON Garand 06 rounds, works great.

 

[Ponder_MD]

exactly....
use Sierra's and Berger's in the NM Garand

If you use 150' like mentioned above don't "cheap-out"

-Rock

Sierra is out of stock where I've looked.

 

[Seagrave1963]

Reloder 15, 17, and 19. Signal Hill Supply in Manassas had them before they closed their location. I don’t know where their inventory is being stored.

Shooter’s World Match Rifle (same as AA2520) is supposed to be a very close substitute to IMR 4895, but a ball powder. Their Precision Rifle is supposed to be very close to Varget. Both are popular with European shooters in their original Lovex branding.

I've been using the Precision Rifle in 308 loads and it works well - goes bang every time and consistent patterns. I don't have a chrono, but I've been very pleased with how it performs.

 

[Pinecone]

Lot's of choices.

But keep looking for good bullets. 150 FMJ are not that accurate.

 

[Jerry M]

I question whether Reloader 17 & 19 are safe for an M1? Seems very slow to me.

 

[Park ranger]

I question whether Reloader 17 & 19 are safe for an M1? Seems very slow to me.

I agree, to the extent that they are too slow for optimal op rod longevity. Properly loaded the m1 receiver is strong. I broke an op rod with m2 ball ammo. So it happens, but it was an uncut op rod so kinda no surprise.

 

[Pinecone]

Rule of thumb is no faster than IMR 3031 and no slower than IMR 4064


REAL answer, get some loading manuals and look at published loads.

If you run any other loads, you run the risk of damaging your Op Rod. They may work, they may damage your rifle. Your choice.

 

[Medusa Joe]

Hi all,

I'm looking to reload some M2 ball. I've found the lead but having trouble finding powder in stock anywhere.

Is there a safe, quality substitute for IMR 4895 or 4064?

I'm only looking to reload 100 rounds, that's all the brass I have. If anyone has any IMR they'd be willing to share, I'll happily pay you.

Many thanks.

if you ever make it back to our shop, I have some IMR 4064 to pass to you. I too use it for M1 garand reloads.

 

[Ponder_MD]

if you ever make it back to our shop, I have some IMR 4064 to pass to you. I too use it for M1 garand reloads.

Perfect, count me in.

 

[boule]

I'm looking to reload some M2 ball. I've found the lead but having trouble finding powder in stock anywhere.

One of the often ignored powders would be N140 by Vitavouri. If you want to replicate the M2 for the Garand, N150 might be the better way to go (see Hornady reloading handbook)

 

[JoeRinMD]

I'm looking to reload some M2 ball. I've found the lead but having trouble finding powder in stock anywhere.

Is there a safe, quality substitute for IMR 4895 or 4064?

Another good one is Hodgdon Varget. It's highly versatile, able to power rounds from 22-250 all the way up to .375 H&H. Unfortunately because it can be used so broadly, finding it can be difficult, even without the current situation.

https://hodgdon.com/varget/#:~:text=Varget%20is%20an%20extruded%20propellant,of%20Extreme%20series%20of%20powders.&text=The%20powder%20ignites%20quickly%20and,heavy%20bullets%20in%20competitive%20matches.

On the CMP forum, here's one of the recipes posted:

For 150 gr.:

47 gr. Varget,
Hornady FMJBT,
CCI-34.

Duplicates M2 Ball ballistics.

Of course you should work up your load to be safe, but this one comes in the middle of the range in the Hodgdon online that notes a Starting Load of 46 gr. and a Max Load of 49.5 gr.

JoeR