M1 Garand, suggestions

chefbq · Apr 14, 2016

Good News: have a 1954 HRA Garand en route. Super clean with cosmoline in protected areas.
Bad News: shot up all the Greek mil-surp 10 years ago on the Garand I shouldn't have sold.

So, with the 40s vintage mil brass I have acquired, any suggestions on a tame bullet/powder/primer combination to get started. Have read a few older posts and have followed the advice of IMR 4895 as a starter; seems to make sense with a Sierra Match King 168 gr. BTHP as the closest thing to a military load.
I would appreciate any insights you fellows would have to reduce my learning curve.
To say I'm excited about putting this piece of genius to my shoulder is an understatement.
Thanks.

415DET · Apr 16, 2016

46.5 grains of IMR 4064 or 46.5 of Varget under a 168 with CCI 34 primers loaded to 3.30 OAL. IMR 4064 is available everywhere, and for my Garand, has been more accurate than Varget.

Ted

dlurvey · Apr 16, 2016

I've found good results with 47 gns of IMR 4895 with the Sierra 168 HPBT MK.

chefbq · Apr 16, 2016

Excellent, thank you gentlemen.

Velzey · Apr 16, 2016

If you handload for the M1, I would highly recommend the Schuster adjustable gas plug. It reduces battering on the operating rod, bolt lugs, and receiver. And it takes the kick out of the recoil. Not that the recoil is bad anyway...

Modeler · Apr 16, 2016

I know this isn't reloading, and it's more expensive than the surplus you used to shoot, but the CMP still has surplus ammo available.

<broken link removed>

HotRod61 · May 6, 2016

I run a different load than most. I got more than 10+ reloads out of my brass. I run 47.4 gr of H4895 Hornaday 150 gr fmjbt WLR primers. Coal around 3.300
Your rifle most likely is different.
Always start low and work your loads up.

Can't believe that more M1 shooters haven't chimed in.
Good luck and have fun.

HotRod

Mark W. · May 7, 2016

Yea buy a new reloading book and look up the loads listed specifically for the M1

Hornady and Serria and I believe Speer all have specific loads for the M1 Garand

ma96782 · Jun 4, 2016

Google: Master Po's reloading recommendations for the M1.

Aloha, Mark

F2CMaDMaXX · Jun 7, 2016

To add to the gas plug suggestion, there is a better one available that is 'set', no adjustment or worry re what pressure you're running, it's technically and scientifically sound.

Modeler · Jun 8, 2016

F2CMaDMaXX said:
To add to the gas plug suggestion, there is a better one available that is 'set', no adjustment or worry re what pressure you're running, it's technically and scientifically sound.

And that gas plug is?