New member, new M1 Garand shooter

halfthrottle · Mar 1, 2011

Greetings from N.D. I'am a gun nut that shoots pellet rifle and pistol in the winter
and target rifle and trap in the summer. I have just aquired a M1 Garand and plan to do some open sight shooting. I have done a lot of reloading for bolt acton rifles, now
looking into loading for the M1. special powders and primers are recomended, has
any one had a slamfire with regular primers, or should cci #34 primers only be used?
I don't like surprises, or is mil. ball ammo. the way to go?

SAR1846 · Mar 1, 2011

Greetings! I've stuck with Winchester LR primers, and make sure the your primer pockets are cleaned & prepped properly. Also 4895 powder is totally the way to go. Check out culvers shooting page or odcmp for more garand related info.

CavVet · Mar 1, 2011

Ive stuck with CMP ammo and had no surprises.

SAR1846 · Mar 2, 2011

+1!!! If you're not affiliated with a CMP group, do so!! Greek ammo from CMP is well worth the money.

rusobr2 · Mar 2, 2011

welcome to NWF ! looks like your getting around just fine + there's more !!

steven

Blitzkrieg · Mar 2, 2011

When I loaded for my Garand (I sold it years ago) I used W748 powder and it worked great

DCM may still have some good deals on mil surp ammo if you get in line for it

halfthrottle · Mar 3, 2011

SAR1846 said:
Greetings! I've stuck with Winchester LR primers, and make sure the your primer pockets are cleaned & prepped properly. Also 4895 powder is totally the way to go. Check out culvers shooting page or odcmp for more garand related info.

Thanks for the info. and the heads up on culvers shooting page, I spent a whole
evening reading on NW and culvers, just like a good gun show, you run across something and you stop and check it out and visit for a while.

Marine Airedale · Mar 3, 2011

It has been a long time since I handloaded for a M1. Used to shoot high power competions many-many moons ago. If memory serves the beasties do not like powders at the slower end of the scale as they well over pressure the gas system. Anything in the 4895 or W748 burn rates should do just fine. Primers should not be an issue just double check for high ones. M1's are really neat machines ... enjoy!