Loading for Garand

[Bubba]

I'm working up a load for my Garand and I need some input. I'm still in the experimentation stage, trying different components. Right now I'm working with a 165gr BTSP over Varget. My Hornady manual and the Hodgdon load data more or less agree for a general .30-06, with a max load 49.4gr @2800fps (Hornady) or 50.5gr @2875fps (Hodgdon). The Garand section of Hornady doesn't have a 165gr projectile, but the max load for a 168gr projectile is 47.0gr, the same as the starting load for .30-06 in general. I'm having trust issues with my Hornady manual (loads are given for a range of projectile weights instead of specific weights, pressures aren't listed at all, plus it reads like an advertisement), so I'm at a loss of whether 47gr should be my min or max load.

I know the Garand has some special considerations with pressure at the gas port being as important or more than maximum pressure. I'm keeping the maximum pressure (according to Hodgdon) well below what I've seen listed for M2 ball so I'm not really concerned about barrel integrity, but how to know whether a load will damage the op rod? Most of the discussions I find online end up quoting an Army TM that is apparently wrong. Anyone got any solid resources on Garand loads or favorite recipes to share?

 

[Yeah]

47 grains of Varget under a 165 Hornady 3045 looks like a start load to me. Roughly 41k chamber pressure per Quickload, 2550fps.

50.5gr would put you at 49.600psi and 2720fps, again per QL.

If you want a pressure by barrel length curve I can post one.

 

[03A3]

I'm looking at possibly the same Hornady manual you are, the 7th edition.
My 2 cents is I personally would stick to the Garand specific loads.
I don't have acces to pressure curves ect so I'm relying on Hornady to have already done that work for us.
It's a Garand, it is what it is and I wouldn't push my luck by using bolt gun load data.

 

[Leadeye]

For reliable operation I have used IMR 3031 or WW 748 for years.

 

[sloughfoot]

For a 165 hunting bullet, I use 47 grains of IMR4064, IMR 4895, or RL-15. As you know, these are max loads in the Hornady Service Rifle reloading manual. And they work fine with military brass.

There is no reason why 47 grain of Varget shouldn't work just as well.

For matches, I use 45 grains of any of the above powders and a 155 SMK.

IMO, you shouldn't use bolt gun loads in the Garand. They are too hot and not really needed.

 

[Yeah]

I run mine at 50k chamber pressure with H335, which is slightly faster than Varget but likely not enough to matter much.

Though I don't shoot it much.

ie - I don't see anything between 47 and 50.5 grain of Varget with a Hornady 3045 beating it up. I'd push a bolt gun far harder.

 

[03A3]

Hornady lists 49.4 grains of Vargent as max with the 165-168 gr. bullets.
That's for a bolt gun.
While they don't have the 3045 in the Garand data, they do have two 168 gr. bullets with a max load Vargent @ 47.0 grains.
If you want to load 50.5 grains of Vargent in your Garand more power to you but you probably need go over on the CMP forum and find the contact info for the guy that repairs bent op rods.

 

[Bubba]

Thanks for the input so far. I'd be more willing to push a higher chamber pressure with a faster powder. A powder charge that has a slower burn may have a lower peak pressure but a higher pressure at the gas port compared to a faster burning powder. I guess I just need to either get over my trust issues with Hornady or stop messing around and just recreate the M2 load.

 

[03A3]

I would go with the Hornady data. I don't see any reason to try to reinvent the wheel when there is decades of load data out there now. Below is what I scrounged up real quick. I don't see Vargent listed there but there is a lot of other good, proven data.

Recommended .30 caliber M1 loadings from the NRA

147 - 155 grain FMJ or HPBT bullets

IMR 3031 - 48.0 grains
IMR 4895 - 49.0 grains
IMR 4064 - 50.0 grains
W748 - 48.0 grains
AA2460 - 49.0 grains
AA2520 - 51.0 grains
AA2495 - 50.5 grains
H4895 - 49.0 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 49.0 grains
RL-12 - 48.0 grains

165/168 grain FMJ, HP or SP bullets

IMR 4895 - 47.0 grains
IMR 4094 - 48.0 grains
AA2520 - 47.5 grains
AA2495 - 47.0 grains
H4895 - 47.5 grains
BLC-2 - 49.0 grains
H335 - 47.0 grains
RL-12 - 44.5 grains

173/175 grain FMJ or HPBT bullets

IMR 4895 - 46.0 grains
IMR 4064 - 47.0 grains
AA2460 - 46.0 grains
AA2495 - 46.0 grains
H4895 - 47.0 grains
BLC-2 - 48.0 grains