Reloading 06's for an M-1 Garand.......
Is there any particular pecularities that need to be addressed? Any specific hints or advice would be appreciated.....Thanks in Advance!
I Miss The World I Grew Up In!
I Miss The World I Grew Up In!
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Yes, there are a few.
First, you have to break in your loading equipment. Then you take this chicken, wait till the moon is full, - - you fill in the rest, Saxon.
I too miss the world I grew up in.0 -
Damn! ..... I knew that part already.......But What Else????? Hahahahaha!
I Miss The World I Grew Up In!0 -
Some die manufactures make what are called "Small Base" sizeing dies, specifically for reloading cartridges that were originally fired in semi-auto rifles.
Because the lock-up of a semi-auto isn't as positive as a bolt action due to various factors, sometimes you HAVE to use these dies for resizeing your brass, or you'll run into problems.
Years ago, I had a first generation Bushmaster that required the use of these dies if you wanted to feed it reloads.
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Check back issues of Handloader and American Rifleman for articles on loading for the M1 Garand. The one point they stressed was that the pressure curve is more critical on this rifle. There is a slight chance of bending the op-rod with to quick a burning powder.
Steve0 -
Actually the danger to the Op rod sems to lie in using slow burning powders as they create too much gas for the system to handle. fast powders create too little gas to cycle the action. Powders arround the speed of 4895 or Varget seem to be the choice. I have had good luck with standard RCBS dies in my Garand.
My border collie is smarter than your honor student.0 -
Just make sure you full length size, and that your dies are correctly inserted (I use Lee RGB dies, no problems) So far as powder, use some faster than IMR 4320 and slower than IMR 3031. You may or may not also need the CCI 34 milspec primer. Reduce loads by a grain or two off the max if you use surplus brass for reloading.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
If you are reloading USGI ammo, you will probably need to swage the primer pocket the first time you reload the case.
Neal0 -
i would avoid any bullet wieght over 180 grains. try to steer clear of the heavy comercial loads, and bullets. BROWNELLS sells a device that replaces the gas plug, and allows you to make adjustments to safely shoot heavier than normal loads.
i witnessed a gent attempt to fire 220 gr barnes solids backed with a MAX powder load in his GARAND, and parts broke.
WINCHESTER makes a 147 gr FMJ / ball round that i have done well with. if you are up to it, pulled or surplus AP (black paint point) are highly accuratte. the "old hands" of highpower match shooting swear they are more consistant.
best regards, mike.
What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.0 -
You can buy pulled 150 gr M2 bullets that came out of US military 30-06 ammo. I have loaded a lot of these for my M1. I get mine from Widener's in Tenn. 0 -
Neither I nor any of my buddies use or have felt any need for small base dies.I have used 3031, 4064, 2230 and surplus powder from pulled down 308. All work well. I DO NOT use maximum loads.
Morty
Have fun, be careful!0 -
I use RCBS small base dies for hunting ammo in BARs in 7mmRM, '06 and .338 Win Mag, 742 in '06 and BLR in .308 because it's recommended. I know the brass gets worked a little more, doesn't last as long, but I load them all with regular dies for the ammo for busting rocks and targets and have never had any of them fail to work.
I just want to be a little more confident that the thing's going to work when shooting at animals.
I would suggest that you work your loads UP to where the M1 cycles and don't go for anything hotter.
I'm one person that's actually seen an M1 disintegrate. The guy had mixed 3 of his 30-06 powders. It spread the action open, tore off one locking lug, threw shrapnel everywhere. We found the cartridge head on the ground and some other parts in his left arm and chest.
That's probably a severe example, but seeing is believing and worrying about.0 -
The original load for the MI was 48 grains of IMR-4895 and a 150 grain flat base spitzer bullet, all seated to an overall length of 3.34 inches. Richbug is right, do not use slow burning powder as you are sure to bend the op rod. Mrmike is also right don't use bullets over 180 grains in weight. The MI, just like all other gas operated firearms, was designed around a specific load and you can not stray to far one way or the other and still have everything work. 0 -
Thanks All! Appreciate the help!
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