M1 Garand Reloading

Hi everyone, just starting a thread that will keep all of the milsurp guys entertained.

I have loaded for my M1 Garand before, but I’m always looking to expand my knowledge base, and I curious as to how everyone else is gathering their data. Previously I was just using Nosler load data at the time and have now officially shot the last of that ammo. I have the Hornady 10th, have copies everything from “Master Po”, and the old NRA article from the 80’s. I have a stash of HXP, and commercial brass, and was curious to what everyone else was doing.

IMR 4895 for powder , Bullets from 147 to 168 grain, and mostly commercial brass but do have a batch of LC match brass for when I want to get serious. I wish I could get some of the 173 grain bullets LC used to use in their match ammo, nothing shot like them.

Awesome that’s my general practice as well, I have a box of the 173gr match ammo from 1967 left, but I’m saving that just as a collector item. I shot some if it years ago, and my rifle just liked standard M2 ball better. I also have a bandolier of M2AP with a TW53 headstamp, supposed to be the first safe year as far as corrosive primers go. I had considered working up a load using 175SMK’s but figured it wouldn’t be worth it because of how the rifle shot with the 173 match ammo. The rifle also really liked 150 and 168 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips.

I got my info from the CMP forum post, Hornady book, that NRA article you mentioned and worked up several. For the 300 yd shooting I do, 150FMJBT, Hornady typically, with 46 gr of IMR4895 or 4064 is great. I use LC or HXP brass. I do not crimp, never seen a need. I load close to the lands. As with most semi-autos, I full length resize. CCI200 primers

Stew, what are you loading for your Sweedes? I used to do well in matches shooting 120 grain SMKs(mostly because everyone says the Sweedes do not shoot them well) . Lately I have been loading Nosler CC 140 grain over IMR4831

Sorry everyone, I should’ve named this M1 Garand reloading, and not Mil Surp, my bad.

I fixed the title for you :)

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Originally Posted by RogerT

Sorry everyone, I should’ve named this M1 Garand reloading, and not Mil Surp, my bad.

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Thanks Wes!


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Originally Posted by Wolfdog

Stew, what are you loading for your Sweedes?

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I’ll start a new thread on 6.5x55 later tonight

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Originally Posted by Stew15948

I’ll start a new thread on 6.5x55 later tonight

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Awesome. I don’t have one, but I look forward to reading about it.


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48 gr of IMR 4895 under a 150 gr fmj bullet is the M2 ball load.

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Originally Posted by RonW

48 gr of IMR 4895 under a 150 gr fmj bullet is the M2 ball load.

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Close for me. I found that 49 grains of 4895 replicated the M2 ball ballistics in my Garand.

I use 47gr of IMR 4064, a 150gr boat tail using brass from all the milsurp I bought from the CMP, it’s a mix of LC and HXP.
Great target shooting round.

We used to use 168smks or 175smks and imr 4895 or 4064 depending on what we had and only used the 175s past 600yds. I dont know why everyone loves the old 173s I have about 1000 of them and they're not terrible just inconsistent in weight anywhere from 172 to 177 gr.

I use 48 grains of IMR 4895 and a 150 fmj for general shooting, haven't tried any accuracy loads in my Grand

Any Varget users for their Garands?

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Originally Posted by Wolfdog

IMR 4895 for powder , Bullets from 147 to 168 grain, and mostly commercial brass but do have a batch of LC match brass for when I want to get serious. I wish I could get some of the 173 grain bullets LC used to use in their match ammo, nothing shot like them.

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Funny thing you mentioned these projectiles, I went by my LGS this morning and they guy I always deal with was grinning ear to ear, he said I’ve got something for you I found in the back room. Long story short I got 195 of the 173 gr match bullets for $20, I felt like it was a good enough deal I can make great practice ammo if they don’t shoot well.


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Originally Posted by 35Rem

Any Varget users for their Garands?

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I may try it after I get done with my 8LB can of IMR-4064, but if my 308 does better with Varget than it does IMR-4895, I hope to switch to one powder for most of my rifles.


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Originally Posted by 15mitchleis

We used to use 168smks or 175smks and imr 4895 or 4064 depending on what we had and only used the 175s past 600yds. I dont know why everyone loves the old 173s I have about 1000 of them and they're not terrible just inconsistent in weight anywhere from 172 to 177 gr.

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I weighed a bunch of those 173 pulls too, and got exactly that spread. When I shot Service Rifle class High Power with the Garand we used SMK 180s for 600 yards; the 175s weren't out yet. You could try them if the 175s don't work.

Can't read a thread like this without reminding; CMP used to sell all the parts for M1s and had run OUT of operating rods by the time I got into M1s in the early 80s. Stick with the faster burning powders
so the pressure peak occurs early and dissipates before the bullet clears the gas port just behind the front sight. Slow burning powders peak later and a slammed op rod will bend badly.

I should have searched before I made my thread the other day.....

I am working up a load for 155 nossler cc with 4064. The goal is just a 100 yard plinker with decent accuracy. The rifle will not be shot much. My grandfather used one in the Marine Corps and he loves handling it when he comes over. I want to get him shooting it again. Has anyone messed with reduced loads? His shoulder can't take much anymore.

No experience with reduced loads. The trick will ne similar to AR tuning...operate the system w/o battering it.
If you don't find something online, consider cushioning his shoulder?

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