SmallCaliberCentral

I'm trying to find lighter handload data for the M1 garand , the loading books just list heavier hunting loads .

IIRC, the Garand was developed around the 180-gr bullet.

The Garand is a gas operated semi auto rifle. To cycle it needs a proper gas pressure.

I would hazard a guess that the manuals (most of whom are manufacturers of bullets, and powder), don't develop loads for bullets of less than 150-gr, because they haven't been able to come up with loads for the lighter bullets that will reliably cycle the action on the Garand. That is just a guess, but I'm fairly confident that it is correct.

If you want to play around with it, I would suggest starting with the slower powders. But be cautious of bullets left in the barrel, and be prepared for lots of problems with it cycling.

Everything I'm finding says to use IMR 4895 somewhere around 47 grs. with 150 to 165 gr. bullets , just trying to confirm the data . Iv'e been told that the 13th edition speer book has data specifically for the M1 garand , if anyone has a copy please let me know what there data is.

The Hornady manual has a seperate section for the Garand.

The lightest they list is the 150-gr bullets. For them they list 43.2-gr min, and 46.4-gr max, of H4895, not IMR data.

For the 168-gr bullets, they list 39.8-gr to 46.4-gr max of H4895, and 39.6-gr to 47.1-gr max, of IMR 4895.

For the 178-gr bullets, they list 38.2-gr to 46.4-gr max of H4895, and 39.8-gr to 46.1-gr max, of IMR 4895.

Thanks BB , But that data isn't consistent with what I have been finding ??? Wonder why the variation ? 47grs. IMR 4895 with most bullets 150 gr. to 165 gr. but I would think there would have to be a difference in powder weight for the difference in bullet weight like your manuel says .Thanks for taking the time to look that up.

Don't know why there would be a difference. Possibly, the newer pressure barrels are more accurate, at determining the actual pressure, and older manuals are a little hot, based on erroneously low pressure data.

Here's what I use.

168gr Sierra Match King HPBT, Winchester WLR primer,3.340 from tip to base OAL
46.5gr IMR 4895 (To cycle)
45.6gr IMR 4895 (for accuracy,loading one at a time)
45.9gr IMR 4046 (for accuracy)

150gr Sierra Match King HPBT, WLR primer,3.200 OAL.
50.4gr IMR 4895 (to cycle)
48.4gr IMR 4895 (for accuracy)
51.2gr IMR 4046 (to cycle)
49.6gr IMR 4046 (for accuracy)