Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/19/2010 4:29:42 PM EDT
|
So I just got in a box of 500 SMK 168gr HPBT and am eager to try them in my CMP M1. Up until now, I have shot HXP M2 Ball, so no need to worry about the cartridge load. I also installed a Schuster gas plug to make shooting more flexible. It is actually sorta nice to leave the plug all the way open and shoot the M1 like a bolt gun. My question is, since I have a Schuster adjustable gas plug, I'm pretty safe to reload some 30-06 to a wide range, right? I assume with any load, I start out with the gas plug at full open, and turn in the plug screw until the gas system starts functioning, and then note that position for that particular load? My first load will probably be a standard load from my Lee guide. CCI LR primer, cleaned up HXP case, 168gr SMK, and around 46-47gr of Varget. (conveniently, this is around double the amount of varget I use with my 55gr plinking loads in .223). I also picked up some 145gr FMJ .308 bullets from Wideners. I know the M1 has been proven around the 150gr+ weights, but I figure for plinking loads, I'm going to spend as little as I can on bullets. Anyone have good load information for this bullet weight? Thanks. |
|
Try this............. From “The M1 Rifle” page 18 published by the NRA Reloads for the M1 Rifle I want to reload ammunition for my MI Rifle. Other shooters tell me to be careful in my selection of components for the incorrect ones can damage the rifle. What should I choose? What should I avoid? Why? Answer: The warnings you have been given are good ones. Though it is a rugged, piece of equipment, the MI Rifle has an "Achilles heel"; its long, slender operating rod. Operating rods can be bent to the point of uselessness if continually subjected to propellant gas pressures that are too high. Such too-high pressures are usually the result of either too-heavy bullets or too slow burning powder, or both. In military service, over the several decades that the MI was either our primary or an important secondary arm, this potential fragility of the operating rod was not a problem. Ammunition for the rifle was developed and loaded that did not cause overly high pressure to be exerted against the operating rod, and so did not damage it. Handloaders, however, can choose combinations of components that will cause damage. For best results, use powders faster than IMR 4320, and bullets of 180 grains weight, or lighter. Suggested loading data for .30-'06 ammunition in MI Rifles follows: 147/150-gr. bullets - either FMJ or HPBT IMR 3031 48.0 grs. IMR 4895 49.0 grs. IMR 4064 50.0 grs. Win 748 Ball 48.0 grs. Acc AA2460 49.0 grs. AccAA2520 51.0grs. Acc 2495BR 50.5 grs. Hod H-4895 49.0 grs. Hod BL-C2 49.0 grs. Hod H-335 49.0 grs. Herc Re-12 48.0grs. 165/168-gr. bullets - either SP, HP, or FMJ IMR 4895 47.0 grs. IMR 4064 48.0 grs. Acc AA2520 47.5 grs. Acc 2495BR 47.0 grs. Hod H-4895 47.5 grs. Hod BL-C2 49.0 grs. Hod H-335 47.0 grs. Herc Re-12 44.5 grs. 173/175-gr.bullets-M72 or MII8 : IMR 4895 46.0 grs. IMR 4064 47.0 grs. Acc AA2460 46.0 grs. Acc 2495BR 46.0 grs. Hod H-4895 47.0 grs. Hod BL-C2 48.0 grs. 180-gr. bullets - either SP, HP, or FMJ IMR 4895 43.0 grs. Acc AA2460 46.5 grs. Acc 2495BR 45.5 grs. Hod H-4895 44.0 grs. Hod BL-C2 47.5 grs. Herc RE-12 41.5 grs. The charges listed are meant to approximate the performance of military ammunition using commercial reloading components, including cases. In no circumstance should any charge weight be increased. If military surplus cases are used, charges should be reduced by 1.5 grs. to start. Loads using tubular-grained powders such as IMR propellants do well if primed with conventional large rifle primers (Federal, CCI or Remington). Loads using powders such as BL-C2, AA2460 or AA2520 and Win. "Ball" are best primed with Winchester's WLR primer or possibly a "magnum" primer from another component manufacturer. I hope this helps; this book is about $5 from the NRA bookstore and contains a lot of useful information.The Hornady Reloading manual has a loading section just for the Garand. Posted by:jdefilippo (at the CMP forum) Aloha, Mark PS.........OK so you said that you have 145 gr bullets. So, why not try your reloading manual data and use the same powders (mentioned here) only with the "correct" drop weight for the 145 gr. bullet. |
|
Quoted:
Try this............. From “The M1 Rifle” page 18 published by the NRA
Reloads for the M1 Rifle I want to reload ammunition for my MI Rifle. Other shooters tell me to be careful in my selection of components for the incorrect ones can damage the rifle. What should I choose? What should I avoid? Why? Answer: The warnings you have been given are good ones. Though it is a rugged, piece of equipment, the MI Rifle has an "Achilles heel"; its long, slender operating rod. Operating rods can be bent to the point of uselessness if continually subjected to propellant gas pressures that are too high. Such too-high pressures are usually the result of either too-heavy bullets or too slow burning powder, or both. In military service, over the several decades that the MI was either our primary or an important secondary arm, this potential fragility of the operating rod was not a problem. Ammunition for the rifle was developed and loaded that did not cause overly high pressure to be exerted against the operating rod, and so did not damage it. Handloaders, however, can choose combinations of components that will cause damage. For best results, use powders faster than IMR 4320, and bullets of 180 grains weight, or lighter. Suggested loading data for .30-'06 ammunition in MI Rifles follows: 147/150-gr. bullets - either FMJ or HPBT IMR 3031 48.0 grs. IMR 4895 49.0 grs. IMR 4064 50.0 grs. Win 748 Ball 48.0 grs. Acc AA2460 49.0 grs. AccAA2520 51.0grs. Acc 2495BR 50.5 grs. Hod H-4895 49.0 grs. Hod BL-C2 49.0 grs. Hod H-335 49.0 grs. Herc Re-12 48.0grs. 165/168-gr. bullets - either SP, HP, or FMJ IMR 4895 47.0 grs. IMR 4064 48.0 grs. Acc AA2520 47.5 grs. Acc 2495BR 47.0 grs. Hod H-4895 47.5 grs. Hod BL-C2 49.0 grs. Hod H-335 47.0 grs. Herc Re-12 44.5 grs. 173/175-gr.bullets-M72 or MII8 : IMR 4895 46.0 grs. IMR 4064 47.0 grs. Acc AA2460 46.0 grs. Acc 2495BR 46.0 grs. Hod H-4895 47.0 grs. Hod BL-C2 48.0 grs. 180-gr. bullets - either SP, HP, or FMJ IMR 4895 43.0 grs. Acc AA2460 46.5 grs. Acc 2495BR 45.5 grs. Hod H-4895 44.0 grs. Hod BL-C2 47.5 grs. Herc RE-12 41.5 grs. The charges listed are meant to approximate the performance of military ammunition using commercial reloading components, including cases. In no circumstance should any charge weight be increased. If military surplus cases are used, charges should be reduced by 1.5 grs. to start. Loads using tubular-grained powders such as IMR propellants do well if primed with conventional large rifle primers (Federal, CCI or Remington). Loads using powders such as BL-C2, AA2460 or AA2520 and Win. "Ball" are best primed with Winchester's WLR primer or possibly a "magnum" primer from another component manufacturer. I hope this helps; this book is about $5 from the NRA bookstore and contains a lot of useful information.The Hornady Reloading manual has a loading section just for the Garand. Posted by:jdefilippo (at the CMP forum) Aloha, Mark PS.........OK so you said that you have 145 gr bullets. So, why not try your reloading manual data and use the same powders (mentioned here) only with the "correct" drop weight for the 145 gr. bullet. Hey guys, I'm looking at the Hornady reloading book 7th ed and it seems to conflict with the NRA. For H335, and 150gr to 155gr bullets it starts at 36.9 and ends at 46.4. I'm new so I'm sure I'm missing something.... |
|
Quoted: Hey guys, I'm looking at the Hornady reloading book 7th ed and it seems to conflict with the NRA. For H335, and 150gr to 155gr bullets it starts at 36.9 and ends at 46.4. I'm new so I'm sure I'm missing something.... NOT ALL BULLETS ARE MADE THE SAME. Various mfn and reloading manuals have the caution (like this one from Speer).......... IMPORTANT NOTE: Reloading data published by SPEER are for SPEER bullets. Many of our bullets are of unique construction; there is no such thing as "generic loading data" any more. Other bullet makes may produce significantly different pressures and velocities. We make no warranty that our published loads are safe with another make of bullet. You, the reloader, bear the ultimate responsibility for knowing your firearm, loading equipment, and techniques. There are many more warnings about reloading. Aloha, Mark PS..........this might give you a better idea............. 1. Always use loading data published by a reputable component manufacturer. Your brother-in-law is a nice guy but, statistically, he's not likely to be a professional ballistician. 2. Never start with a maximum load. Always begin with the starting load and work toward the maximum in increments, testing at each step. This provides you with a safety margin in case of some undiscovered change in the components. Component manufacturers strive to maintain lot-to-lot uniformity, but some variance may occur over time. 3. Always use the latest data for your cartridge. Over long periods of time. components may change. Using the latest recommendation insures that your loads reflect current technology and standards. 4. If new to the art and practice of reloading, use only moderate loads until you gain experience with the cartridge, your firearm, and your loading equipment. 5. Leave experimentation to the professionals. Published data is FACT. It is not a "jumping-off point" for wild experimentation. 6. Never mix propellants. Blending propellants is extremely dangerous and should never be done. 7. Always reduce loads when changing components. Sometimes, you cannot match the exact combination of components that the component company used when developing the load. Drop back to the starting load to build a safe margin for any changes. Taken from Speer’s web site. Anytime, you don't exactly follow what THE BOOK says.......you take a chance. And, you'll note that most books will specify what brand of: brass, primers, bullets, powder (and charge weight)......not to mention what brand of firearm (twist and length of barrel) they used........to OK their load data. Standard advice.....when starting a new load......start low and work your way up. And, bolt gun ammo or load data isn't always O.K. w/ a semi auto. Just making a "minor change" can have an unwanted affect.....maybe even to the point of being DANGEROUS. Read: How do changing various components affect chamber pressure and velocity? ________________________________________________________ And for liability reasons, I'll add.............. Never mix or substitute components. Every lot of powder, primers, bullets, brass, and any other components can differ significantly. Different manufacturer's components differ substantially. For example, never substitute Federal brand primers for Magtech, and expect the same results. One primer may be fine with your load, but another brand may cause extreme pressures with the same load. Don't substitute magnum primers for standard primers for the same reason. Just because two brands of powder have similar characteristics, that does not mean they are interchangeable or mixable. Every time you finish with a lot of a component, you will have to back off the load slightly and start over, checking for overpressure signs, just as you did when you first worked the load up. You are in essence working up a brand new load. Taken from the Magtech web site. ____________________________________ Then..........advice/data/books..........can/will vary. |
Armory Sponsor