I have, he is just traveling right now and i like to get multiple inputs.I highly recommend finding a mentor to get you started.
Thanks!You need 30-06 dies. And lube. It's a long case.
I found 30-06 very easy to reload for Garand. My go-to is 46gn Varget or the Shooter's World equivalent, and 150gn pulled .308 bullets. It's a mild load, works great. Once in a long while I get a little feed hiccup, which is probably due to seating to cannelure on the .308 bullets. Their profile is a little different from the original M2 bullets.
There's a lot of extra room in the case compared to .308. Several other medium burn powders are available that are known to work great.
One thing you do have to look out for is that the charge range for 30-06 in the book goes a lot higher than you really need or want for a Garand. For some powders, you can hunt around and find M1-specific loadings. If not, just start low, and stop when it's comfortable and runs the gun. If you don't have a chrono, consider picking up some PPU M1 specific ammo and "shoulder dyno" it alongside your reloads.
THIS. VERY different cartridges.Yes, it's worth it. If by 308 you mean 308 Winchester dies, no. You will use .30-06 dies to size, deprime, seat and crimp.
Stop right there.I have, he is just traveling right now and i like to get multiple inputs.
Well My dog passed away and she was awesome. My friend for 15 years.Stop right there.
If you have knowledgeable help, use them. Stop looking for random internet people you know nothing about to tell you how to do stuff they know nothing about. You already have at least one person you KNOW to help you and you have AT LEAST ONE person on this thread who is the most knowledgeable person I KNOW offering you help.
Now how do your sort out the people who don't know squat but slept at a Holiday Inn last night?
With all due respect to your dog, separate the 2 different issues here and pay attention to safety so you don't blow up your rifle in your face. 30-06 dies and a current loading manual is your best friend. Load moderate loads...and wait for trustworthy advice if necessary.Well My dog passed away and she was awesome. My friend for 15 years.
so I like to chat to people now and then rather than the ghost of my dog
Well, thats really not true sir. Uncle Sam's Match ammo for the Garand was loaded with 173 grain match bullets. Its quite safe to run heavier bullet's once an adjustable gas plug has been installed.Definitely 30-06 Dies & take note of the Caution about Bullet weights noted in most Reloading manuals.
Bullets heavier than 168g will Damage the Op Rod in your Garand.
For 30-06 Bolt guns, any bullet wt is fine; however, the Garand is Different.
I agree with @Creedmoor , the M1 Garand was actually designed to shoot the M1 Ball round, which was a 174gn boat tail projectile. That round was the standard round for the Garand up until around 1941 when they started rolling out the M2 Ball round. Here is a picture of the M1 and M2 Ball projectiles side by side. Both pulled from surplus .30-06 rounds.Definitely 30-06 Dies & take note of the Caution about Bullet weights noted in most Reloading manuals.
Bullets heavier than 168g will Damage the Op Rod in your Garand.
For 30-06 Bolt guns, any bullet wt is fine; however, the Garand is Different.
The 174gn M1 ball load is the heaviest I would shoot through my Garand. In my experience, it is way more accurate through my 43 Springfield than the M2 ball load. Unfortunately M1 ball ammo is so hard to find since most of it was shot up in the early 1940s.So is 173g or 174g the Max?
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