garand m 1 rifle forums

Dorobuta · 07-19-2019, 06:40 AM

I was recently gifted a Garand from a good friend of mine. It's the first Garand I've ever owned. It's in pretty decent shape, 1944 build - though it's been grafted with various parts over the years, so it isn't a collectors item.

I'm probably going to re-barrel it with a Criterion barrel - it has been shot over the years with corrosive ammo. The bore is decent, but not great. I figure if I have it, I'm going to shoot it.

Anyone have any good load data, or a source for good load data for the Garand? I may even do some matches with it, once I re-barrel it, providing I can shoot it decently

Terry G · 07-20-2019, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorobuta

I was recently gifted a Garand from a good friend of mine. It's the first Garand I've ever owned. It's in pretty decent shape, 1944 build - though it's been grafted with various parts over the years, so it isn't a collectors item.

I'm probably going to re-barrel it with a Criterion barrel - it has been shot over the years with corrosive ammo. The bore is decent, but not great. I figure if I have it, I'm going to shoot it.

Anyone have any good load data, or a source for good load data for the Garand? I may even do some matches with it, once I re-barrel it, providing I can shoot it decently

I own two Garand's that I shoot recreationally, but I don't re-load. I would suggest one of the Curio & Relic Forums for loading data as it seems every other poster has a "Pet" load. Original M-1 Garand's, rifles with all matching part's are fairly rare. Mine are both mongrel's.

Dorobuta · 07-21-2019, 05:07 PM

Cool, I’ll do some digging. I’m seeing some commercial rounds being advertised as specific for the Garand. I’ll have to check them out...

John in AR · 07-22-2019, 05:08 AM

I don't load .30-06, but have read that there's a tendency on milsurp Garands to prefer a particular weight (or weight range) of bullets; doing better with 147's than 180's or vice-versa.

Definitely +1 on Terry's advice about C&R and reloading forums.

boati · 07-22-2019, 09:36 AM

M-14 forum, CSP forums, Fal forums, and shoot it first, after a careful cleaning of the bore with Sweet's bore cleaner, and see if the accuracy is acceptable. the barrel change is going to cost as much as the gun would normally have cost you.

Dorobuta · 07-22-2019, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boati

M-14 forum, CSP forums, Fal forums, and shoot it first, after a careful cleaning of the bore with Sweet's bore cleaner, and see if the accuracy is acceptable. the barrel change is going to cost as much as the gun would normally have cost you.

New Barrel is about $185 - $200

Garand · 07-25-2019, 06:46 AM

I bought a Korean import junker with a smoothbore barrel back about 1995 and rebuilt it. I managed to find a new GI barrel that shoots about as well as I do, put on a NM front sight and due to local range limitations has given me great service out to 300 yds. For years I used this in 3 gun matches and had a ball.

Jammer Six · 07-25-2019, 05:23 PM

Why wouldn't you use a real reloading manual?

Dorobuta · 07-26-2019, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

Why wouldn't you use a real reloading manual?

I do, but that is not the same as a 'pet' load that people have found to be very useful. If someone has a particular load with a particular powder (for any rifle) that they recommend, I generally check the load against a manual to make sure it isn't an under or over charge, then I back off a few grains and work up to their load to see if I like it.

If someone can save me a few dozen trial and error range sessions, or get me on track for what seems to be a consensus of dealing with the particulars of a Garand, that's what I'm looking for.

I always use published manuals and load data as a reference. I don't want to blow up a gun or get injured. Just looking for useful info.

Garand · 07-26-2019, 12:27 PM

National Match ammo built by Lake City Arsenal always used IMR 4895 as its propellant in .30-06. Good place to start.

Dorobuta · 07-28-2019, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garand

National Match ammo built by Lake City Arsenal always used IMR 4895 as its propellant in .30-06. Good place to start.

Thanks! I have plenty of 4895 on hand for other rounds I load, I guess I’ll start there....

07-19-2019, 06:40 AM	#1
Dorobuta Registered User Joined: Jul 2019 Posts: 385	M1 Garand I was recently gifted a Garand from a good friend of mine. It's the first Garand I've ever owned. It's in pretty decent shape, 1944 build - though it's been grafted with various parts over the years, so it isn't a collectors item. I'm probably going to re-barrel it with a Criterion barrel - it has been shot over the years with corrosive ammo. The bore is decent, but not great. I figure if I have it, I'm going to shoot it. Anyone have any good load data, or a source for good load data for the Garand? I may even do some matches with it, once I re-barrel it, providing I can shoot it decently

07-22-2019, 05:08 AM	#4
John in AR Registered User Joined: May 2004 From: Central Arkansas Posts: 5,129	I don't load .30-06, but have read that there's a tendency on milsurp Garands to prefer a particular weight (or weight range) of bullets; doing better with 147's than 180's or vice-versa. Definitely +1 on Terry's advice about C&R and reloading forums. Dorobuta likes this.

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07-21-2019, 05:07 PM	#3
Dorobuta Registered User Joined: Jul 2019 Posts: 385	Cool, I’ll do some digging. I’m seeing some commercial rounds being advertised as specific for the Garand. I’ll have to check them out...

07-22-2019, 09:36 AM	#5
boati Registered User Joined: Apr 2017 From: USA Posts: 679	M-14 forum, CSP forums, Fal forums, and shoot it first, after a careful cleaning of the bore with Sweet's bore cleaner, and see if the accuracy is acceptable. the barrel change is going to cost as much as the gun would normally have cost you.

07-25-2019, 06:46 AM	#7
Garand Registered User Joined: Jun 2004 From: Canadian Badlands Posts: 8,815	I bought a Korean import junker with a smoothbore barrel back about 1995 and rebuilt it. I managed to find a new GI barrel that shoots about as well as I do, put on a NM front sight and due to local range limitations has given me great service out to 300 yds. For years I used this in 3 gun matches and had a ball.

07-25-2019, 05:23 PM	#8
Jammer Six Registered User Joined: Apr 2017 From: Seattle Posts: 70	Why wouldn't you use a real reloading manual?

07-26-2019, 12:27 PM	#10
Garand Registered User Joined: Jun 2004 From: Canadian Badlands Posts: 8,815	National Match ammo built by Lake City Arsenal always used IMR 4895 as its propellant in .30-06. Good place to start.