110 grain loads for M1 Garand

[Turkeyneck]

Has anyone loaded any 110 grain bullets for the M1 Garand?

I read somewhere a few years ago a lot of guys were using them for JCG matches and doing really well.

I wasn't interested at the time but I just found about 500 Sierras I've had for years and forgot about.

I'd be thankful to hear anyone's loads. I would stick with H or IMR 4895 and IMR 4064.

[milboltnut]

The only way to find out is load em up and shoot em.

[Turkeyneck]

I did some looking around and a few Garand shooters recommend 49.0 grains of IMR 4895, which is the starting load in my Sierra manual.

That looks to be safe enough.

[Sunray]

Lotta discussion about using 110's on the CMP forum. Can't imagine why anybody'd want to use a non-match grade Carbine bullet for any kind of a match, myself. However, Hodgdon's site loads using either of the 4895's or 4064 will do. Little fella's are really moving at well over 3,000 fps.
49.0 grains of IMR 4895 is way below the current .30-06 start load for a 110. 56.0 is the start for IMR 4895. 51.0 for the 'H'. Don't think it'd hurt anything though.

[milboltnut]

good practice lower recoil loads... Sunray.

[Parashooter]

Can't say much about the RN carbine bullets, but up to 300 yards, there's nothing wrong with the Sierra "Varminter" 110-grain HP. It's a good bullet, well-balanced, and of course offers significant recoil reduction compared to heavier projectiles. Just remember that you have to understand port pressure to develop appropriate loads. M1 port pressure is closely related to gas volume (technically, mass and temperature), which is directly related to powder charge weight. Burning rate and bullet weight of course have a direct influence on PEAK pressure, but this occurs long before the bullet gets to the gas port.

Regardless of bullet weight, powder charges below 50 grains will generally give appropriate M1 port pressure (or less). Between 50 and 52 grains is marginal. Over 52 grains we may begin to see risk of damage to the operating rod. Of course powders must be chosen that will also yield acceptable peak pressure and velocity.

[Turkeyneck]

The Sierra Varminteer 110 grain HP's are what I have.

They are a bit longer than the dedicated .30 Carbine bullets.

Hopefully I can get to the range in a week or so.

[Sunray]

"...lower recoil loads..." What recoil? An M1 Rifle with M1 or M2 Ball has no recoil.

[milboltnut]

this is low "er" recoil....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEQAxMF4h1A

and this is M2 ball... a lot more recoil...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0acZOfY_w

[1-12 INF (M)]

I've had the best results with the Speer and Sierra 125g bullets for a lighter payload M1 cartridge.