M1 30.06 reloads.

[Phil McGrath]

Here are some loadings that work well in Our M1 or 03 Springfield rifles, now that the CMP is nolonger issuing ammo at the line, enjoy.

I use Lake City or Greek brass all case prep is the same, I have not seen any real differance between Commercial or Military brass in 30.06 for loading capacity but Military brass (LC) is harder and feels slicker than Greek brass in a bolt gun, in the M1 rifle you can't feel it. Case life in a M1 is short about 4 reloads before I retire them sometimes less with Greek brass. Case life with the 03 Springfield I just run them untell the primer pockets give out or the case mouth split.

All case prep is the same,#1 F/L resize and deprime, US Military brass will need the primer crimp removed either swaged or cut before being primed, Greek brass has a lite primer crimp that rolls away without swaging or cutting, Commercial brass there no crimp to worry about. #2 Trim to lenth 2.484 #3 chamfer and debur case mouth. case prep done.

Garand safe powders fall in the burning speeds between IMR3031 and IMR-4320.

135 Sierra Match King.
47.5grns IMR/H-4895
Primer: Winchester Large rifle or Wolf/Tula
COAL: 3.22-3.25
This is a great load for Garand Matches with the 03 Springfield and your M1 will recoil like a Ar/15 and still cycle the action. You can also sub in the 125 Speer TnT.

Any 168 or 175
46.5grns IMR/H-4895
Primer: same as above
COAL: 3.30 for the 168's 3.34 for the 175's
This is a clone load of Caliber .30 Match that everyone likes, what more can you say it just works.

Any 168 or 175
46.5grns Varget
Primer: same as above
COAL: 3.30 for the 168's 3.34 for the 175's
This is the current Hornaday Match load with the 168 A-Max bullet issued for the Eastern/Western and Camp Perry Garand Matches.

Any 168 or 175
48grns IMR/H-4064
Primer: same as above
COAL: 3.30 for the 168's 3.34 for the 175's
This is a classic known accuracy loading that has been in High-Power Service Rifle usage for so long most shooter can't remember that far back, It maybe old but it works.

And for the love of God, never crimp a Match bullet too the case mouth. Why invite Mr. Murphy into the mix.

I'm not looking to reinvent the wheel, load development for the M1 rifle was done 60+ years ago and much longer for the 03 Springfield, your more than welcome too play with these loads +/- .5grns as there mild for preasure, there so much left over airspace in the 30.06 case, your shoulder/rifle/target isn't going to know.

[Jersey Devil]

Great info, Phil.
A quick question.......my 1903 is one of the very early six-digit rifles. What's your stance on shooting it, and if I do shoot it would you recommend a down-loaded cartridge for safety purposes?
Thanks!!

[Phil McGrath]

The not so quick answer on a very complicated subject, the Single Heat Treat subject..... Contrary too popular belief there has been a lot more failures than were recorded and over a much longer time frame. There is a gent that use too be on a few forums that went by the screen name of Eagle1 or Slamfire he had data on 03 failures long after Army Ord unofficially quit recording them well into the 60's-70's both SHT and DHT and a few rare NS.. Statically speaking? I would have thought that if there was going too be a issue the receiver it would have failed by now, but you never know when your going too win the lottery, either...

Normally I'm the type of guy that wouldn't own a weapon that's unsafe too fire or one that never gets used, The CMP sold SHT rifles and made it very clear they should not be fired they were for collectors and too be used as wall hangers even if it was rebuilt and had a WWII dated barrel. With all that said, if you just had too fire your SHT rifle, I sure wouldn't put it too the safety test with heavy long range loads, Nor would I even use M2 spec loads, if I were too fire a SHT rifle it would be with very lite 110-135grn loads because they just don't make high chamber pressures and then I wouldn't do so very often.


I myself have a NS 1.47mil SA that falls in the 03a1 block and it still wears its prewar "C" stock its a shooter and not a collector rifle but Its still mostly correct except for its SA10-44 barrel, I nabbed it with the intentions of using it for some 600/1000yds belly matches after some rather stiff loads of IMR-4350 under some 190SMK that quickly came too a end. I will continue too use it for Vintage Rifle and Garand Games with a much more shoulder friendly 135SMK loads. If I were too build and use a top end max accuracy 03 rifle I would use a 03 Remington receiver and bolt both were made from superior 8620 steel and the Remington has the Hatcher Hole from the factory.

[Jersey Devil]

Thanks for this knowledge, Phil. I've learned over the years that this subject is a very complicated one. I'm really torn as to what to do with mine. Maybe it'll just be a wall hanger for the rest of the days that I care for it.

[Phil McGrath]

Sorry if my reply sounded lawyerish, I myself wouldn't be able too resist the urge too shoot one, from time too time..... I myself would take every reasonable precaution within reason but you just never know? Having a weakness for 03 rifles I can also see there beauty I would really think twice about subjecting one too normal loads even though many don't have issues. It would be my luck a mostly correct or a sweet cosmetic restoration feel apart and I had no one too blame but myself and a piece of history was now forever lost.


Its a cross roads some are happy too never shoot there's,

[Jersey Devil]

Phil,
Any idea where I can get down-loaded .30 caliber cartridges to shoot through my '03?

[Phil McGrath]

Phil,
Any idea where I can get down-loaded .30 caliber cartridges to shoot through my '03?

Too Buy? No, its strictly a roll your own venture.. You can use the 135 load data I posted, sub in some 110-125gr projo's and be well under listed reloading book pressures. @ 100-200yds you don't need too crank them up too make good speed or have accurate ammo. Your shoulder will like them as well.

[sardog72781]

Phil, I see that you use the powder range "IMR3031 and IMR-4320." All the reloading books that I have say that IMR4895 and H4895 are good safe accurate powers to use in the Garand. Have you a differing opinion? I only ask because I am just starting to reload for my Garand and I really want to save the action form excessive wear. Thanks!

[Phil McGrath]

Phil, I see that you use the powder range "IMR3031 and IMR-4320." All the reloading books that I have say that IMR4895 and H4895 are good safe accurate powers to use in the Garand. Have you a differing opinion? I only ask because I am just starting to reload for my Garand and I really want to save the action form excessive wear. Thanks!

Hummmm........ I do use a range of powders IMR-3031 too IMR-4320 so IMR/H4895 is almost in the middle of that range. Yes, I've burnt more than my fair share of it. Reread my first post, I listed load data using both of the 4895 powder types. In my experience both powders can work well with bullet weights from 125-168grns, 175grns and up bullets favor the slower IMR-4064, Varget, IMR-4320 powders.

[sardog72781]

Well so you did!! My bad. That's what happens when your running on only 3 hrs of sleep... Sorry!

[Phil McGrath]

Well so you did!! My bad. That's what happens when your running on only 3 hrs of sleep... Sorry!

You just overlooked it, have fun and remember too always verify load data in a load manual. Just because my load data looks good on paper its still your duty too start low and work up.

[sardog72781]

Hey Phil, what are your thoughts on CCI Primers? I am looking at getting #34 7.62mm & 30-06 Nato Spec Primer 1000 Count for $37.48. I have heard that the "beefed up" primers will prevent slam fires.

[Phil McGrath]

I've used them there not any better or any worse than Win Large Rifle both are on the warm side, however for that price and if you can snag them get what you can get. Know what I mean, and a reminder always seat primers below flush.

[Osric 31]

Do you reduce the charge 10% ish when using mil brass? I have a jumble bag full of asstd. types.

[couldbfishin]

New to reloading. I have been shooting Greek HXP rounds in my 50's H&R and Springfield M1s and occasionally in my Remington '42 1903. Although I have some cans of the HXP left, I decided to use the brass I had collected and start reloading. I have reloaded about 1000 rounds and shot maybe 400 through the two Garands. I was considering shooting some through the 1903. After reading this thread, I am wondering if it is safe to shoot my 1942 Remington 1903 (not an A1) and use the reloads. Or for that matter, is it safe to use the HXP that I still have in sealed cans.

Reloading HXP and come commercial 30.06 brass, primarily Winchester with 155 grain Sierra Matchking HPBT, 44.5 grains H4895 and using Winchester Large Rifle primers. I follow the same case preparation that Phil describes above. The only pockets I swage are those that the primers do not seat in when I initially try to seat them. I am careful to make sure the primers are flush or sunken in the pocket. A recent chronograph reading of these rounds was 1950-2000 fps. I have not had any failure to fires.

I don't shoot competitively at this point, just for fun.

Would this load be safe in the 1903 and is the remaining HXP safe to shoot in the 1903? Before reading this thread, I considered it safer to shoot the 1903 than the Garand due to the operating rod damage that I hear can be caused using hotter loads. I never considered the bolt action 1903 unsafe.

Interested in learning more.