Ok, 4895 is the powder US military used. What other powders will work without beating the op rod up?

Medium burn rate powders are the key. You don't want slow powders that will also tend to generate high pressures at the muzzle where the gas port is located (and yield large muzzle flashes as well).

BL-C(2) is an other powder that fits the bill.

i have used 4895 for the past 5 years in my m-1 in 308 and have the best results with it. it is also a match rifle that i use out to 600 yds at matches. i love it it seems that most of the guys that i shoot with seem to come back to 4895 and stay there. hope that helps brian

IMR-4064 is what the 'old timers' used.

btw if u are using a stock m-1 op rod and not the match version do not use the 173 grn bullets or hevaier . they will bend op rods. the us military found this out early and then went to the m-2 ball ammo with 150 grn bullets. 147-150 are best with stock guns in 30-06 and 308.
if your gun has a match op rod it is ok for the 173 grn fmj . i have shot over 8000 rounds from my m-1 with the match rod with no problems brian

IMR 4895 and Garands are made for each other. I've used some BLC2 as well, but nothing beats an M2 ball and 4895.

Seen an awful lot of rounds sent downrange with an M1 and a lot of problems over the years. And I have never seen a problem caused by the use of 4895. Stay as near 'factory' - MilSpec, actually - as possible and you'll be just fine. Also, the sights, etc are all in tune if you do this.
If you want to dick around, use a bolt action and experiment to your hearts desire. 'nuf said?

Did any one mention 4895? (hint, hint!)

Larry Gibson

I am having great results with IMR 4064. All my 4895 gets used in my Whelen.... the Garand can't have it!!!

This is from an American Rifleman Nov/Dec 1994:

Service Rifle Loads

150gr Jacketed Bullets

Start 46gr Max Load 48gr of IMR/H4895 OAL 3.30

Start 48gr Max Load 50gr of IMR 4064 OAL 3.30

Start 48gr Max Load 50gr of WW748 OAL 3.30



168-180gr Jacketed Bullets

REDUCE MAX 2GRS FOR SIERRA 180GR MATCHKING
REDUCE MAX 1GR FOR 174GR M72/M118 BULLETS

Start 44gr Max Load 47gr of IMR/H4895 OAL 3.32

Start 46gr Max Load 50gr of IMR 4064 OAL 3.32

Start 46gr Max Load 50gr of ww 748 OAL 3.32

4895 was standard for military ammo. If you want only one powder for everything, 4895 is it. Ballistics of M2 Ball service ammo with 150gr spitzer, flat-based bullet (2740fps+/-30fps), are approximated with 47.5gr of H or IMR 4895 or 50gr of IMR4064 or WW748. In commercial brass, charges MAY be increased 1 gr. These are fine match loads for offhand and 200rapid.

Before the 168gr Sierra MatchKing, the 125gr sptizer was favored for 200 offhand and sitting rapid stages, these were used with the max charges for the 150gr loadings above.

The Service Rifle Loads are used for the long range stages with the M1.

Please note the caveats above and always start low and work up. Kudude

4895 is the powder for the 06 for use in a Garand. 46 or 47 grains if memory serves me correctly. Check your manuals.

4064 is a close second, but most competitve garand shooters you will find use 4895.