30 cal 140gr CCs M1 Garand Load data

jimbo88mm · Nov 14, 2012

I have some of the new 140gr Customer Competitions on the way. I plan to use them in my M1 Garand. I was curious to see if anyone has worked up some loads. I found a couple of CMPs forum but would like to see what else is out there.

Planning to use Varget.

Wincheringen · Nov 14, 2012

Are you sure thats a suitable powder for the gas system? I was told IMR 4064 was good, and loaded it with the 155 CCs for several years. One day I was cleaning my Garand and found it had bent the operating rod. I switched to IMR 4895 and haven't had an issue yet. I can't be certain that the powder caused it though. IMR 4064 is right in the middle of powders suggested for the Garand. Clarke recommends a powder with a speed between IMR 3031 and IMR 4320.

velvetant · Nov 14, 2012

Varget is a great powder for the Garand as is IMR4895, Hodgdon4895, IMR4064, BLC-2
The Nosler 155CC with IMR4895 gave me the best groups with Varget coming in second place

jimbo88mm · Nov 15, 2012

Wincheringen":1kotrt4z said:
Are you sure thats a suitable powder for the gas system? I was told IMR 4064 was good, and loaded it with the 155 CCs for several years. One day I was cleaning my Garand and found it had bent the operating rod. I switched to IMR 4895 and haven't had an issue yet. I can't be certain that the powder caused it though. IMR 4064 is right in the middle of powders suggested for the Garand. Clarke recommends a powder with a speed between IMR 3031 and IMR 4320.

I have seen the same recommended powder range and Varget is right next to IMR 4064. I've been using Varget for years now with no ill affect. That said I do have an adjustable gas plug installed. I used it when I first got the Garand so I could shoot factory ammo. I've closed the valve but left the plug in place.

To date my best load for my garand are nosler 168gr Custom Competitions over 46.3gr of Varget. Below is a pic of my best group ever with the M1 @ 100 yards. It's a 10 shot group (two 5 round endblocs):

This is easily my go to load but I'm also on a budget so when I saw the new 140s show up on SPS at a great price I had to try them out. I will share how my testing goes.