Seeking M1 Garand 30-06 Loading Data for 168 gr Nosler E-Tip

[Bromel]

I want to work up a hunting load for my M1 Garand 30-06 using the 168 gr Nosler E-Tip bullet. As you may know, you can't simply use regular 30-06 loading data for the M1 Garand. It is sensitive to the gas port pressure.

Has anybody loaded E-tips for the M1 Garand? I plan to use IMR 4895, IMR 4064 or Hodgdon BL-C2 powders. Since info on the Garand and E-tip is practically non-existent, I would appreciate any experience at all you might have. Thanks.

 

[1Shot]

Any of those powders will work in the M1 Garand. I don't have any load data on those E-Tip bullets but if you find some data I would use what would get you around 2600 fps. If you can't find any data I would use a start load for 165/68 gr bullets and work up slowly until I found accuracy and not go over 2600 fps. IMR 4064 has always work great with 168 gr Match Kings.

 

[Bromel]

Thanks. Just one question. If the regular Nosler 30-06 loading data shows a powder load to achieve 2,600 fps, does that mean that the same load will produce around 2,600 fps in the Garand?

 

[1Shot]

It should be close.

 

[RogueRiver]

check out the Hornady loading manual- they have a section just for the M1. I use varget, blc2 or ramshot biggame. I like the biggame-really clean burning powder.

 

[1Shot]

I would not use the Ram shot BIGGAME powder in a M1 Garand. It is too slow burning and will cause too much port pressure and can bend your op-rod. BIGGAME is in the burn rate of IMR 4350. HUNTER should work well though.

 

[Bromel]

The Nosler website provides some load data for 30-06 Springfield. It shows 46.0 grains of IMR 4895 for a velocity of 2,640. That is the middle of the Nosler load recommendations.

I just received my 168 grain E-Tips in the mail today. There is a note in the box that says "The Nosler lab recommends to start at the low end of the Nosler data and do not exceed the mid load."

So I assume that I will be OK if I load up to 46.0 grains of IMR 4895.

 

[1Shot]

That sounds about right. I load 48 grs iMR 4895 with the 155 Nosler custom competition HPBT in LC military match cases for my most accurate match load for my M1 Garand. You have to back off 1 grain with most loads when using military cases because they are thicker and have less internal capacity than Remington or WW etc.