Need help finding a good load for .308 garand

[marks]

I have a .308 Garand and I reload ammo myself. Due to the current ammunition shortage I have not been able to acquire any IMR 4895 propellant. I do, however, have a lot of IMR 3031 which is a somewhat faster powder but according to the NRA's chart, acceptable for the 30-06 with a 150 grain bullet. The specs that I've seen for this powder in .308 is 40 gr for a starting load to 43.5 grain max. I've tried 40 grains which ejects the case about 10 feet but seems to be too light a load (or too fast) to strip the next round. I'm willing to go to 41 grains but that's about it. Any thoughts? Perhaps the oprod spring should be a wee bit shorter?
Thanks,
Mark

[timshufflin]

Where is Buzzy when you need him?

[ttwn0324]

Sounds like you're in the ball park. And, yes the powder burns faster causing higher chamber pressure and lower gas pressure at the gas port. I would staying with load you have and installing a schuster valve. M1A's have no problem shooting IMR 3031. The old black & White box federal match ran 168gr bullet with 39.5gr's IMR 3031. But, considering the M1 gas system is different and the port further out you have to raise the gas port pressure. Easy way to do that is with the schuster and if need be open up the port itself a little. This way you still shot other ammo latter on just by adjusting the valve.

Just my two cents and as always get second & third opinions when it comes to this.

[Phil McGrath]

Yes IMR-3031 can be used you just need too bump the charge weight up until the rifle starts running as it should. Yes the gas port on the .308 M1 is further forward and I dout it will ever potty train a M1 in .308 just be happy the empties clear the action. My 7.62 M1 slings them anywhere from 1 to 5 o'clock.

I don't see how the Schuster plug gets you more gas, you need more powder to make more gas and too get the rifle running and a .308 doesn't have the gas reserve that the 30.06 has, and as many have found out there a waist of money in a .308 Garand. The recoil springs are the same do not put a shorter one in you will for sure have issues.

I have used IMR-3031 with lite bullets the 4895's with mid weights and IMR-4320 with the heavies, never a issue when you keep them inside established Arsenal M/V.

[timshufflin]

Yes IMR-3031 can be used you just need too bump the charge weight up until the rifle starts running as it should. Yes the gas port on the .308 M1 is further forward and I dout it will ever potty train a M1 in .308 just be happy the empties clear the action. My 7.62 M1 slings them anywhere from 1 to 5 o'clock.

I don't see how the Schuster plug gets you more gas, you need more powder to make more gas and too get the rifle running and a .308 doesn't have the gas reserve that the 30.06 has, and as many have found out there a waist of money in a .308 Garand. The recoil springs are the same do not put a shorter one in you will for sure have issues.

I have used IMR-3031 with lite bullets the 4895's with mid weights and IMR-4320 with the heavies, never a issue when you keep them inside established Arsenal M/V.


Schusters don't get you more gas.

[Phil McGrath]

I have a .308 Garand and I reload ammo myself. Due to the current ammunition shortage I have not been able to acquire any IMR 4895 propellant. I do, however, have a lot of IMR 3031 which is a somewhat faster powder but according to the NRA's chart, acceptable for the 30-06 with a 150 grain bullet. The specs that I've seen for this powder in .308 is 40 gr for a starting load to 43.5 grain max. I've tried 40 grains which ejects the case about 10 feet but seems to be too light a load (or too fast) to strip the next round. I'm willing to go to 41 grains but that's about it. Any thoughts? Perhaps the oprod spring should be a wee bit shorter?
Thanks,
Mark


I don't see how the Schuster plug gets you more gas, you need more powder to make more gas and too get the rifle running.


Schusters don't get you more gas.

Thanks, I think?

[ttwn0324]

It changes how much of that gas is bleed out and in return changes the momentum of the op rod. And, yes. If he runs a solid plug and it's still not stripping the next round. A Schuster valve will do him no good.

[marks]

Just a quick update on my problem. If I user 41.5 grains of 3031 with a 150 gr bullet, the rifle seems to be happy and cycle reliably. So if you're stuck with a bunch of IMR 3031 and a .308 garand, all is not lost. Thanks for the posts.
Mark

[NE450No2]

In a 308 rifle my favorite load is a 165/168gr bullet over 39.5gr of IMR 3031.
I have been using that load since the mid 1970's and I have used it quite a bit in several different rifles, including 308 M1 Garands, full size and Tanker, M1-A's, FN-FAL's and H&K 91's, as well as levers singleshots, and bolt actions.

With a 150gr bullet I use 42 Gr of IMR 3031.

I also use IMR 3031 in my 30/06 Garand hunting loads, mainly because I always have a bunch of it on hand.