308 & 30-06 reloading

Works Better?

Why fool around with perfection?

The US Army used a number of powders, WC852, IMR 3031, in the 30-06 case and these were all based on cost considerations. However the powder used in majority of National Match ammunition was IMR 4895. This is not by accident, the Army literally tested hundreds of thousands of rounds each year when deciding on the propellant.

Now, if you build your Garand and M1a into match rifles they may do slightly better with different propellants, but it won't be a night and day difference.

I have shot with many shooters who preferred IMR 4064 in their Garand's/M1a's, it is a great powder.

I think any of the IMR 4895 copies, H4895/AA2495 should be your first test choice in the Garand/M1a, then experiment with IMR 4064, maybe Varget, maybe IMR 3031. I have used all of these at one time or another in the M1a, they all work, and they will all shoot inside your hold.

I don't like ball powders, they are too messy.

IMR 3031 is the fastest I would go and IMR 4064 is the slowest. So those are your powder burn rate boundaries. Go experiment and find what is best.

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If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

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