(FN=Flat Nose, SP= Spire Point, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose) JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point, FMJ=Full Metal Jacket)
Loads for .30 M-1 Carbine Rifle:
(Note: These are maximum loads, you should use 3-5% less to start.) I was advised by a fellow shooter on the web, that backing off any more than 3% would not allow the M-1 Carbine to function properly. With any auto, the loads will be trickier. You certainly want to measure your powder carefully and check the loads to make sure you have the correct bullet weight, type and powder before shooting.
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Bullets are .308″ and .3085″ diameter. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.
100 grain SJ (Hornady Short Jacket)
| IMR 4227 | 16.0* gr. | 2.005 FPS |
| IMR 4198 | 14.5* gr. | 1,530 |
| SR 4759 | 11.0* gr. | 1,575 |
| 2400 | 12.3* gr. | 1,815 |
| H4227 | 14.5* gr. | 1,897 |
| No. 9 | 13.3* gr. | 2,015 |
* compressed load
110 grain SJ or Hornady RN
| IMR 4227 | 15.0* gr. | 1,900 FPS |
| IMR 4198 | 14.5* gr. | 1,495 |
| SR 4759 | 11.0* gr. | 1,545 |
| 2400 | 10.3* gr. | 1,500 |
| H4227 | 14.5* gr. | 1,935 |
| No. 9 | 12.6* gr. | 1,893 |
| 680 | 16.0* gr. | 1,970 |
* compressed load
112 grain Lead RN or SWC
| IMR 4227 | 14.0* gr. | —– FPS |
| IMR 4198 | 13.5* gr. | —– |
| SR 4759 | 10.0* gr. | —– |
| 2400 | 10.3* gr. | 1,590 |
| H4227 | 13.5* gr. | —– |
| No. 9 | 12.0* gr. | —– |
* compressed load
125 grain Lead RN
| No. 9 | 11.0 gr. | 1,769 FPS |
| A1680 | 15.0* gr. | 1,756 |
* compressed load
Discussion: For owners of M-1 Carbines, it’s a lot of fun to fire away with this little semi-auto. Loads need to be fairly consistent to make the action work properly. Ruger had a cylinder for one of their single action, six-shooters that would use the .30 M-1, so you could use the same cartridge in your rifle and handgun. As I remember, that pistol would use several types of .30 cal. ammo, by changing the cylinder.
*
#2400, Reloader 7, 11, 12, 15, 19, and 22 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
H380, H450 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders.
IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No. 2, No. 5, #2230, #2700, #3100 and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company
WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.
References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet – – Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders’ Guide (1995) – – Hodgdon’s Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) – – Speer Reloading Manual, #12 – – Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition – – Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. – – VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet (1995) – – Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted.
