M1 Garand ammo

[Recon-01]

Looking to feed my M1 Garands. I have my 03 and COE. I have been looking online and haven't been able locate any from anyone who will ship to me. I do have the list of vendors who are California friendly but haven't been able to find any.
Does anyone have any suggestions or a go to that they get their ammo from?
Thanks in advance.

[flyer898]

A reloading press is your friend here.

[croue]

Yes - this:

Link didn’t work. Get an adjustable garand gas plug.

Or get H4895 and load your own.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[God Bless America]

Originally Posted by Recon-01

Looking to feed my M1 Garands. I have my 03 and COE. I have been looking online and haven't been able locate any from anyone who will ship to me. I do have the list of vendors who are California friendly but haven't been able to find any.
Does anyone have any suggestions or a go to that they get their ammo from?
Thanks in advance.

Find a dealer who will handle the transfer for $25 and be done with it. It is odious, but apparently easier than finding a seller willing to ship to an 03 here in CA.

Royal tiger has some right now.

[TKM]

CMP.

https://estore.thecmp.org/Catalog/Item/4C3006CS167-100

[musketjon]

Originally Posted by croue

Get an adjustable garand gas plug.

Totally unnecessary. In over 40 years of shooting the M1 rifle I've NEVER needed one. Just make sure it's GREASED properly. The problems arise from running them with improper lube, not the ammo.
Jon

[zinfull]

These guys send to Ca with a FFL 03 and COE

https://www.outdoorlimited.com/rifle...By=8&mode=list

[FeuerFrei]

Originally Posted by musketjon

Totally unnecessary. In over 40 years of shooting the M1 rifle I've NEVER needed one. Just make sure it's GREASED properly. The problems arise from running them with improper lube, not the ammo.
Jon

Agreed.

Over the years I have used commercial fmj in my service grade with No ill effects. No nose plug needed. Proper clean/lube is key.

[19K]

Originally Posted by musketjon

Totally unnecessary. In over 40 years of shooting the M1 rifle I've NEVER needed one. Just make sure it's GREASED properly. The problems arise from running them with improper lube, not the ammo.
Jon

Originally Posted by FeuerFrei

Agreed.

Over the years I have used commercial fmj in my service grade with No ill effects. No nose plug needed. Proper clean/lube is key.

The adjustable gas plug isn’t just for cycling purposes, it’s for taming the recoil impulse on the operating rod so you don’t damage/break it (or your rifle) from using ammo that’s higher pressure than standard 150 grain FMJ.

I use the garand gear plug and have no issues with commercial or hand loads.

[FeuerFrei]

Originally Posted by 19K

The adjustable gas plug isn’t just for cycling purposes, it’s for taming the recoil impulse on the operating rod so you don’t damage/break it (or your rifle) from using ammo that’s higher pressure than standard 150 grain FMJ.

I use the garand gear plug and have no issues with commercial or hand loads.

Commercial ammo will not hurt a mechanically sound and maintained Garand. The NO NO
of using commercial ammo is pure FUD.

The nose plug is an un-needed piece for shooting non mil spec ammo.

Yes. Reducing bolt speed by restricting gas will reduce felt recoil. That's not why people usually buy those. They fear bent op rod FUD by using comm spec ammo.

We had a lively discussion a good while ago about this.
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...php?p=27312703

[19K]

Originally Posted by FeuerFrei

Commercial ammo will not hurt a mechanically sound and maintained Garand. The NO NO
of using commercial ammo is pure FUD.

The nose plug is an un-needed piece for shooting non mil spec ammo.

Yes. Reducing bolt speed by restricting gas will reduce felt recoil. That's not why people usually buy those. They fear bent op rod FUD by using comm spec ammo.

We had a lively discussion a good while ago about this.
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...php?p=27312703

220 is fine?

What about 180 Barnes TSX? Does the all copper design have any affect on pressure? I remember that discussion. I believe the consensus was it’s fine to use bullet weights designed for the garand 150-175, not necessarily heavier or all copper design

[TKM]

We had a lively discussion a good while ago about this.
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...php?p=27312703

Yes we did and once again your side was, is and continues to be wrong.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by TKM

We had a lively discussion a good while ago about this.
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...php?p=27312703

Yes we did and once again your side was, is and continues to be wrong.

Lolol

😆

[FeuerFrei]

Originally Posted by 19K

220 is fine?

What about 180 Barnes TSX? Does the all copper design have any affect on pressure? I remember that discussion. I believe the consensus was it’s fine to use bullet weights designed for the garand 150-175, not necessarily heavier or all copper design

I never tried 220 in my rifle. Never hunted game with a bolt gun with 220 either so I cannot say. I use my rifle for shooting steel. So I have no personal knowledge of 220.
Range time for me means cheap ammo that works.

I can say the recoil is more noticeable with heavier bullet loads, but has no effect on the mechanicals involved.

I looked at my own experience to come to my own conclusions. Bent op rod syndrome happens, but does not indicate that the commercial ammo is the cause. Scapegoating the ammo is pigeon religion IMO.

*these are old rifles so act accordingly. Learn to swap bad springs and properly clean/lube for best results.
*my favorite brand for range time is Wolf. Always goes bang and seems to deliver mil spec accuracy out of my rifle.

[M1A Rifleman]

Originally Posted by musketjon

Totally unnecessary. In over 40 years of shooting the M1 rifle I've NEVER needed one. Just make sure it's GREASED properly. The problems arise from running them with improper lube, not the ammo.
Jon

Agreed, and keep your factory ammo to 150 to 165 grain bullets

[Mustang]

The Civilian Marksmanship Program, the worlds largest purveyor of M1 Garands to the public, has specific recommendations for what ammo to use in Garands....

Dear CMP Family,

The CMP advises to not use .30/06 ammunition in M1 Garands, 1903s, and 1903A3s that is loaded beyond 50,000 CUP and has a bullet weight more than 172-174gr. These rifles are at least 70 years old and were not designed for max loads and super heavy bullets. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle.

This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10).

Civilian Marksmanship Program

Garand Gear, which admittedly sells a ported Garand gas plug, has done peak gas port pressure tests with a number of different 30.06 rounds. Most of the rounds with bullet weights below 168 grains have peak port pressures below the highest LC M2 ball ammo. Most rounds with 180 grain bullets and heavier have peak port pressures higher than the highest LC M2 ball port pressures.

An interesting read...

https://www.garandgear.com/the-m1-ga...al-ammunition/

[FeuerFrei]

Originally Posted by Mustang

The Civilian Marksmanship Program, the worlds largest purveyor of M1 Garands to the public, has specific recommendations for what ammo to use in Garands....



Garand Gear, which admittedly sells a ported Garand gas plug, has done peak gas port pressure tests with a number of different 30.06 rounds. Most of the rounds with bullet weights below 168 grains have peak port pressures below the highest LC M2 ball ammo. Most rounds with 180 grain bullets and heavier have peak port pressures higher than the highest LC M2 ball port pressures.

An interesting read...

https://www.garandgear.com/the-m1-ga...al-ammunition/

Good search there. CMP has come around.

Ammo difference between the m1 ball vs m2 ball production shows the rifle design needed to consume everything already in inventory at the time. pre-war was mostly m1 ball which was a heavier load.

[NapalmCheese]

Someone on youtube does a test measuring op-rod velocity and finds that some ammo can create op-rod velocity greater than any M2 ball. They suggest you use an adjustable gas plug to reduce chances of bending/breaking an op-rod.

Someone else does a youtube video, doing the same tests, gets the same results, and says you don't need an adjustable gas plug; you just need to grease your gun and change worn out springs.

Pick your side, then pick your ammo.

Me? I just load my own.

[FeuerFrei]

Originally Posted by bigbossman

Lolol

😆

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by Recon-01

Looking to feed my M1 Garands. I have my 03 and COE. I have been looking online and haven't been able locate any from anyone who will ship to me. I do have the list of vendors who are California friendly but haven't been able to find any.
Does anyone have any suggestions or a go to that they get their ammo from?
Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by flyer898

A reloading press is your friend here.

Couldn't agree more. Roll your own, and you can bypass that odious California ammo "nanny state" nonsense. You also ensure an ammo supply. And finally, you save money per round.

OP, I suggest that, from this point forward, you follow the holy commandment of Keeping Thy Brass. Since the M1 Garand isn't a precision shooting instrument, but rather a battle rifle of 1930's technology, mixed-headstamp brass is not a problem.

[Recon-01]

Thank you guys for all the info. I found some local to me and will be saving my brass for sure.
I bought stuff for reloading about 5 years ago (presses,primers,powder,projectiles) with the intention of starting. But the little one was born with severe medical issues, so that stuff has just been stored away.
I have been watching videos and looking at manuals but not sure where to go from there. I wish they still had reloading classes around here.

[NapalmCheese]

Originally Posted by Recon-01

Thank you guys for all the info. I found some local to me and will be saving my brass for sure.
I bought stuff for reloading about 5 years ago (presses,primers,powder,projectiles) with the intention of starting. But the little one was born with severe medical issues, so that stuff has just been stored away.
I have been watching videos and looking at manuals but not sure where to go from there. I wish they still had reloading classes around here.

Reloading is easy and doesn't have to be scary in the slightest.

Get your favorite (or first, or whatever) manual, read the first few chapters covering safety, the order of operations, etc. You don't have to read the parts about exterior ballistics, but that can be educational and nice. Just definitely read the safety and "how to reload" parts. From there, find your recipes, follow the safety and how-to guides in your manual, and load (and shoot) with confidence.

Your manual might have a dedicated M1 Garand section alongside the .30-06 section. Depending on your favorite youtubers and cal gunners you can choose loads from one or the other!

At the end of the day however, unless you're trying to hit a specific velocity number, just start low and work up until you have a good shooting group. You'll probably find you get a nice group well before you hit the max load for M1 Garand specific loadings OR .30-06 loadings. Low charge weights mean more shots/lb of powder and less wear and tear on your gun.

[peppermintman]

Originally Posted by FeuerFrei

I thought hearing the guy said n the video complain about the gas cylinder being too tight. I’d rather have a tight one than a loose one for sure. That’s where your front sight is. I had a bunch of fliers and I mean a bunch not even hitting the target. I was in the area of Clovis and dropped by to see Mr. Lungman. He did an inspection and found out I had a really loose gas cylinder. So after cleaning the gas port he reassembled the rifle and added a little red Locktite on the splines the on went the gas tube. It’s a ‘41 so it’s a little worn out. I e got lots of CMP loose delinked M2 ball and the rifle never bent the op rod so I’m gonna shoot it until I have to open a can. Of course I’m keeping all the brass. My shooting buddy took a couple of shots at his 12” gong at 100 yards and on the second shot the gong flew off the stand. Later we walked out and he put two holes through the steel. Big surprise.
One thing I remember Mr. Lungman saying. How often you clean your M1? I said every time I take it out. He said it ain’t no M16 so don’t. He’s out in Idaho now and hope he’s doing well.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by peppermintman

I thought hearing the guy said n the video complain about the gas cylinder being too tight. I’d rather have a tight one than a loose one for sure. That’s where your front sight is. I had a bunch of fliers and I mean a bunch not even hitting the target. I was in the area of Clovis and dropped by to see Mr. Lungman. He did an inspection and found out I had a really loose gas cylinder. So after cleaning the gas port he reassembled the rifle and added a little red Locktite on the splines the on went the gas tube. It’s a ‘41 so it’s a little worn out. I e got lots of CMP loose delinked M2 ball and the rifle never bent the op rod so I’m gonna shoot it until I have to open a can. Of course I’m keeping all the brass. My shooting buddy took a couple of shots at his 12” gong at 100 yards and on the second shot the gong flew off the stand. Later we walked out and he put two holes through the steel. Big surprise.
One thing I remember Mr. Lungman saying. How often you clean your M1? I said every time I take it out. He said it ain’t no M16 so don’t. He’s out in Idaho now and hope he’s doing well.

Tom Luhman from TLC Gunworks in Clovis assembled a very nice John C Garand Match rifle for me years ago. A fine Garand-smith and a real gentleman.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by Mustang

Tom Luhman from TLC Gunworks in Clovis assembled a very nice John C Garand Match rifle for me years ago. A fine Garand-smith and a real gentleman.

Jebus! Is he still around? I met him at a CA State Highpower match at Coalinga. He did a ton of match prep work for just about everyone on the line, except maybe the military folks. That was in the early to mid 90's.

EDIT: Cripes!! I just looked him up, and he is in Weiser ID. That is just up the road from me.

[beerman]

Another word on M1 accuracy. Years back one of my Garands shot for
Crap. I purchased the old NRA publication on accurizing the M1. Followed the directions and glass bedded the thing. It went from 7” with flyers to solid sub 4” groups. Even tighter with my reloads or M72… It’s a 12-41 gun to boot.

[peppermintman]

Originally Posted by bigbossman

Jebus! Is he still around? I met him at a CA State Highpower match at Coalinga. He did a ton of match prep work for just about everyone on the line, except maybe the military folks. That was in the early to mid 90's.

EDIT: Cripes!! I just looked him up, and he is in Weiser ID. That is just up the road from me.

My wife hung out with his wife while Tom and I talked while he looked over my M1 in the garage. Good thing I had family in Fresno, i forgot how far Fresno was from the IE.
I still laugh when I think about my spotter asking me if I was shooting at the right target. After he did his magic my M1 is a really good shooter.

[California_Deplorable]

Originally Posted by zinfull

These guys send to Ca with a FFL 03 and COE

https://www.outdoorlimited.com/rifle...By=8&mode=list

This looks like the best deal for .3006 right now. Its Berdan primed tho so non-reloadable. Might be worth paying more for other ammo so you can save the brass to reload.

Agree with others that commercial .3006 under 168grs should be just fine in an M1.

[California_Deplorable]

Looks like target sports has PPU 165gr soft point (which is good for shooting steel target matches BTW). FREE SHIPPING for 200rds. This is good reloadable brass too. They ship to 03FFLs.
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi...ource=AmmoSeek

[highpower790]

Originally Posted by peppermintman

My wife hung out with his wife while Tom and I talked while he looked over my M1 in the garage. Good thing I had family in Fresno, i forgot how far Fresno was from the IE.
I still laugh when I think about my spotter asking me if I was shooting at the right target. After he did his magic my M1 is a really good shooter.

How many glasses of Gallo were consumed?...

[2761377]

the special, snake-oil gas plugs are for the

Abundance of Caution

people.

[peppermintman]

[QUOTE=highpower790;27534644]How many glasses of Gallo were consumed?...[/QUOTE
I was given an odd look lol. He says give me your rifle and shoot mine.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by peppermintman

My wife hung out with his wife while Tom and I talked while he looked over my M1 in the garage. Good thing I had family in Fresno, i forgot how far Fresno was from the IE.
I still laugh when I think about my spotter asking me if I was shooting at the right target. After he did his magic my M1 is a really good shooter.

Yep. His wife made fine leather shooting jackets

[Mustang]

The story about my Tom Luhman prepped JCG match rifle is kinda funny. I put in my first CMP Garand order for a Service Grade. CMP advised that they were temporarily out of the SG's. Out of fear that it might not be so "temporary", I immediately ordered a FG and a SG barreled receiver. I also left my SG order pending with CMP.

The FG that I got was a nice January, 1944 (2.5 million serial number) SA with an SA January, 1944 barrel, which I assumed to be original. The barrel was in good shape, with a muzzle gauge reading of around "1.5" on the CMP gauge. It also came with other period correct parts, although, of course, there is no way of knowing if they are original. The FG is a pretty good shooter itself.

The SG barreled receiver came with an "as new" 2-63 SA barrel. I "asked Orest" in the CMP forum about this barreled receiver. He replied that it likely was from a group of barreled receivers that CMP received that appeared to have been re-parked with new barrels, but never completed as complete rifles. At any rate, I eventually glommed a "woodless Dane" from CMP and had Tom Luhman complete the rifle as a "John C Garand Match" rifle using a new CMP stock. It is a great shooter.

Eventually, CMP started shipping SG's again and I got the SG also.

[brianm767]

I use.
Target Sports.
PSA
CMP

[Nardo1895]

Originally Posted by Mustang

Tom Luhman from TLC Gunworks in Clovis assembled a very nice John C Garand Match rifle for me years ago. A fine Garand-smith and a real gentleman.

Tom is no longer in Clovis. I think he moved to Idaho. Not sure if he's still in the business.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Nardo1895

Tom is no longer in Clovis. I think he moved to Idaho. Not sure if he's still in the business.

Thanks for the update.

[Mustang]

TargetsportsUSA just got some S&B Garand ammo back in stock...

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/sell...ailBackInStock

[peppermintman]

RTI has some Korean M2 ball but it’s pricey. Is that ‘53 stuff corrosive?

https://www.royaltigerimports.com/pr...006ammo003.htm

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by peppermintman

RTI has some Korean M2 ball but it’s pricey. Is that ‘53 stuff corrosive?

https://www.royaltigerimports.com/pr...006ammo003.htm

This is actually US Korean War era M2 ball. I can't find where it mentions any specific date and the problem with "Korean War era" M2 ball is that is right in the middle of the switch over from corrosive to non-corrosive ammunition. Most arsenals switched to non corrosive M2 ball in 1951 to 1952.

But those arsenals were still making corrosively primed 30.06 AP until 1953-1954. Can anyone really be sure that AP primers weren't sometimes used in M2 ball production?

The other problem is that the RTI ammo is $85 for 48 rounds--$1.80 a round before shipping. Pretty high for 70 year old imported M2 ball.

Here is a link to a chart that lists the change over dates for US ammunition production from corrosive to non-corrosive priming.

http://www.odcmp.org/1101/usgi.pdf