M1 Garand ammo

[BigEd925]

Hey guys,

I just bought a M1 Garand and have some questions about which ammo to use. I have asked many people and everyone has a different response.

Can I use modern 30-06 ammo in my Garand?
Are there any bullet grain limitations?


I have some Federal Power Shok 150 grain 30-06, would that be ok??

Thanks!

[EBR Works]

DO NOT use commercial ammo in your Garand. Use military surplus ball or hand loads that approximate military ball ammo only. Using commercial ammo not designed for the Garand can result in damage to the op rod or worse.

There is an alternative if you want to use commercial ammo here:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=412046

This device will allow you to use commercial ammo and keep the pressures appropriate to the Garand's well documented limitations.

If you can find it, this is another alternative:

http://www.gunreports.com/news/ammo/30-06_M1_Garand_Match_Ammunition_Hornady_455-1.html

[Saigon1965]

I found that out after I picked up my Garand - Now I am stockpiling Greek M2 -

[EBR Works]

Be aware that virtually all of the surplus military ball ammo contains some steel in the projectile and might be an issue at some outdoor ranges.

[Gunaria]

Do not use modern 30-06 ammo in your Garand.

[BigEd925]

Thanks for the advice guys, now where to buy some mil surp 30-06, I guess I have to send in paperwork to CMP. Anyone know of any Bay area stores that stock it?

[Gunaria]

Dublin Gun & Knives usually has some on hand. Also Tabor's in San Burno may have some too.

[Saigon1965]

Speaking of Tabor's - I stopped off there on Sat. - Had 4 C&Rs on the shelf - A couple of 91/30s an Enfield and sporterized something -

[tempdrummer]

Thanks for the advice guys, now where to buy some mil surp 30-06, I guess I have to send in paperwork to CMP. Anyone know of any Bay area stores that stock it?

Definently worth putting in the paperwork. They are almost 50% less in price then anywhere else online that sells surplus 30-06.

Order early. They are 60 days out on orders right now. I got 2 cans back in december. I just put an order in for 2 more just for the hell of it since the wait is so long.

[CSDGuy]

I believe Hornady has an M1 Garand safe load and I believe that Federal Gold Medal Match .30-06 ammo is Garand safe. Prior to Hornady's offering, the FGMM (according to the people at the CMP forum) is the ONLY safe commercial ammo to use in a stock Garand. Both are more expensive than M2 Ball. For the greatest safety, use an adjustable gas plug to reduce the stresses on your Op-Rod to an acceptable level.

Otherwise, you could remove the plug... and as a single shot rifle and no worries about the Op-Rod in this case, any commercial .30-06 load could be used then.

The Op-Rod is the weak spot in these rifles.

[ljdouglas]

Since both the Hornady and the Federal are over $30 a box, it seems that an adjustable plug is the way to go.
Anybody have any idea how you go about adjusting these things?

[EBR Works]

it seems that an adjustable plug is the way to go. Anybody have any idea how you go about adjusting these things?

Some discussion here:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291247

I have the Schuster plug but have not installed it yet.

[NorCalPatriot]

I think hands down, the greek surplus from the CMP is the best deal. It's all I shoot through my garands. Goes bang every time, no FTF's, and you know it's all loaded milspec. Whether it's in clips/bandos or in boxes, you can't beat the price or the piece of mind.

[Springfield45]

It should also be noted that some modern ammo has softer primers than surplus military ammo. The M1 Garand dose not have a captive firing pin and can fire the soft primers when the bolt falls into battery. This is a rear occerance but is a second reason to be careful what you feed your Garand. Reloaders can buy special primers rated for M1 Garands.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

It should also be noted that some modern ammo has softer primers than surplus military ammo. The M1 Garand dose not have a captive firing pin and can fire the soft primers when the bolt falls into battery. This is a rear occerance but is a second reason to be careful what you feed your Garand. Reloaders can buy special primers rated for M1 Garands.

'special primers' are not needed with M1 Garand(what do you think reloaders have used over the decades?)... as long as the reloader makes sure the primers are seated below flush and thier rifles are in good working order they will not experience a slam fire.... one way to insure the primers are below flush is to ream the primer pocket to a uniform depth. I mostly use CCI200 and n the rare occasion WRA. For my match Garand I use CCI200's as well as Federal and/or CCI BR primers.