M1 Garand Ammo

[GDM]

Question, what do you Garand shooters shoot?

Reason I ask is because I was at a range yesterday shooting my M1 Garand in for a pre-4th of July celebration with my Bro and his friend (bro is a emt who is working today). When we were picking up our brass ( I want to reload) a range master came by and started to chat with us. He check out the ammo and asked what I was using. I told him Federal 150 gr power shock, he said that might be to much for the rifle!

So, I understand surplus ammo is dried up, what alternative to Federal would be good. I do have several boxes of Remington 150gr core lokt, or is that almost the same.

[Rukus]

Typically I have read that modern ammo should not be used in garands. Try to stick to military surplus ammo that the gun was designed for.

Apparently the modern powders may be too much for the op rod to handle safely. They do make adjustable gas plugs which allow you to "tune" your Garand to be able to use more modern loads without worrying about damage to the rifle. The part only costs about $40 from Midway or the like.

Again, I don't know too much about Garands so someone may have better info than I do.

[trautert]

Surplus ammo is available from CMP.

[GDM]

Wow, Okay thank you for the info. I will check the CMP out.

[CSDGuy]

Surplus ammo is FAR from dried up... Just sign up with the CMP, and place your order for their M2 Ball!!! The M1 is a pretty stout rifle. I would imagine that 150gr commercial hunting loads that are in the 2700 fps range won't hurt the rifle much, if at all. Some commercial loads WILL damage the rifle, and that can vary from lot to lot, and therefore, it's not easy to predict which ammo will be OK and which won't. To be on the safe side though, if you're going to shoot commercial ammo, get an adjustable gas plug and make sure you follow the directions for dialing it in for whatever load you're shooting.

Federal Gold Medal Match, Hornady has an M1 safe load, as does Black Hills. These three are basically 168gr match loads. They're not specifically loaded for YOUR rifle, but they're pretty darned consistent for a commercial load. These WILL be safe for your M1 Garand.

Personally, I've taken to reloading and I'm using some well trusted recipes for use in my rifle. I'm quite certain my loads aren't too much for my rifle.

[Dr.Mauser]

It may take you a couple months to get it from the CMP, head over to a local gun shop and see if they have any surplus 30-06 ammo, its hard to find, but maybe you'll get lucky

[Divernhunter]

CMP has ammo designed for the M1. You can also get M1 compatable ammo from Hornady and maybe one other that I have forgotten.
IF you reload remember that the original ammo used IMR4895 powder. Imr4064 or Varget can also be used. IMR4350 should NEVER be used in an M1.

Using the wrong powder can/will damage/break the operating rod. All modern factory ammo(unless specficly loaded and labeled for the M1) will damage an M1 over time. If you cannot get the proper ammo it would be wise to 1)load your own or 2)have someone you trust load some for you.

[mauser98k]

i use Greek HXP.

[GDM]

This is why I love this form, thanks for the replies!

[Once A Marine]

When in doubt, use one of these: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...m_campaign=649

[tpuig]

There's often surplus ammo for sale on this board...

Might just want to get an ammo box dedicated to the Garand and keep the surplus stuff in there.

[Milsurp Collector]

You shouldn't use regular commercial .30-06 ammo in a M1 (Garand) Rifle. It was designed to use M2 ammo that has specific specifications. Using most commercial .30-06 ammo risks damaging the rifle.

Options:

1. Use surplus M2 ammo from the CMP http://www.thecmp.org/ammosales.htm or other sources
2. Use Hornady Match ammo designed specifically for the M1 Rifle http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tnumber=527621
3. Handload/reload ammo to M2 specs. The Hornady Handbook of Cartridge reloading 7th Edition http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=438424 has a specific section of loads for the M1 (Garand) Rifle. Handloading will give you the best combination of accuracy and economy.
4. Use an adjustable gas plug. An adjustable gas plug will allow you to shoot any type of .30-06 ammo, including all commercial ammo (if the gas plug is adjusted correctly). There are two types available, Schuster and McCann
   
   

   http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?tabid=9&categoryid=12513&categorystring=10636***10560***9260***12508***

   
   

   http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=44955/sku/M1_Adjustable_Gas_System

   
   
   

   http://www.mccannindustries.com/scope/parts.html

   
   
   

[Farquaad]

If you are desperate for a few rounds of Garand safe ammo I have some HXP surplus and I would be willing to part with 100 rounds of it or so for whatever the current cost of CMP ammo is including shipping. I live in the east bay.

[GDM]

Wow, gotta say my jaw dropped when I am reading this. I feel like a heel. I didn't realize I was abusing my rifle (then again I haven't put more then less than 150-200 rounds through her that were commercial grade ammo.

So my understanding is there is a lot of 30-06 out there, so i am happy and I am going to go the CMP; and the gas plug from my understanding is if I am using commercial grade ammo?

[mousegun]

John Garand's adjustable gas plug

Coupla comments: M2 ball supplies are not infinite, but they are the safest to shoot in the M1 rifle. When the supplies do dry up there are two choices: commercial hunting ammunition and reloads. In the event reloading is not practical, one will be forced to use commercial. A vented gas lock screw will allow this as has been posted above. In case this sounds like a "make do" solution, John Garand himself thought it up before the war was over:

Full patent here.