Garand Ammo and Rifle Range

[SamGoldstein]

I'd like to shoot some M2 surplus ammo since its cheap, but apparently they either have a steel jacket or steel core. No rifles ranges here in Los Angeles or vicinity are okay with it. Does anybody know where to get M2 surplus that does not attract a magnet?

Also, even if I do get M2 that attracts a magnet, is there an outdoor range that allows its use around the LA area? I can't remember the name of a shooting range I went to in Angeles Forest (maybe someone does) but they may allow it?

Thanks for any info

[ke6guj]

most years of Lake City M2 ammo doesn't attract a magnet. You just have to look for it.

Most, but not all, years of the Greek ammo does attract a magnet.

the Korean ammo I had was not magnetic, but I don't know if that varies from year to year.

[mycrstuff]

I shoot milsurplus at Lytle Creek. Never had a problem there. Once we have enough rain Burro Canyon will allow bimetal jacket but not steel core. You need to call them first to see.

[Tanner68]

All the Greek HXP I have bought from the CMP does not attract a magnet. Ditto for the Lake City.

[pro-nra]

most years of Lake City M2 ammo doesn't attract a magnet.

Not true. Most LC are magnetic (I know this as I have over 10K of LC in my garage). Only a few years of LC not magnetic (I believe 1966 and another year or two). Some of the M72 are not but some are.

All the Greek HXP I have bought from the CMP does not attract a magnet. Ditto for the Lake City.

Same as LC only a couple of years of HXP are not magnetic but most are magnetic. Post the year of the HXP you mentioned that are not magnetic.

[NOTABIKER]

2 weeks ago lytle creek watched me like a hawk. one mosin owner had to let them cut a round in half. as long as it is not steel core they will let you shoot by metal i guess. they will check with a magnet surplus ammo. i had to shoot my match mosin ammo up at .75c a round ouch

[SamGoldstein]

Actually, to be more specific, I live in Thousand Oaks, so I was looking for something out this way.

The several outdoor ranges I called all said if the ammo attracts a magnet its not allowed.

[Capybara]

Actually, to be more specific, I live in Thousand Oaks, so I was looking for something out this way.

The several outdoor ranges I called all said if the ammo attracts a magnet its not allowed.

Not super close but not too far...

http://www.wcgc.org/

http://www.desertmarksmen.org/

Enjoy!

[6mmintl]

Pull the bullets and put in 150 grain speer hot cores

[SamGoldstein]

What a problem! I bought a garand to shoot but modern garand ammo is over a dollar a round and the cheap surplus can't be used at local ranges. Guess I own a wall hanger to use maybe twice a year!

Guess I'll buy that Mauser after all ;-)

[SamGoldstein]

Pull the bullets and put in 150 grain speer hot cores

I'd like to do that but I'm not a reloader. Space and time are the issues.

[Capybara]

There are options as outlined above. I bought 600 rounds of HXP with my Garand, but I also bought some of the CMP Hornady just for this reason. You do realize that you wouldn't need to become a full on reloader just to pull and switch out the bullets on the magnetic? I know, I am with you, I don't have the time and space to start a full on reloading bench either but pulling and reseating the bullets on the HXP would be a viable option. Have you taken the magnet to your HXP yet? Maybe you got lucky and have some non magnetic in your batch?

Once you get into shooting that Garand, you are going to fall in love, my favorite of all my rifles to shoot.

[pro-nra]

Only very early HXP (1964-66) is non-magnetic. I've gone through alot of LC and they have all been magnetic too. Surplus FN is non-magnetic, but haven't seen any for sale in quantity for about a decade.

Exactly my point. It is sad to see people put out the wrong information to fellow shooters about LC and HXP mostly non magnetic when the opposite is true. I've gone though just about all years of LC and HXP and only a handful of years (mid 60s) are not magnetic.

[IronColt]

sportsman's has some Iranian 30-06 that's non magnetic.

[SamGoldstein]

There are options as outlined above. I bought 600 rounds of HXP with my Garand, but I also bought some of the CMP Hornady just for this reason. You do realize that you wouldn't need to become a full on reloader just to pull and switch out the bullets on the magnetic? I know, I am with you, I don't have the time and space to start a full on reloading bench either but pulling and reseating the bullets on the HXP would be a viable option. Have you taken the magnet to your HXP yet? Maybe you got lucky and have some non magnetic in your batch?

Once you get into shooting that Garand, you are going to fall in love, my favorite of all my rifles to shoot.

I'm looking at those ranges but no info on allowed ammo at their websites. Did I miss it?

I have no experience pulling bullets and reseating them. I need training. Does it require special tools? I think that sounds real do-able if I can do it cheaply and easily.

I've not purchased any HXP yet because of just this issue: where can I shoot? So doing my research first, and buying AFTER I know I have a place to go. Have you got any non-magnetic in your HXP?

Just as an observation: I don't remember having this much trouble shooting steel ammo in Arizona (Ben Avery Shooting Range).