Shoot it or pull it down?

[pacrat]

Today I was given a hundred rounds of mostly Denver ordanance and Lake city M2 ball 30-06 date mark is 42 or 1942 mfg.. Still in the original boxes. So pull it down or is it safe to run through a Garand? Are the primers corrosive?

What say you?

M1Garand became a US service rifle in 1938. Your ammo is 1942. 4 yrs is plenty of time for US Gov weenies to figure out how to load ammo for the M1.

Shoot it. Yes it is corrosive. So pour a cup of boiling water breech to muzzle when you get home. Then clean with brushes, patches, and oil.

[bigbossman]

To be fair, I'm entirely open to learning new things; I just want to see some proof beyond "because I said so".

The proof is the video....... which is pretty much "because I said so". Still not convinced? Watch the second video!!

Me? I'm gonna go paint some black and white squares on a piece of cardboard, and use it a backdrop to film my Garands firing is slow motion. Then I'll be an expert, too!!!!!

[BigBronco]

So I ask a simple question and this thread is so fun to watch.

[Jeremy2171]

So I ask a simple question and this thread is so fun to watch.

I agree... Cognitive bias is alive and well

[eaglemike]

One amusing thing here - the "true expert" has a real need to be frequently insulting. Imho true experts don't need that. A true expert can calmly and clearly explain, using repeatable experiments if needed.
There was a guy named Don McCoy, died a few years ago, known far and wide for building great M1 rifles. I knew a few guys that shot them, said Don told them there is an envelope" (my term) for good M1 rifle ammunition.
I worked with some guys years ago that gave advice about reloading for the M1, and their advice always worked.
I've also done some experimenting in the past, and I'm not going to claim I'm anywhere close to an expert. I will note the slower burn rates can cause issues in stock/original M1 rifles. One example might be a fairly heavy load of IMR4350 with a 180 grain soft point for hunting. Would be fine in a bolt gun, might be a little harsh on the op-rod in a non-regulated M1.
All you guys showing class and patience - well done!

[Jeremy2171]

One amusing thing here - the "true expert" has a real need to be frequently insulting. Imho true experts don't need that. A true expert can calmly and clearly explain, using repeatable experiments if needed.
There was a guy named Don McCoy, died a few years ago, known far and wide for building great M1 rifles. I knew a few guys that shot them, said Don told them there is an envelope" (my term) for good M1 rifle ammunition.
I worked with some guys years ago that gave advice about reloading for the M1, and their advice always worked.
I've also done some experimenting in the past, and I'm not going to claim I'm anywhere close to an expert. I will note the slower burn rates can cause issues in stock/original M1 rifles. One example might be a fairly heavy load of IMR4350 with a 180 grain soft point for hunting. Would be fine in a bolt gun, might be a little harsh on the op-rod in a non-regulated M1.
All you guys showing class and patience - well done!

Don was a great guy.. really glad to have met him about 20 years or so ago.

It's possible some really slow/heavy loads might do some harm.

But properly greased oprods/rifles and good oprod springs are the best way to keep your rifle in long lasting working condition.

[BigBronco]

The way I have always viewed factory ammo is that it for the most part is safe to shoot in all possible fire arms. Why for example would Winchester or any ammo manufacturers put ammo on shelves that could be a cause for litigation. Sure a Remington 700 can handle loads too hot for a Garrand. After all who has not worked up loads beyond manual data for modern fire arms. That is to say one could shoot 2 full grains over the book in a Ruger Redhawk that would be scary in a Tarus. 30-06 loads I make I will always use Garrand specific data within the safety zone.

As I am fairly new to shooting my 1944 Garrand. A link to proper lubrication would be cool also the place to buy a new spring. Yeah I watched the YouTube video.

Oh as for the vintage M2 ammo I will shelve it until I find a collector. I have no shortage of 30-06 brass or components.

Thanks.

[Jeremy2171]

The way I have always viewed factory ammo is that it for the most part is safe to shoot in all possible fire arms. Why for example would Winchester or any ammo manufacturers put ammo on shelves that could be a cause for litigation. Sure a Remington 700 can handle loads too hot for a Garrand. After all who has not worked up loads beyond manual data for modern fire arms. That is to say one could shoot 2 full grains over the book in a Ruger Redhawk that would be scary in a Tarus. 30-06 loads I make I will always use Garrand specific data within the safety zone.

As I am fairly new to shooting my 1944 Garrand. A link to proper lubrication would be cool also the place to buy a new spring. Yeah I watched the YouTube video.

Oh as for the vintage M2 ammo I will shelve it until I find a collector. I have no shortage of 30-06 brass or components.

Thanks.

Here are the grease points.



You can get good oprod springs from Orion 7 or wolf. I use both with no issues.

I recommend hogdon data over Hornady. Let me know if you have any more questions.. I'll be glad to help.

[BigBronco]

Is there a specific type of grease to use?

Brake grease, white lithium grease or perhaps Bacon (said in jest) grease?

[Jeremy2171]

I'm still using rifle grease from the 60s... however a small tube of wheel bearing grease or white lithium grease will last you ages.