SteveW13 wrote:
Hmmm... I didn't realize you couldn't use just any .30-06 ammo in a Garand. So, I can't just pick a popular hunting round to use for hunting, target shooting, etc. without checking to see if it can safely be fired in it?
Short answer..... NO !!!!
Shooting off the shelf commercial hunting loads in a Garand is a sure way to end up with a bent or broken op-rod.... in the extreme case, a cracked receiver heel. Bye-bye receiver.
The M1's ACTION is as strong as any... numerous endurance tests have proven that beyond doubt..... but the M1 has an Achilles heel... the gas system. The M1's gas system was designed to work within a very narrow spectrum of gas port pressure. The 30-06 M2 ball round was the ammo made to shoot in the M1. This load is made up of a 150 gr. fmj flat base bullet over military 4895 powder.
OF course, all USGI M2 ball is OK for use with the M1, as is any foreign milsurp '06 that is marked as being M2 spec. I've not tried the Korean, but reports on it are mixed. I've tried the Danish ammo.... GOOD STUFF..... accurate and clean.
As stated earlier, commercial hunting loads are designed to work best in long barreled turnbolt rifles.... using slow burning powders that will leave WAY too much residual pressure at the M1's gas port.
If you want to hunt with a Garand, you'd best handload....
The two main rules of loading for M1 Garands are as follows:
1) NEVER load with bullets HEAVIER than 180 grains
2) NEVER load with powders SLOWER than IMR-4320
Following these rules will keep you in the M1's "sweet spot" regarding gas port pressure.
Another course of action, also described earlier, is the use of an adjustable port gas cylinder screw. This replaces the GI gas cylinder screw and uses various sized ports that screw in & out. This will allow you to vent off excess gas port pressure in commercial hunting loads, thus saving your m1 from op-rod damage...
The only caveat with this system is that you must go through the "setup" procedure EACH TIME you change to a different commercial load, or even to a different lot number of the same load. Commercial hunting loads are seldom loaded with the same burn rate powder two lots running. As the burn rate of the powder being used changes, so will the the proper gas port screw for your M1 change.....
In light of this..... I'd suggest, when you find a hunting load you like, buy several boxes all of the same lot number....
Best regards to all,
Swampy
Garands forever....