30-06 ammo

[longhorngunman]

My father finally placed his order for a CMP SG HRA garand. I asked him did he get any ammo and he said no. Anyways he wants me to find him a good deal. Doesn't want to buy over 500 rounds for it. This piece is being bought as part of the family collection and he has other rifles to plink with. I've seen two different versions of Korean 30-06 at aimsurplus. Whats the difference besides the garand clips. Is the cheaper stuff corrosive. I know how to clean corrosive ammo but my father has a habit of forgetting to do those things and I don't want to have the bore of this magnificent weapon corroded. Any suggestions on where to buy or what kind would be appreciated. I've also heard don't shoot heavy bullets in the Garand.

 

[Kevlarman]

The Korean ammo that comes in clips in a bandolier is the KA headstamped corrosive stuff.

The ammo that comes in 20 round boxes is stamped PS and the general consensus is that it's non-corrosive. You can buy this non-corrosive stuff usually packed 400 rounds per ammo can.

 

[Clemson]

Honestly, the best stuff you can get is the Lake City ammo from the CMP.

Clemson

 

[George S.]

The "PS" stamped M2 Ball ammo is a vey good choice for the M1. It is non-corrosive and for milsurp ammo, is accurate and consistent. There are some lot numbers to watch out for. See this link for information regarding lot numbers: http://www.ambackforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=10552 This thread gets updated from time to time so you may want to bookmark the page.

The "KA" ammo is corrosive, but it works fine and is a great source for enbloc clips and cloth bandoleers. To clean the corrosive salts after shooting, you simply need to remove the trigger group, pull the action and liberally soak the bolt face and chamber with hot water or Windex with Ammonia. Wipe it off and then once you get the rifle home, just claan as usual.

M2 Ball ammo is a 150gr bullet and that is pretty much a standard for military .30-06 ammo. You should not shoot any commercial-grade ammo in an M1. The CMP offers Federal American Eagle ammo at the E-store but that ammo is made by Federal to CMP specs for matches. You can reload for the M1, but make sure you use the correct powder and bullet. The gas system is designed for a certain pressure range and powder with a specific burn rate. Both the PS and KA cases are reloadable.

The CMP Discussion Forum http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/ has a separate Ammunition section. You might try to ask if anyone in your area would be willing to split an ammo order. The CMP North Store sells smaller amounts of LC ammo but only for over-the-counter sales, so you would have to go there to buy smaller amounts.

 

[TexasRifleman]

+1 for the "PS" headstamped Korean. That's what I shoot in my BAR and it's been 100% reliable and very accurate. Non corrosive and can be found pretty cheap here and there.

 

[ocabj]

I just got my first 2 Garands from the CMP but I have no ammo, either. I ended up ordering a case of LC surplus from the CMP the other day. The only M2 spec ammo I could find locally is Olympic, but Olympic has a bad reputation for blown primers and torn heads resulting in stuck cases.

Just get the LC case from the CMP. 960 rounds for $230 shipped to the continental 48. No one has anything for better.

 

[Kevlarman]

Whatever you do stay the heck away from Olympic ammo!
It has been nothing but trouble in mine, and others', Garands.

I could barely make it through an entire clip without the case getting stuck in the chamber or having misfires. The muzzle blast on it is pretty insane though:

(I was bumpfiring it)

 

[longhorngunman]

Kevlarman, thats a pretty impressive blast there. The rusky mosins are about the only milsurps I've seen do that. Probably get the NC Korean from Aimsurplus. Have to get some other stuff from them anyways. I don't mind the corrosive ammo but this is my fathers gun and I know he won't clean it properly. I'm not there all the time so I don't want the gun sitting around with the corrosive residue. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Father Knows Best]

Another vote here for the PS headstamp stuff. I bought a case (960 rounds) of Lake City from CMP, and I bought 400 rounds of Korean PS from Sportsman's Guide. I can't detect any difference in reliability or accuracy. The PS headstamp stuff works just as well in my service grade SA Garand.

FYI, Sportsman's Guide still has the stuff I bought. Price is $89.97 for 400 rounds (20 boxes of 20 rounds each) in steel ammo can: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=70806. When you factor in shipping costs ($38 for CMP, $13 for SG), the cost per round comes out just about the same.