A question about Greek HXP for the M1

[Tom609]

I had an interesting afternoon yesterday with the CMP field grade H&R Garand. Over the past few years I’ve had it out to the range maybe half a dozen times. I’d usually shoot an average of 48 rounds per trip. By that time I’d be tired of the poor and inconsistent results and I’d just move on to another rifle. From what I recalled, when I first got the rifle from CMP it seemed to shoot more consistently. Well, as I was packing up for the range I found only a few clips of opened ammo left and went into my stash to crack open a new can. The first clip that I fired through the gun was as unimpressive as I remembered. They were spread all over a 12 inch area, but the second clip stopped me in my tracks. Three shots in the same hole and the other five were within 3-4 inches of each other! The ammo that I had left over, the one that was inconsistent was HXP70. The new can was HXP69. Several clips later the trend held. I was very surprised that there would have been so much variation in the performance of the ammo from the two separate, but consecutive years. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced significant differences in performance from different years of manufacture with the Greek HXP?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't think the Greek ammo is any different than ammo made elsewhere. From what I've read it was common practice for those loading the military ammo to change components yearly trying to find the best combination. You rarely see much of a difference within the year but you will see differences from year to year.

 

[aka108]

I have HXP in 30-06 and 303 British. The 30-06 gives me 6 inch groupings at 100 yds and the 303 is a little larger. I use the brass for hand loading and the net result is groups about half the size. There is probably as much variation within a production year as there is between the years of production. Changes in powder lots, machine operators and machine adjustments can create a bit of variation and for the cartridges intended use match grade ammo is not required.

 

[Hacker15E]

Anecdotal evidence on the CMP forum seems to say that there are accuracy variances between HXP years, but there is definitely no consensus on which is best and which is worst.

Like a lot of ammo, it completely depends on the rifle and what does and does not work with it.

 

[P5 Guy]

I'll have to try that theory out, I have shot up most all of my LC stash and have '62, '67, '69 and '70 HXP up next.
Nothing beat the AMA I had way back then.
I'm just a plinker though.

 

[jr_roosa]

HXP isn't great in my Garands, maybe 3-4 MOA or so at 200 yds. Then I got a new service grade and it shot a 1.5 MOA 8 round group at 200yds for me on some function testing that I was doing. I didn't even bother to look at the group until I went to change the targets. This was probably HXP 78?

I've also found that my GI chambered Garands like 150 grain ball, especially Sierra's FMJBT bullet. The similar Hornady bullet performs poorly.

I have one with a match chamber on the way, we'll see if it likes the Match Kings better.

Each rifle is a little different and they will surprise you.

-J.

 

[Tom609]

Thanks for the feedback everybody. It sounds like it's a real luck -of-the-draw situation with the canned stuff. I've reloaded the brass for my 03a3 and 1917, but I'll have to try some for the Garand to really see what it's really capable of. As soon as I can find some 4895

Thanks again.

 

[Orlando]

maybe 3-4 MOA or so at 200 yds Really???????????? What do you expect for surplus ammo

 

[Hacker15E]

HXP isn't great in my Garands, maybe 3-4 MOA or so

3-4 MOA is military ball ammo standard.

Hell, the mechanical accuracy of a GI issue Garand is only about 1.5 MOA to begin with.

 

[skidooman603]

Yes If you have an issue Garand shooting 1.5 MOA you are doing well..A little trick to making the HXP shoot more consistently is (If you are a handloader) Run them through your seating die just breaking the Military seal and at the same time making lengths consistent..

 

[ball3006]

The HXP I have shoots better than the LC I have. I have some AP but I cannot shoot it at the range I belong to, so I have not shot any of it yet. I guess I will save it for the BH when they come....chris3

 

[HorseSoldier]

Twelve inch groups at what range? In close, that's just nonexistant quality control. At longer distance it might be some machinegun ammo (deliberately manufactured for looser tolerances to get a better beaten zone on the receiving end) that got packs on Garand clips accidentally or deliberately to save a buck (or drachma) back in the day.

 

[Orlando]

Thats a internet rumor, no difference between m2Ball loaded on enblocs and in belts for machine gun.One is not loaded any difference than the other, both the exact same ammo

 

[Tom609]

For the record, my results were off a sandbag at 100 yards.

 

[carbine85]

While I have had pretty good results with my supply of Greek 30.06 I was surprised by the difference in velocity between rounds. I get 100-220 FPS difference in rounds all from the same lot.

 

[Orlando]

You want the best accuracy? Weigh each rd and seperate by weight. Then roll each round on a flat surface looking for bullet runout. Set those aside to use for sighters
Your groups will shrink and flyers will dissapear if you do your part