Ammo selection for the newer Garand?

[Tony50ae]

Hello all,

I see numerous threads for the Garand and its ammo. But my question is what about those newer Garands that you can buy from Springfield? The manual states clearly NOT to use surplus ammo but only commercial ammo. But it does not mention any specific types such as bullet weight and such. Now I know for sure that the newer garands use the same type of gas system so why did Springfield not mention care in ammo selection as well?

Anyone have these newer reproductions? I currently use federal American Eagle brand 150 grain bullet weight right now. I love this rifle and it also came with the a copy of the Army manual on the Garand as well as the Springfield operator manual. Pretty cool rifle and it shoots pretty darn accurate.

 

[Sunray]

"...The manual states..." They also say not to use handloads. That is a CYA liability thing. If a shooter uses handloads that weren't loaded properly and blows up the rifle, SA Inc. can't be sued because they told him not to use handloads. Likewise if a shooter uses corrosive milsurp and the rifle rusts due to poor maintenance, SA Inc. is covered. The manual says use ONLY milspec ammo. It doesn't say not to use milsurp ammo.
Not using other people's reloads is a good idea though. You have no idea if the loader knew what he was doing or what powder he used. However, 'slam fires' are caused by improperly seated primers. The hardness of said primer has nothing to do with it. Winchester primers have worked just fine in my original rifle for 30 years or so.
"...the same type of gas system..." Yep. I've never seen a rifle damaged by the ammo though.
"...Federal American Eagle brand 150 grain bullet..." That'll do, but you'll find the rifle likes 165 grain hunting bullets and 168 or 175 grain match bullets with IMR4064 and regular large rifle primers better.(CCI "milspec" primers are commercial primers that SA Inc. says not to use. They are a marketing gimmick.) 168's for distances up to 600 yards, the 175 grain Matchkings for longer ranges.
Federal also loads match grade ammo that'll do nicely. Cheap it ain't though.
The rifle was designed to use .30 M1 ammo with its 174.5 grain bullet at 2640fps, not .30 M2 ammo with its 152 grain bullet at 2800fps.

 

[Tony50ae]

Thanks Sunray. Hmm I have to double check about the manual. I remember it saying not to use surplus ammo but I could be wrong. I am not really worried as far as shooting long range here in Hawaii. The rifle range here is mostly 100 yards with a few select lanes able to go double that. Nothing super far there at Kokohead Range. Cannot complain though as it is free to use. I guess I will continue to use the 150 grain federal ammo as it seems to work fine and it is accurate enough for me. And being in Hawaii ammo is expensive as it is....lol. 14.99 for a box of 20. Hard to get bulk ammo here in certain calibers in Hawaii.

 

[GarandOwner]

I think you might be mistaken, it says only to use Mil-spec ammo and not commercial......at least thats what one of the new ones I got said.

 

[GarandOwner]

Just double checked, on page 5-6 of the garand manual is says only use military

The m1 Garand is designed and built to specifications to shoot U.S. Caliber .30 Rifle cartridge ammunition....The specifications for standard military ammunition indclude harder primers to withstand the slight indentatiion from the firing pin when the bolt chambers a cartridge this slight indentation is normal. The use of civilian ammunition with more sensitive primers or handloads with commercial primers and/or improperly seated primes increase the risk of primer detonation when the bolt slams forward.This unexpected "slam fire" can occur even if the trigger is not being pulled if the safety is on. Use of military specification ammunition will help avoid this.

 

[Tony50ae]

Thanks GarandOwner!

 

[GarandOwner]

For what its worth, out of my Garands:

The following are safe and have great results:

Federal American Eagle ammo
Remington UMC
PMC

Lake City surplus gets just as good of groups as the commercial in my rifles
Korean opens up groups by 1"-2"

When I measure my groups, it is usually after 24-48 rounds I feel it gets better use out of my targets, and helps me see how consistant I can be.