Ammunition for Garand M1

[BoySetsTheFire]

I have a Garand on order from CMP with 1 case of Lake City M2 ball. I would also be interested in trying some commercial ammo, possibly match grade ammo. But I understand that some of the commecial 30.06 may be too hot for the Garand and not safe. I checked some ammo sites and there is a ton of commercial 30.06 out there. But how does one know what is safe for the Garand M1? And why would some ammo be too hot, or unsafe for the Garand?

 

[MechAg94]

Do quick search for Garand and you will find more detailed discussions this subject.

The M1 Garand was designed for 30 caliber ball ammo. That is 150 grain or so bullets at WWII powder loadings. Many 30.06 loads use smaller or larger bullets with hotter powders that create chamber pressure significantly higher than that of the WWII ball ammo. Modern 30.06 rifles are designed to handle this, but not old surplus military rifles. I have heard that if you stick to near 150 grain bullets and velocities equal to military ball ammo, you should be okay. For me, there is plenty of surplus to shoot that is accurate enough for me.

Also, the M1 Garand was originally designed for a 276 caliber round and had to be modified to accept the 30 caliber that the army wanted.


Warning: If any of the above represents actual truth in any way, shape, or form, it is purely coincidental and should not be construed to mean the poster is an expert or possessing any knowledge whatsoever.

 

[kentucky_smith]

EDIT: never mind

 

[lacoochee]

Get an adjustable gas plug

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/855569

Basically, adjust it (full open) so that M1 acts as a single shot and then tighten until the rifle cycles reliably and you're good to go.

Helpful links

http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19666
http://www.ambackforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=146194&sid=26e52f723cbb035bf407887345fad11b

 

[Jmurman]

Stick with military loads for your Garand. Commercial loads could damage or bend your Op rod...not a good thing.

The ammo that CMP has is very good...also try the Greek ammo that they sell. I understand it's excellent.

I am working through 1,000 rounds of corrosive KA right now, decent blasting ammo. I got mine from Ammoman, came with en blocs, bandoleers and spam cans. I have just set up my reloading bench and now I "roll my own"

Corrosive ammo is fine as long as you make sure you clean your weapon immediately after.

 

[ChestyP]

Talk with high power rifle shooters...

Most of the "bent operating rod" problems with Garand comes from the use of heavy bullets (190gr+) with slow burning powders. Port pressure is too high (the M14 solved that by going to a cutoff and expansion system where the piston cuts off excess gas by closing the port in the gas cylinder as it moves rearward).

When Army chief-of-staff MacArthur order termination of development of the .276 Garand and the switch back to .30 caliber, the standard ball load was .30M1 -- a 172 gr boattail bullet at about 2700 f.p.s. The .30M2 was adopted among other reasons because of complaints of too much recoil with the M1 ball load. The M2 ball used the old 150 gr flatbase projectile of the original .30/06, but boosted the velocity from 2700 fps to 2800 fps due to improvements in powder.

 

[BoySetsTheFire]

That's great info guys, thanks. I ordered the Greek ammo from CMP. My intention is to keep the rifle in my milsurp collection, but to also shoot it from time to time. I would like to become proficient with all the rifles in my collection.

Based on the info obtained here, I will feed the M1 a proper diet of military M2 ball. Seems that's what the doctor ordered. Since consistency is important and variation can throw off accuracy, I'll just stick to that round until I learn to handle the M1 with a reasonable degree of proficiency. Thanks again.

 

[ChestyP]

Commercial ammo

in the 150-180 grain range won't hurt your M1. But as you note, with all kinds of surplus M2 ball available, why not stick with that. Chamber pressure is a little lower with M2 ball and that helps your throat life. Back when it was available, .30AP M2 was a great load, too. The longer bearing surface of the AP bullet helped accuracy. Back in the early-mid 60s, all the Marine Corps issued for guys armed with the M1 was .30AP M2.