Any experiences with Olympic .30-06 M2 through Garands??

[Amadeus]

I picked up 40 rounds of Olympic brand .30-06 M2 ammo today. Since it was marked M2 I thought it would be acceptable for my M1 Garand.

Once I got home; however I saw on the MidwayUSA sight that Olympic brand m2 ammo is loaded to NATO specs with pressures higher than SAAMI rated ammunition.

Is this stuff safe for my Garand? If not what are my options?

 

[lmccrock]

I have no experience with Olympic. Also, there was a NATO spec for 30-06? New one to me. That is not to say that the Olympic ammo is suitable.

Try: http://www.odcmp.com/ammo.htm You still have to join a CMP-affiliated organizaion, but that is not so bad.

There have been reports that white-box Winchester and American Eagle (Federal) are suitable, and I have fired both from a Garand, but not in a few years. Now I shoot the Greek ammo or USGI M2 ball from CMP.

Lee

 

[George S.]

Even though it's only 40 rounds, I wouldn't risk it. You can find a lot of the Korean surplus .30-06 for around $5 a box of 20 that is suitable for the M1. My experience with Olympic ammo (.223) is that it is not very accurate at all.

I agree with the suggestion for buying ammo from the CMP. You don't need all of the paperwork to buy from the E-Store as you would need for buying a rifle. Go to their website www.odcmp.com and you can find all of the infor you need. You can send them an e-mail to ask any specific questions about qualifying for E-Store purchases.

I just got a 480-round case of the Greek HKP stuff in bandoleers and enbloc clips for $129 delivered to my door. It's supposed to be more accurate than the Lake City ammo. While the clipped ammo is sold out, they do have very large amounts of the 20-round boxed Greek ammo. I think it's $100 for 480 rounds plus shipping. And it's all reloadable!!

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I haven't tried that ammo. But I've tried Olympic .223. No scientific measurements, but my impression is that Olympic is noticably hotter than normal surplus and hotter than my reloads. I won't run it through my AR anymore.

Regards.

 

[trueblue1776]

I used oly, it was fine for me, but then again I never read into that suff.

 

[Amadeus]

Yes. Thank you all for your responses. I know about the CMP and I intend to contact them.

But what I am asking is if the Olympic Brand .30-06 M2 ammo will harm my rifle? I am less worried about accuracy. I just don't want to "F" up my Garand.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I've seen badly loaded rounds (excessive OAL, setback) in both Olympic 9mm and 5.56mm. As a result, I avoid the brand.

 

[George S.]

But what I am asking is if the Olympic Brand .30-06 M2 ammo will harm my rifle?

IMHO, it's not worth the risk. The potential may be there for excess pressure generated by a powder that does not burn at the specific rate the Garand gas system was designed for. Excessive pressure can cause the op rod to bend or break or at the least fly off the channel and come back at you.

As far as NATO specs for the Olympic loads, the Greek military used Garands that the US lent to them (now we have them back and available from the CMP). Olympic was one of the ammo contractors for the Greek military but the .30-06 military ammo should have been loaded to US specs for the Garand and not to NATO specs.

Be safe and give or swap it to someone with a bolt action .30-06. It's too easy to get "correct" milsurp M2 ball ammor for a Garand compared to the cost of another Garand or having to spend time in a hospital emergency room.

 

[Amadeus]

Thanks George. Well stated. I'll see if my friend with the Remington 700 is interested in swapping out the loads.

Or maybe: Could I pull the bullets and change out the propellant for some 4895? Same bullet, same primer, same brass, different powder. Would that work as an option?

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Could I pull the bullets and change out the propellant for some 4895?

Sure. Consult a loading book, but I think it's about 46 grains of that stuff.

 

[Swampy]

But what I am asking is if the Olympic Brand .30-06 M2 ammo will harm my rifle? I am less worried about accuracy. I just don't want to "F" up my Garand.

Amadeus,

Greek "Olympic" Brand commercial ammo has a poor rep in general, and the supposed "M2" 30-06 that they make appears to have a powder that is WAAYYY too slow for the M1 rifles gas system. Many users report a large fireball coming from the muzzle, indicative of a very slow burning powder...... Big No-No in an M1.

The Greek made military "HXP" 30-06 ammo, on the other hand, was made just for the M1 rifle, DOES meet USGI M2 spec, and is of excellent quality. It is accurate as all git-out too....

Just my thoughts,
Swampy

Garands forever