Garand shooters- what factory ammo is safe to use?

[Tokugawa]

I know about the Garand ammo issue- that the standard military M2 uses a fast powder so the pressure at the gas port is low, and that most commercial ammo uses a slow powder that can cause a high gas pot pressure and bend an op-rod.

So with that in mind, are their factory commercial loads that are OK with a Garand? I have plenty of Greek CMPammo, but would like a commercial load to try for accuracy, for comparison. (the Garand is shooting 2.5" eight shot groups at 100 yds with Greek M2)

 

[Gator]

2.5" eight round groups is outstanding! You have a great rifle there.

 

[heineken42069]

also i have read that some primers on commercial ammo can be weeker then the ones on mil spec ammo and because the firing pin actually lightly hits the primer as it loads it can be dangerious cause weeker primers could accidently go off...i believ i read this in the cmp book that comes with m1 garands...

the groups you are getting are great, i wouls not even mess with commercial ammo, stick to what your suposed to.

 

[strat81]

Don't mess with factory stuff. The groups you're getting are quite good for a stock M1. If you want to try to squeeze some more out of the rifle, handload for it. If you don't want to lay out all the $$$, see if a buddy will let you use his press if you supply the dies and components.

 

[Tokugawa]

Thanks, yes the rifle is shooting well. Service grade CMP- It has always done pretty good, but a bit of work has really helped to cut down on the fliers and stringing. It used to do about 4 - 5", with odd fliers here and there.

Here is a tale- i got a field grade Danish return from the CMP- it would string left to right, and up and down over about a 12" group at 100 yards. I was ready to send it out for a new barrel, even though an M2 round stuck in the muzzle showed about 3/16" of bullet. Figured I had nothing to lose, so I staked the gas tube splines, pulled the lower handguard and looked at the barrel channel and op-rod clearance. Had to take a bit of wood out, the op-rod was rubbing hard and the barrel was contacting the stock. Put it back together and it shoots
3 3/4" eight shot groups! I was amazed that those simple steps could help so much! Now all I have to do is replace the old springs ,have the trigger tuned, and recrown it- I am hoping it will shoot as well as the other!
These Garands are fun to work on, and reward some massaging.

 

[davera]

I have used limited amounts of Remington Express 150 gr with no apparent ill effects. But almost everyone will suggest avoiding commercial 30-06 unless you get an adjustable gas valve (Schuster or McCann). I have the Schuster and it was a piece'o cake to install and dial in. Now, I am quite comfortable with the Remington ammo - and can adjust for any commercial 30-06.

 

[Tokugawa]

Any other commercial ammo users? Any commercial match ammo OK? I know there are a bunch of Garand shooters here!

 

[GarandOwner]

I used to use American Eagle 150 gr ammo with good results as well as Remington UMC......now I hand load and get = or better groups

 

[mswestfall]

I'd be very happy with a 2.5" eight round group of Greek ammo.

I actually like the Greek stuff.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

the Garand is shooting 2.5" eight shot groups at 100 yds with Greek M2

What more do you want out of that war horse? 2.5 is incredible. What grade is your rifle?

 

[foghornl]

IIRC, the Federal "Gold Medal Match" ammo is OK to use.

 

[Tokugawa]

Bazooka, it is a service grade rifle, 1954 barrel and receiver. But it has taken some massaging to get from 4.5" to 2.5"- it always seemed to have odd fliers that would open up the group- some stock work , staking the gas tube, muzzle crown,and a trigger job have pulled in the fliers to the rest of the group. I think the stock work had the most effect- pulling the lower handguard so the stock to barrel and stock to op-rod fit is clearly visible was a big help in fitting the stock.

 

[JesseL]

You could always buy some M72 match ammo for your Garand (shameless plug ).