Just bought a M1 Garand, have questions about ammunition for it...

[oddball7465]

1.) I keep hearing that current .30-06 ammunition is too strong and can cause damage to the gun. Can someone give me a precise link to a page that gives detail on this?

2.) My Dad reloads, but most military weapons I own/fired have trouble cycling the reloads. Is this a problem the M1 Garand has, or should I be fine using reloads?

3.) Can someone give me a link to the specs of the surplus ammo that the M1 is use to using? The type of ammo it shot back in WWII and the other times it was being used? So that I can either start reloading, or have my Dad reload for me.

4.) I am a new M1 Garand owner, and if there is anything I need to know about the gun that I might now know. Please tell me.....

5.) Is it ok to use lead bullets?

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[mallc]

1. Yes the wrong ammo can damage the operating rod in your Garand.

Must reading for GAS RIFLE (M1/M14/AR15) type rifles.
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm

http://www.zediker.com/downloads/14_loading.pdf

2. Not if you follow the directions. Size and trim the cases and use the right powder (I use IMR 4895).

3. Pretty much just did.

4. Its a pricey round and all of your friends will want to shoot your M1.

5. A lead guy needs to answer this one but I'm thinking lead won't take velocity.

 

[jcwit]

Welcome to The High Road.

Many shooters claim thats not a good thing to shoot lead in a gas operated firearm as it will deposit in the gas system. I do not use lead bullets for this reason. Might try the cast boolits forum for more info on this. Yes thats spelled right "boolits".

With all of the above said, I've shot thousands of cast rounds thru my M1 Carbine with no ill results, go figure.

Good luck and enjoy that fine rifle.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Why reload when you can buy cheap (relatively) from CMP?

http://www.thecmp.org/ammosales.htm

Few hoops to jump through, and you'll have to wait 90 - 100 days ... but you can't beat the price.

 

[61chalk]

You can buy ammo from CMP.com...Its Greek ammo made an used for the M1 Garand while the Greeks had them on lease. The bullet is 150gr. They shoot good, but were never made for match shooting, so reloading your own will produce better accuracy. Some guys are reloading with 160 or 165 gr. bullets also, you want to stay below 180gr.

 

[jpwilly]

1.) I keep hearing that current .30-06 ammunition is too strong and can cause damage to the gun. Can someone give me a precise link to a page that gives detail on this?

No the M1 Garand require a medium burning powder so that the gas port pressure is within a certain range. Slow burning powders will make way too much gas port pressure imparting much more energy on the op rod than it was designed for and in time or maybe even with the first few shots you could damage the $200 op rod. The M1 Garand's action on the other hand is very very strong.

2.) My Dad reloads, but most military weapons I own/fired have trouble cycling the reloads. Is this a problem the M1 Garand has, or should I be fine using reloads?

Sound's like your dad's reloads (no offense) aren't designed for semi autos. Most of which is powder selection to provide the correct amount of pressure to the gas port. Some rifles have adjustable gas systems.

3.) Can someone give me a link to the specs of the surplus ammo that the M1 is use to using? The type of ammo it shot back in WWII and the other times it was being used? So that I can either start reloading, or have my Dad reload for me.

Suggested loading data for .30-'06 ammunition in MI Rifles follows:

147/150-gr. bullets - either FMJ or HPBT
IMR 3031 48.0 grs.
IMR 4895 49.0 grs.
IMR 4064 50.0 grs.
Win 748 Ball 48.0 grs.
Acc AA2460 49.0 grs.
AccAA2520 51.0grs.
Acc 2495BR 50.5 grs.
Hod H-4895 49.0 grs.
Hod BL-C2 49.0 grs.
Hod H-335 49.0 grs.
Herc Re-12 48.0grs.

165/168-gr. bullets - either SP, HP, or FMJ
IMR 4895 47.0 grs.
IMR 4064 48.0 grs.
Acc AA2520 47.5 grs.
Acc 2495BR 47.0 grs.
Hod H-4895 47.5 grs.
Hod BL-C2 49.0 grs.
Hod H-335 47.0 grs.
Herc Re-12 44.5 grs.

173/175-gr.bullets-M72 or MII8 :
IMR 4895 46.0 grs.
IMR 4064 47.0 grs.
Acc AA2460 46.0 grs.
Acc 2495BR 46.0 grs.
Hod H-4895 47.0 grs.
Hod BL-C2 48.0 grs.

180-gr. bullets - either SP, HP, or FMJ
IMR 4895 43.0 grs.
Acc AA2460 46.5 grs.
Acc 2495BR 45.5 grs.
Hod H-4895 44.0 grs.
Hod BL-C2 47.5 grs.
Herc RE-12 41.5 grs.

4.) I am a new M1 Garand owner, and if there is anything I need to know about the gun that I might now know. Please tell me.....

They are great rifles. They aren't fragile (save for the op rod and wrong powders). My advise, if you want to shoot commercial hunting ammo, is to get an adjustable gas plug. I'm a huge advocate of these. I reload for my M1 but can use slow poweders because I can adjust how much gas pressure the op rod recieves. Schuster Valve is what you need IMO. But the above load data should be plenty for you to play with and make great loads without it.

5.) Is it ok to use lead bullets?

I say no but others may be using them with no ill effects.

 

[Quoheleth]

I looked last night...ammo from CMP is right now running 120-180 days out. That's 4-6 months.

That stinks. I understand "why." Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Q

 

[rg1]

Hornady now makes some Garand-safe ammo. It's 168 grain match. Natchez Shooters Supply for one has them for $27.49 per box. item# F04H081170
Also Federal has started producing American Eagle Garand-safe ammo.
http://www.ammoland.com/2009/05/14/federal-ammo-for-m1a-m1-garand/

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite load for the Garand is 47.5gr 4895 under a 147/150gr FMJ/BT bullet.