Questions on loading for the Garand

[Laphroaig]

The Gentle Readers might want to run some id the references and authors down as discussed in this article:
https://thegca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ammo-Part-3-article.pdf

Great post. The explanation of why high port pressures occur with slow powders is key. Jim Adell's observation on pg. 26 is the risk you take when you shoot slow powders and heavy bullets through a Garand.

I've been able to survive loading within the accepted range of powders and bullets quite comfortably. If I had to shoot factory 30-06 hunting ammo I'd get an adjustable gas plug to be safe.

 

[MEHavey]

I did... but I still go back to slower powders - increased performance - and apparently
"not insignificant" 20%/increased overall pressure -- increased bolt speeds - all within
SAAMI (commercial) loadings over that of M2-spec ball

How does one get around that ?

 

[1KPerDay]

This is a prime example of people who don't know much about the garand making a video full of misinformation. Then making a catchy video that "proves" the gun show myth they've always heard. They did no research and used one of the weakest loadings of M2 ball out there to "prove" the myth is really true. Then people who know even less than about garands than these two using THIS video as "proof" to win an argument.

Now go into these two videos with an open mind.. over 70 different types of ammo tested and data compiled for anyone to see. Compared to one M2 ball data point and the weakest loading of all the years at that.




The part 2 video duplicates the inrange video you linked above then fully debunks it.



.

Very interesting. Thanks!

 

[Jeremy2171]

Great post. The explanation of why high port pressures occur with slow powders is key. Jim Adell's observation on pg. 26 is the risk you take when you shoot slow powders and heavy bullets through a Garand.

exactly...reloading outside of established procedures.

If I had to shoot factory 30-06 hunting ammo I'd get an adjustable gas plug to be safe.

Why? factory ammo is already safe.

 

[Jeremy2171]

I did... but I still go back to slower powders - increased performance - and apparently
"not insignificant" 20%/increased overall pressure -- increased bolt speeds - all within
SAAMI (commercial) loadings over that of M2-spec ball

How does one get around that ?

If you are still asking that question after watching the two videos I'm not sure you paid attention. Especially the part where commercial ammo and milsurp ammo operate at the same pressure/bolt speeds.

Part 2 video specifically address the inrange video then debunked it.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Very interesting. Thanks!

You're welcome!

It's amazing what you can learn when you have MANY (70+) data points instead of just one. Paints a while new picture on what it is safe for a garand.

 

[1KPerDay]

You're welcome!

It's amazing what you can learn when you have MANY (70+) data points instead of just one. Paints a while new picture on what it is safe for a garand.

I'd like to see additional testing on port pressure and/or pressure curves as it relates to velocity of the bullet as well as the bolt. It was very interesting to see that some M2 ball produced velocity of well over 2800 FPS but with bolt velocity near the bottom of the range, like 21 FPS. Very strange.

 

[Jeremy2171]

I'd like to see additional testing on port pressure and/or pressure curves as it relates to velocity of the bullet as well as the bolt. It was very interesting to see that some M2 ball produced velocity of well over 2800 FPS but with bolt velocity near the bottom of the range, like 21 FPS. Very strange.

It's all in the powder they used and the US used different kinds not just 4895 (which wasn't the original load anyways..just one of the only ones still in use along with H380). What you are seeing is that the garand isn't as ammo sensitive as that one poorly done video makes it out to be.

In actual testing of commercial ammo they have similar port pressure/bolt speeds as milsurp.

Handloading however is a whole different story.