Warning from CMP

[hso]

Don't use ammunition the weapons aren't designed for.





WARNING!


Dear CMP Family,

The CMP advises to not use .30/06 ammunition in M1 Garands, 1903s, and 1903A3s that is loaded beyond 50,000 CUP and has a bullet weight more than 172-174gr. These rifles are at least 70 years old and were not designed for max loads and super heavy bullets. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle.

This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10).

Civilian Marksmanship Program

 

[SunnySlopes]

I've still got ammo I bought from CMP when I purchased my Garand. When I finish that off, I plan to replace the necessary Garand part which will allow me to use modern ammo.

But the name of that part escapes me. Operating rod?

 

[patmccoy]

Changing the operating rod won't help. Heavy bullets with slow powders cause the pressure curve to be highest at the gas port, thus putting excess pressure on the operating rod and bending it again.

Don't know why the CMP includes the 1903 in their warning, as the 1903 has no operating rod. Of course you are still subject to the laws of physics and max pressures can damage the rifle.

 

[Mars5l]

M1 spec 30-06 is hard to come by and not cheap. At least for me

 

[Jim Watson]

There is an adjustable gas plug claimed to regulate the action and protect the operating rod.
http://schustermfg.com/m1-garand-wwii-adjustable-gas-plug/

You should recalibrate for every lot of factory ammunition, they do not necessarily use the same powder and powder charge all the time.

 

[mjsdwash]

I just lectured a guy about this the other day. Not interested in what I had to say. Same thing about corrosion. The guy at the shop said it was M1 spec/Non corrosive. Pointed to the text of the M80 30 cal box it came in. Some people want to learn the hard way.

 

[mjsdwash]

Changing the operating rod won't help. Heavy bullets with slow powders cause the pressure curve to be highest at the gas port, thus putting excess pressure on the operating rod and bending it again.

Don't know why the CMP includes the 1903 in their warning, as the 1903 has no operating rod. Of course you are still subject to the laws of physics and max pressures can damage the rifle.

I think its just a matter of new 30-06 pushing into the barrel burner range, and fewer people interested in rebarreling, or more importantly, keeping watch on headspace.

 

[straightShot]

Burn rates and bullet weights are important.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Don't use ammunition the weapons aren't designed for.


WARNING!


Dear CMP Family,

The CMP advises to not use .30/06 ammunition in M1 Garands, 1903s, and 1903A3s that is loaded beyond 50,000 CUP and has a bullet weight more than 172-174gr. These rifles are at least 70 years old and were not designed for max loads and super heavy bullets. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle.

This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10).

Civilian Marksmanship Program

when read properly it says this..

They said ammo that is OVER 50k CUP AND 172 gr is bad.
However...


50k CUP is SAAMI max so ALL commercial ammo is under this.
In essence CMP just stated all commercial ammo is fine. Only the 172gr limit applied if it was OVER SAAMI spec.

 

[earlthegoat2]

when read properly it says this..

They said ammo that is OVER 50k CUP AND 172 gr is bad.
However...


50k CUP is SAAMI max so ALL commercial ammo is under this.
In essence CMP just stated all commercial ammo is fine. Only the 172gr limit applied if it was OVER SAAMI spec.

Maybe that is what they meant and maybe it was misworded. As it reads though, the interpretation you point out is correct.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Maybe that is what they meant and maybe it was misworded.

dunno..but it's been edited once already.

And what they say is.... don't shoot ammo thats higher than SAAMI spec. Which doesn't exist from the commercial makers...only handloaders will/can exceed that.

 

[SunnySlopes]

There is an adjustable gas plug claimed to regulate the action and protect the operating rod.
http://schustermfg.com/m1-garand-wwii-adjustable-gas-plug/

You should recalibrate for every lot of factory ammunition, they do not necessarily use the same powder and powder charge all the time.

That's it. I remember it now. Thanks.

However, I reload that caliber and there are specific powders that are recommended for the stock Garand.

 

[Jeremy2171]

That's it. I remember it now. Thanks.

However, I reload that caliber and there are specific powders that are recommended for the stock Garand.

yes...IMR 3031 to Varget range are all great in the garand

 

[hso]

Operating rod?

Nothing to do with the Op Rod.

You have to replace the gas plug with an adjustable one, but then you're dependent upon making that adjustment knowledgably to keep from blowing up your rifle. That does you no good with the bolt guns though.

It is important learn enough to select the ammunition within the tolerances of the rifle before you start buying parts it was never designed for.

 

[High Plains]

Hornady’s reloading manual shows service rifle M-1 Garand loads with Varget. It’s about 44 grains for a 150 grain lead core bullet, give or take a grain of powder. It happens to be a darn good load for my M-1, and produced a shot group a tiny bit smaller than the 168gn service load.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Hornady’s reloading manual shows service rifle M-1 Garand loads with Varget. It’s about 44 grains for a 150 grain lead core bullet, give or take a grain of powder. It happens to be a darn good load for my M-1, and produced a shot group a tiny bit smaller than the 168gn service load.

Its also anemic...you can't duplicate military loads with it either. I suggest using another source of data.

 

[Jim Watson]

The M1 rifle was designed for the M1 cartridge, a 173 gr boattail at 2640 fps.
Hatcher says with DuPont 1147 and 1185 powder.
Sharpe says 1147 was replaced by IMR 4320 but 1185 was never commercial, one of those government contracts, adjust for each production lot.
Sharpe shows 50-52 gr 1147 but Hodgdon now shows 48 gr 4320 would be about right for a 175 SMK.

 

[Jeremy2171]

The M1 rifle was designed for the M1 cartridge, a 173 gr boattail at 2640 fps.
Hatcher says with DuPont 1147 and 1185 powder.
Sharpe says 1147 was replaced by IMR 4320 but 1185 was never commercial, one of those government contracts, adjust for each production lot.
Sharpe shows 50-52 gr 1147 but Hodgdon now shows 48 gr 4320 would be about right for a 175 SMK.

And 4320 is now discontinued

 

[Jim Watson]

There are so many powders in that burn rate range, there is no reason to go without Imitation Army Surplus.
Even easier for 150 gr M2.

 

[Eugen]

I'm glad that the CMP reminded everyone that there are no trophies or prizes to handload 30 06 ammo at or above the limits for these grand old warriors. I don't shoot my M1D often, but when I do I stick with factory ammo designed for Garands or US mil surp ammo for the Garand. I handload, but I don't handload 30 06. If or when I do it will be with the proper powder and at charge levels to just adequately cycle the action.

 

[BCR#1]

So, shooting 110 gr carbine bullets w/40 gr of 3031 out of my M1917 should be safe to do?

Bill

 

[Jeremy2171]

So, shooting 110 gr carbine bullets w/40 gr of 3031 out of my M1917 should be safe to do?

Bill

Better send CMP an email...since they know everything...lol

 

[AlexanderA]

I see a market for commercially-loaded mil-spec M2 Ball. Why don't the companies step up to the plate?

 

[Jeremy2171]

I see a market for commercially-loaded mil-spec M2 Ball. Why don't the companies step up to the plate?

Some do..but there is no real need for it. Rem Corelokt 150s are a great substitute. Or 165s or 180s and even 220s should you want to go after bear.

 

[230RN]

Didn't they have some trouble with grenade launching blanks bending the operating rod and occasionally cracking the rear of the receiver?

I'm wondering if I read that in :"The Book Of The Garand."