Please let us know some of the sellers. I have not seen M1 Garand specific ammo for under $1.00 per round since 2014.
M-1 Ammo: A Question?
- Thread starter Redcoat3340
- Start date
Current prices that I find for M1 ball is all greater than $1.25 per round.
boatbum101
Member
Nothing slower than IMR 4064 . I shoot cast in a bunch of older milspecs including 6.5 x 55 , 7.5 Swiss , 7.62 x 54 , 30/06 & 303 . I use H4895 in all & it'll work with jacketed also .
With a chrony and my M1905 rifle..........
I have found that Factory 30-06 ammo is too hot to be used in the M-1
without the use of a plug.
However with powders in the 4895/4064 burn area, I have reduced loads
with 147 to 180 gr bullets that will work in the M-1 rifle with the correct pressures.
Either use Mil-spec ammo or get a plug to insure that pressures will be correct
to protect your M-1 rifle.
I have found that Factory 30-06 ammo is too hot to be used in the M-1
without the use of a plug.
However with powders in the 4895/4064 burn area, I have reduced loads
with 147 to 180 gr bullets that will work in the M-1 rifle with the correct pressures.
Either use Mil-spec ammo or get a plug to insure that pressures will be correct
to protect your M-1 rifle.
Please toss out a link to this, thats about $.75 cheaper per round than the floor I'm seeing.
bmcgilvray
Member
But, how do we tell from a chronograph that the factory load is too hot for the M1?
I use a chronograph too, but it doesn't measure port pressure.
It's also possible to assemble handloads with certain propellants that yield relatively low velocities yet still induces violent ejection.
I use a chronograph too, but it doesn't measure port pressure.
It's also possible to assemble handloads with certain propellants that yield relatively low velocities yet still induces violent ejection.
Not if they have the correct burn rate for the M-1 rifle and are listed
in a respected manual.
For all of you who insist on using commercial ammo in your Garand. It's long winded, but op rod velocity comparison hi-speed video begins at the 7 minute mark.
My apologies if this has been shared already and I missed it.
The M1 Garand - Is Commercial Ammo Safe? - YouTube
My apologies if this has been shared already and I missed it.
The M1 Garand - Is Commercial Ammo Safe? - YouTube
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2021
- Messages
- 4,651
- Reaction score
- 7,908
One issue to consider is the OD of the piston on Op Rod. Many many M-1s have small worn pistons that allow quite a bit of gas to go around. They cycle slower. Have seen some in the past that were really Bad. IMHO, I will only use GI ammo.
OOPS!
Another thing to watch for is a "half moon" scrape from the ejector on the case head. This also indicates pressure issues with the powder burn rate/timing! :0
Just wish I could find some IMR/H4895!
Another thing to watch for is a "half moon" scrape from the ejector on the case head. This also indicates pressure issues with the powder burn rate/timing! :0
Just wish I could find some IMR/H4895!
Last edited:
I don't shoot my one and only Garand an awful lot.
But I do only use milsurp ammo. I also have a Shuster (sp?) gas plug in it and I do like it.
It's not a big bother to use, I don't think I have re-adjusted it since I orig set it up when I put it on maybe 15yrs ago.
The allen wrench is still stuck in one of the sling keepers if I ever need it.
That only took 3 rds to do and the rifle ejects very nicely. Round after round in the same spot just a couple feet out and forward.
It's a range toy, Shoots paper and they never get away.
No plans on going to Camp Perry.
Makes neat ping noise every 8 rds.
I do reload and for 30-06 for a dozen other such calibered rifles.
But I won't be for the Garand for a while. At least till the Milsurp stuff I have runs dry.
Should'a bought more cans of the stuff when it was $69.95 / 440rds
But I do only use milsurp ammo. I also have a Shuster (sp?) gas plug in it and I do like it.
It's not a big bother to use, I don't think I have re-adjusted it since I orig set it up when I put it on maybe 15yrs ago.
The allen wrench is still stuck in one of the sling keepers if I ever need it.
That only took 3 rds to do and the rifle ejects very nicely. Round after round in the same spot just a couple feet out and forward.
It's a range toy, Shoots paper and they never get away.
No plans on going to Camp Perry.
Makes neat ping noise every 8 rds.
I do reload and for 30-06 for a dozen other such calibered rifles.
But I won't be for the Garand for a while. At least till the Milsurp stuff I have runs dry.
Should'a bought more cans of the stuff when it was $69.95 / 440rds
LVSteve
Member
The indication I look for with regard to the pressure curve is tweaked case rims. This happens when the pressure is still high in the case while the extractor is trying to pull it out of the chamber. Oddly enough this can lead to weak ejection on a FAL as the bolt gets slowed down a lot. This has fooled some into adjusting the gas to drive the mechanism harder. Not good. When the pressure and/or gas adjustment are way off, the case head can be ripped off. I only recently acquired a Garand so (hopefully) I won't make the same mistakes.
From the CMP: Rifle Sales - Civilian Marksmanship Program
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
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
Faulkner
Member
The CMP notice is certainly worth taking note of. That's why when I shoot commercial ammo I use 150 grain bullets.
I first hunted with an M1 rifle about 25 years ago and I've taken several whitetail deer and feral hogs plus a couple of coyotes. For hunting, I use Remington Core Lokt 150 grain .30-06 ammo and have never had any indication of a problem.
Lugging a M1 rifle with a couple of clips of ammo to the deer woods causes me to have a great deal of respect for those who carried one to battle.
I first hunted with an M1 rifle about 25 years ago and I've taken several whitetail deer and feral hogs plus a couple of coyotes. For hunting, I use Remington Core Lokt 150 grain .30-06 ammo and have never had any indication of a problem.
Lugging a M1 rifle with a couple of clips of ammo to the deer woods causes me to have a great deal of respect for those who carried one to battle.
Attachments
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2021
- Messages
- 4,651
- Reaction score
- 7,908
WWII GI’s were usually around 5’10”,120 pounds or less which is something to consider when carrying a M-1 these days. They also carried a 1928 pack with rations, extra clothing and toiletries. Marines had their Haversack with same stuff. Then consider 3-6 + M-2 Frags( heavy) and Cartridge belt with 10 clips( yes , correct name)of M-2 ball. Then 2 metal canteens of water plus extra bandoliers of M-2 ball , demo charges, field phone or whatever Sarge gave them to carry.
pantannojack
US Veteran
I began the M1G study late 1980's. I scored a prime rebuilt example. new bbl, NM op rod, 1'2 min NM rear sight, TIGHt bedding, then luckly fell into two dedicated guys wanting to form a four man team. I made it with one other. they grabbed me kicking and screaming thru every weekend firing reduced NM targets in prep for entering the real game, National Match High Power Rife. The prefered at the time was M1A, but with my lower budget I stuck with the Garand. It performed very well, expert scores of 89% +, but just not enough to gain Distinguished points. the load, LC brass, 46g IMR or H 4895, 168g Sierra, F210 Match primer, 2460 fps. the gas system bleeds some off but you want a long living gun in this game. I love the Garand with the "ping" and found a way to easily load the 2 round block for the 2 & 8 rapid fire stage.
