m1 garand ammunition

[ironsniper1]

im currently reading about the m1 garand and i see two things when it comes to ammunition for the m1. 1.it costs alot and supply is running low due to it not being made any more and 2.some places say its not safe to shoot commercial ammunition in it.

while googling i found this link here http://www.garandgear.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106:shooting-commercial-ammunition-in-your-m1-garand&catid=39 and was wondering if anyone has the gas screw mentioned in the article and does it really do what it says? im only asking cause im saving up for a m1 and dont want to be held down to one brand of ammunition that costs an arm and a leg.

[pcrc11]

Have a friend that has over 100 Garands and he says using commercial ammo is not an issue. I wont shoot it mine though. I got 192 rds of military on enbloc clips last year from CMP for 96.00. I think they may be out of it now, but they should have something available in that price range.

[Garufa]

The M1 was designed to use M2 ammunition. It runs at a lower pressure than commercial 30-06. Adjustable gas plugs are widely available to facilitate use of commercial ammo.

The rifle can handle anything but do you want to risk damaging the operating rod? They are not inexpensive.

Edited April 1, 2012 by Garufa

[DaveTN]

Check in here:

http://forums.thecmp.org/

I don’t shoot commercial ammo in mine. I have been through a bunch of the HXP without any problems. I’m hanging onto my Lake City.

[Dave Shooter]

A good reason to take up reloading.

[Mike.357]

IIRC the paperwork that comes with a Garand from CMP states that bullets be 158 grains or less to safely shoot.

Privi and Federal make 150 grain ball ammo. It looks identical to milsurp M2 ball ammo, recoil feels the same too. I have shot a lot of the Privi and some of the Federal through my Garand. Seemingly with no ill effect. My op rid looks normal, the rifle cycles fine.

[Tempest455]

Ditto on Priv. I shoot that with a Schuster plug in one and M2 ball in the other.

[NRA]

M1 Garand food http://www.ammogarand.com/3006ammo.html

[Caster]

Yeah man, you need a press and some dies. DLM can hook you up with all you need to crank out as much you want to feed that ole garand.

[GKar]

CMP currently has Greek HXP surp 200 rnds for $98 (packed loose in a .30 cal ammo box).

Edited April 2, 2012 by GKar

[ironsniper1]

do any of reload m1 or mosin ammo and if so do you save any money at all?

[Tempest455]

do any of reload m1 or mosin ammo and if so do you save any money at all?

90% of Mosin ammo is steel case.

[LngRngShtr]

Luke, Most don't reload to save money but it does usually mean more ammo per dollar so you can shoot more sort of a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 in cost differences.

For me it is more of a "tuned to the particular firearm" sort of thing and in the case of the M-1 Garand because modern ammo has an issue with the pressure curve causing pressure problems at the gas port out by the muzzle and said pressure being hard on the designs operating rod there are lists of proper powder to use, the GI being a 150 gr. bullet with enough IMR 4895 to get to 2700-2750 fps. the CMP ammo which is spec groups are considerably larger than my handloads I have tuned to my particular M-1 this load doesn't shoot well in my 1903A3s or my A4 which have their own developed load to optimize consistent results when used with that particular rifle.

My M1917 Enfield is another story entirely yep it is .30-06 but I have yet to find what it likes best, that is the other fun part of reloading all the possible combinations of bullet,powder and primers which mix will work ? groups will shrink and just when you think you have "the load" they open back up and you start again, or a Mfg. discontinues a particular powder or bullet ( load long enough and it will happen to you) and you get to start over again so Keep Good Notes for every combination you make, like a cookbook.

I also use a 168 Sierra MatchKing with IMR 4064 with good results in the M-1 I wouldn't go any heavier than a 175 gr bullet though and the 168 Hornady A-Max is a possible contender also..

Also it allows you to shoot things they don't make ammo for anymore, ever see a .401 Herters Powermag ? or a .44 Auto Mag or some sweeet older varmint rifles in some odd wildcat caliber like 6mm/.223 or if you want to run .300 BLK without taking out a mortgage I am told this is an option of resizing .223 brass

New reloadable7.62 x 54R brass is expensive ( not sure of the status of reloadable factory ammo like Sellier & Bellot ) but It should last a longer time in a bolt gun, the M-1 is a bit tough on brass maybe with an adjustable plug it isn't so bad but I have no experience with them.

Hope this helps.

John

[East_TN_Patriot]

I don't currently reload for the M1 Garand, but I will as soon as my current supply of surplus ball ammo dwindles (I'm saving up my spent brass for that purpose). At .50 - $1 per round for loaded ammunition, it makes total sense to reload. You can pick up a nice Lee Classic Turret Press kit for a little more than $100 and save that much after a very short time. Lee also has some less expensive single stage presses.

[dlm37015]

i load mine with 175 grain match bullets from pulled sniper ammo i use 846 powder which has the same burn rate as imr4895 it gets my cost per round down to less than 20 cents

[ironsniper1]

I love how much information you all have I'm always learning something new about firearms! Thanks for the advice all!!