Garand ammo

[Pine Ridge Puma]

Was visiting with another Garand owner and the subject of ammo came up.  I have shot various loads and bullet weights with mine, although not a huge amount,  but he maintains that only fodder designed for the rifle is recommended.   I notice that my latest edition of the Hornady reloading manual lists the middle weight bullets, which is what I generally shoot.   Other thoughts on this subject from other owners?

[hogfamily]

There is volumes written pro and con on using non "Garand ammo".

The M1 owners manual from the CMP says not to use any bullet weight above 180grns.

There seems to always be a discussion about M1 ammo on the Garand FB groups.

I just posed a similar question on the CMP forum. Lots of opinions but little actual facts.

[cwcdl79]

As a rather cautious person by nature, I'd rather not risk it. I stick with bullet weight and powder in garand safe pressure curve. Andfor the cost of new s&b garand ammo, why not?

[Maximum Ordinate]

There is volumes written pro and con on using non "Garand ammo".

The M1 owners manual from the CMP says not to use any bullet weight above 180grns.

There seems to always be a discussion about M1 ammo on the Garand FB groups.

I just posed a similar question on the CMP forum. Lots of opinions but little actual facts.

When I need info on reloading for the Garand, I look to Master Po's Temple.  These are tried and true recipes.   

Start a grain or so lower than these recipes and work your way up.   

[TomM1Thumb]

Has anyone tried this Winchester ammo?  https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019732810/winchester-limited-edition-wwii-victory-series-commemorative-ammunition-30-06-springfield-m1-garand-150-grain-full-metal-jacket-flat-base?utm_source=new-arrival&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main-image-link&utm_campaign=winchester-wwiivictory-3006-ammo  , Please let Me know what You think of it.

[Energizer Bunny]

Asking about Garand ammo starts a debate similar to Ford vs Chevy in my opinion.  I for one see no reason to beat the rifle (or myself) up with hot loads.   I typically load in the middle of the road myself.  However, I know lots of people, especially on the CMP forums, load 110 and 125 grain bullets in their Garands with great success.  One these days I'll get around to trying it myself.  Heck, I've even heard about people using cast bullets in their Garands successfully as well.  Those loads are certnaily not USGI spec ammo for the Garand, but that doesn't mean their bad. 


As for the Winchester ammo, I haven't tried it but it's a marketing gimmick in my book.  If you like the looks of the boxes go for it but if you want Garand specific commercial ammo there are certainly cheaper options on the market.  $1.20 plus shipping for a round of FMJ ammo is a bit steep for me but I'm a cheapskate too.   

[The Wolfhound]

SGAmmo.com has Ethiopian Garand Ammo  on special until it runs out

[2 clicks low]

As I am almost out of HPX I am shooting many more reloads. I try to match M2 ball specs as that is what I have shot for years and I know my come ups for that ammo. As I don't hunt with this rifle I find no need to work up a soft point load.

Think of it this way, the Garand and M2 Ball were designed for each other. Why mess with a good thing?

2 clicks low

PS .145 per bullet, .03 primer and .12 power aint so bad.

[hogfamily]

My son and I have been using PPU with good results.
Son Travis used it to earn his KD patch shooting his M1 at the CMP range.

TSUSA has it for .64 cents a rd delivered. 8% less for Prime members.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi-partizan-30-06-m1-garand-ammo-150-grain-fmj-500-rds-ammocan-p-3573.aspx

[Energizer Bunny]

hogfamily,

How much does the prime take of 22lr ammo?  Or is ammo normally around 8% off most items-trying to decide if the prime membership would be worth the cost of admission?  I really need to replunish plinking ammo, and maybe some mid-priced ammo for 100 yard practice.  My M44US from the CMP loves Federal 510 at 50 yards and I'm out.  Thanks!

[PHenry]

It's boils down to two concerns. First, the M1 is of course a gas gun and as such, like any gas gun without an adjustable gas system, it requires a very specific pressure range at the gas port, which is dictated by the ammo. Too little pressure and you get failures to extract or feed. Two much, and things get bent and broken.

Second, and the source of greatest concern is the "op rod", or operating rod. It's long, slender, oddly contoured and gets bent from excess pressure at the gas port. Once bent, it is done and must be replaced for safe, dependable operation. There are several great books on the Garand. Two are by the same author - Scott Duff.

I'd stick to M2 ball, or commercial ammo loaded to the same specs and listed specifically for use in a Garand. 168gr OTM is fine, so long as the powder / pressure of the M2 spec is maintained.

I do know that a standard Garand will shoot 7.62x51 match just fine, but don't expect to reload the brass.  Don't ask.    (Seriously - don't do that)

Disclaimer: I have repaired a number of Garands, taking them from paper weights to battle rifles. I have shot a lot of rounds through this rifle. This does not make me a gunsmith or even a Garand expert. Your mileage may vary.
PH

[Cable___Guy]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/187966/the-m1-garand-owners-guide-book-by-scott-a-duff

The book Trey is referring to.

[hogfamily]

Energizer Bunny,

Prime takes %8 of all ammo purchases.

Prime is $95 per year. With four boys, (and all their friends that we take shooting), along with ordering for friends it more than pays for it.
You can also get a Prime for one year and do all your ammo orders for the next few years.

The "free" shipping is on bulk orders. Our orders arrive in about one week to AZ. (Getting our ammo to AK is another story)

We recently received Aguila SuperExtra $165 / 5000 delivered. The Aguila is the most accurate of the less expensive  .22 in our Ruger 10/22s. 

[Energizer Bunny]

Thanks for the info hogfamily!  It's GREATLY appreciated.  I was caught with my pants around my ankles when 22 disappeared for a long time late in 2012.  It won't happen again!

[Gus]

I find reloading for the Garand fun and satisfying.  I like what EB had to say:

I for one see no reason to beat the rifle (or myself) up with hot loads.   I typically load in the middle of the road myself.     

I too am a middle of the road guy when it comes to reloading. I find something that is safe, reliable and suitably accurate. Then I stay with it.  I have a couple loads worked up where I'm launching 150 Nosler Ballistic Tips at 2600 fps and 168 Hornady BTHP at 2500.  Both loads are a 3 to 5 grains below maximum and quite accurate out of my M1. 

Where M1 Garand ammo is concerned reloading is the way to go.  If you're not already a reloader, then you may want to consider getting into it for your M1 Ammo if nothing else. Right now I can reload a box of M1 ammo for about $8 for 20 cartridges.  Makes it a whole lot more affordable.

Gus

[Redhead]

Late to the party here. 

Within the last month the CMP issued a new caution for Garands not to exceed 173 grains. 

My go-to has been the Nosler 168 gr CC HPBT, a little heavy but works well.  I tried Hornady 178 gr ELD-M and saw scratching on the cases so aborted that bullet.  I may switch to Hornady 155 ELD as they are close to the original weight and more than adequate for 600 yards.  Bullets heavier than 170 gr aren't really necessary until attempting 1,000 yard shots, and that's to have a bullet which stays supersonic to that distance. 

The other big factor in having a Garand-safe load is the powder.  A general rule of thumb is the heavier the bullet the slower the powder.  In the Garand, too slow of powder and there's still too much pressure when the bullet reaches the gas port.  A big, honking 220 gr bullet would simply require too slow of powder to be safe. 

If you're still looking for load recommendations, Hornady's reloading manual has a section devoted to the Garand and Hornady tends to be conservative anyways.  Hornady is the best on listing safe powders to use.  Sierra mentions powder speed concerns for the Garand but doesn't offer much in terms of specific recommendations.  Lyman or Nosler's manual fuggedaboutit.

[Charles McKinley]

I avoid Korean surplus.  it bent EZ3's op rod.