I'm curious if anyone's tried a 180Gr. .30-06 through an M1? Most of the FMJ rounds I see are 180Gr., but some sources I've read suggest firing only 150Gr. or at best, 165Gr. through an M1. Is anything bad likely to happen if I use 180Gr.?
180Gr. through an M1
- Thread starter bdtyre
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NB.nagantsniper
CGN frequent flyer
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not if you reload so that the pressures stay within a proper range....proper powder selection is more important than bullet weight in the m1 garand , .....if wanted i have a fine article on that subject i can email you.
anyone can just ask /include your email ...................
anyone can just ask /include your email ...................
I have heard to keep the bullet weights lower than 180 gr. to keep from bending the op rod due to the different pressures created by the variance in bullet weight.
Maybe it can be done safely, but I wouldn't try it.
I think the M14's gas system can handle it safely due to the different way it bleeds off excess gas.
Maybe it can be done safely, but I wouldn't try it.
I think the M14's gas system can handle it safely due to the different way it bleeds off excess gas.
NB.nagantsniper
CGN frequent flyer
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please....ask for , then read the M1 article, i have, from american rifleman issue from 1986.........................the POWDER is the thing wich you MUST be aware of and use the correct type/within burning range .........not bullet weight.
incorrect or too fast or too slow burning powders will cause bent op rods or excess port pressure or failures to feed......lots of grief.......
never had a problem been shooting loading using that reference fer many years now. all weights up to 220 grain...........of course certain weights /powder combos work /more accurate than others...........
ok?
incorrect or too fast or too slow burning powders will cause bent op rods or excess port pressure or failures to feed......lots of grief.......
never had a problem been shooting loading using that reference fer many years now. all weights up to 220 grain...........of course certain weights /powder combos work /more accurate than others...........
ok?
The Garand was optimized to use 150gr ball and 165gr AP bullets with MILSPEC propellants.The last .30-06 Match grade ammo issued by the US Army featured 173/174gr match bullets. I have had no problems in using 168 and 173gr match bullets in my M1s in handloads featuring either IMR4064 or IMR 4895. These 2 propellants generate the proper gas port pressure for the M1 Garand to function safely and reliably,and are universally recommended when reloading for it. Slower burning powders,such as IMR 4350,H4831,and W760 work fine in a bolt gun,but generate the wrong port pressure in the M1 which can result in damage to the rifle, and possible injury to the shooter.Commercial ammo should not be used in a Garand unless it can be established that the propellant is of the correct type for the rifle.
IMR 4895 was the most common powder used. Volumetrically it filled the case to 95% of the cartridge.
150 gr FMJ flat based bullet
50gr IMR 4895 powder
GI issue brass
Military primers
Don't know the loads of the other bullets weights.
For the cost of 180 gr ammo, say $25, you will have $100 in repairs....
...Stick with 150gr bullets
Like all military rifles, stick to what they were designed to shoot.
Pete
150 gr FMJ flat based bullet
50gr IMR 4895 powder
GI issue brass
Military primers
Don't know the loads of the other bullets weights.
For the cost of 180 gr ammo, say $25, you will have $100 in repairs....
...Stick with 150gr bullets
Like all military rifles, stick to what they were designed to shoot.
Pete
If memory serves me right weren't the sights graduated for 147 gr. ball ammo at something like 2600 or 2800 fps? The sights on this rifle are awsome to say the least, at least the ones I've own in the past. Going to a 'way' heavier bullet will not only mess up rod & spring, but a very effective sight. No advantage gained I'd say.
180 gr. through Garand
I always used PMC .30-'06 150-grain FMJ (3006C) or JSP (3006A) in my M1, as they were loaded to exact Garand specs, and had no problems. I've got some of it left, but I too was faced with this problem. I checked with Winchester, Federal, and Remington regarding their 150-gr. hunting ammo and was told that they would not recommend using it in the M1, but they would not identify the burning rate of the powder.
Subsequently I checked with retired USMC master armourer Gus Fisher, who is revered in the National Match circles in the USA. He told me that the Federal American Eagle 150-gr. FMJ was ok, and that's what I will use when my PMC runs out. PMC is no longer produced. Another choice he recommended was Federal Premium Gold Medal 168-gr. FMJ boattail, which was loaded by Federal to Garand specs. I have tried that ammo and it is great, but at twice the price of the American Eagle.
The above-mentioned ammo choices are the only ones I will use in my M1. Remington UMC and Winchester white box have similar ballistics, but they weren't given Gus's stamp of approval and so I don't trust them. I don't reload.
Hope this helps. Gus often posts on www.jouster.com in the Garand/M14 area, and is great at answering questions. One day I hope to go to Camp Perry and meet him. Garands and parts are hard to find now in Canada, and I have a Remington 700 for shooting 180-gr. hunting ammo.
I always used PMC .30-'06 150-grain FMJ (3006C) or JSP (3006A) in my M1, as they were loaded to exact Garand specs, and had no problems. I've got some of it left, but I too was faced with this problem. I checked with Winchester, Federal, and Remington regarding their 150-gr. hunting ammo and was told that they would not recommend using it in the M1, but they would not identify the burning rate of the powder.
Subsequently I checked with retired USMC master armourer Gus Fisher, who is revered in the National Match circles in the USA. He told me that the Federal American Eagle 150-gr. FMJ was ok, and that's what I will use when my PMC runs out. PMC is no longer produced. Another choice he recommended was Federal Premium Gold Medal 168-gr. FMJ boattail, which was loaded by Federal to Garand specs. I have tried that ammo and it is great, but at twice the price of the American Eagle.
The above-mentioned ammo choices are the only ones I will use in my M1. Remington UMC and Winchester white box have similar ballistics, but they weren't given Gus's stamp of approval and so I don't trust them. I don't reload.
Hope this helps. Gus often posts on www.jouster.com in the Garand/M14 area, and is great at answering questions. One day I hope to go to Camp Perry and meet him. Garands and parts are hard to find now in Canada, and I have a Remington 700 for shooting 180-gr. hunting ammo.
MapleSugar
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Its too bad you aren't in the States and have access to the CMP program.
They have Greek HXP (and sometimes Lake City) surplus for a lot cheaper than we can get it.
The Greek stuff even comes on the stripper clips in bandoleers.
They have Greek HXP (and sometimes Lake City) surplus for a lot cheaper than we can get it.
The Greek stuff even comes on the stripper clips in bandoleers.
