30.06
- Thread starter CanadianAR
- Start date
In the US? Not much help to us up here unfortunately.
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
No!
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Time to start loading your own.
Its been a good 50 years since milsurp stuff was easily available.
Its been a good 50 years since milsurp stuff was easily available.
Winchester, Federal, UMC all make 150g FMJ that would work fine in the M1. Not the cheapest stuff, but if you are stuck it works.
The only bulk stuff I've seen in recent years is Greek Olympic stuff, and it was way too hot for the M1.
The only bulk stuff I've seen in recent years is Greek Olympic stuff, and it was way too hot for the M1.
"...been a good 50 years since milsurp stuff was easily available..." Never been easily available up here. You won't find cases of .30-06 ball at a gun show either.
Privi makes a 150 grain FMJ, a 168 grain HPBT and a 175 grain FMJ. Don't know if any if it is available here though.
Privi makes a 150 grain FMJ, a 168 grain HPBT and a 175 grain FMJ. Don't know if any if it is available here though.
- Location
- Virden, MB
I bought a case of hard ball 30.06 Korean ammo from Cabales about 6 years ago for my M1 Garand. Back when you could still bring it over the border. I would have been cheaper to load my own. That and about every 25 rounds or so I would have one blow up in my face. Seriously bad crap.
One thing to remember is the powder used in commercial ammunition to make the loads safer for older firearms use slower burning rate powders. If slower burning rates powders like IMR-4350 are used in your M1 it will bend your operating rod.
The M1 rifle in its military loadings was loaded with IMR-4895 and powders with slower burning rates will raise the gas port pressure and raise the chances of bending the op rod.
The M1 rifle in its military loadings was loaded with IMR-4895 and powders with slower burning rates will raise the gas port pressure and raise the chances of bending the op rod.
Korean M2 ball defects
Hey Mr Peanut. Maybe it was some of your blown/cracked brass that I was picking up on the Brandon rifle range when I lived there until a few yrs ago.This brass is identified by the "PSA" stamp on the heads. Some lots are OK,some are not. The old CSP Garand forum used to provide failure data by specific lot number.
A friend in Arizona had a good lot of this ammo and I found it among the most accurate ball ammo that I've ever shot.
Hey Mr Peanut. Maybe it was some of your blown/cracked brass that I was picking up on the Brandon rifle range when I lived there until a few yrs ago.This brass is identified by the "PSA" stamp on the heads. Some lots are OK,some are not. The old CSP Garand forum used to provide failure data by specific lot number.
A friend in Arizona had a good lot of this ammo and I found it among the most accurate ball ammo that I've ever shot.
I think the only way to go is, buy the cheapest American commercial 150 grain ammo you can find, together with a McCann gas regulator. Unless of course you reload, which I don't anymore.
- Location
- Virden, MB
Good chance. I am suprised I never lost my eyes firing that ammo. I only used 1/2 the box of 400 before I said fooey to that and just shot cheap Wally World ammo till I sold the gun.
Yes I sold my Garand. And for $500 bucks to top it off. I should just off myself.
I'm looking into getting a Garand myself very soon and had a few question that are along the same lines as this thread.
I've read a few things about Garands, you tell me which are true because I've read a few different things about them and I'm completely new to them:
1. They are tanks and can shoot any 30-06 ammo you feed them.
2. They should not be used with modern 30-06 ammo because of the slow burn rate which builds up the wrong kind of pressure and can bend the operating rod.
3. They can be used with (insert brand here) type of modern 30-06 ammo with no problems.
Please help!
Also, if they cannot be used with any type of modern ammo, and I cannot get any old stuff from the states, where do I get food for this thing?
I've read about the McCann plug, will that solve all my problems of shooting modern ammo?
I've read a few things about Garands, you tell me which are true because I've read a few different things about them and I'm completely new to them:
1. They are tanks and can shoot any 30-06 ammo you feed them.
2. They should not be used with modern 30-06 ammo because of the slow burn rate which builds up the wrong kind of pressure and can bend the operating rod.
3. They can be used with (insert brand here) type of modern 30-06 ammo with no problems.
Please help!
Also, if they cannot be used with any type of modern ammo, and I cannot get any old stuff from the states, where do I get food for this thing?
I've read about the McCann plug, will that solve all my problems of shooting modern ammo?
There any still several brands of ammo that guys have reported working well in the Garands.
My friend, who I was sourcing ammo for, has shot lots of new manufacture hunting rounds from his garand and has never bent an op-rod. YMMV
My friend, who I was sourcing ammo for, has shot lots of new manufacture hunting rounds from his garand and has never bent an op-rod. YMMV
Here
Actually I've been reading up on the McCann regulator, and another brand which doesn't have a bunch of parts (screws) to lose. Seems like a pretty good idea for anyone with a Garand. You can adjust the gas pressure for any ammo you use.
My next question would be, any place to get more than a 20-round box of ammo for a good price? Most places seem to be about $20-$30 for a box of 20. What about 500 or 1000? And where?
My next question would be, any place to get more than a 20-round box of ammo for a good price? Most places seem to be about $20-$30 for a box of 20. What about 500 or 1000? And where?
You are going to get plenty of anecdodal evidence about what commercial ammo is suitable for the Garand. The fact is that I've seen no commercial ammo that was certified for it,other than MILSPEC ammo which Federal made up for sales thru the CMP in the US.
The issue with Garand ammo is the gas system and the pressure pulse which is generated at the gas port to cycle the action. Commercial ammo is loaded with slower burning propellants to generate a higher velocity. The use of this ammo,or ammo with 180gr bullets,can damage the op rod. The correct propellants for the rifle are either IMR4895 or IMR4064(also the ones which produce the best accuracy). Reloading with these powders and bullets in the 150-168gr range is one way to go. I've fired thousands of rds of handloads with these 2 powders in many M1s with totally satisfactory results.
If you wish to use commercial ammo,another option is to consider is the Schuster or McCann aftermarket vented gas cylinder screws. I've never used these because I choose to reload for the rifles in the interest of accuracy and economy. Others have used these devices and can offer advice based on their experiences.
The issue with Garand ammo is the gas system and the pressure pulse which is generated at the gas port to cycle the action. Commercial ammo is loaded with slower burning propellants to generate a higher velocity. The use of this ammo,or ammo with 180gr bullets,can damage the op rod. The correct propellants for the rifle are either IMR4895 or IMR4064(also the ones which produce the best accuracy). Reloading with these powders and bullets in the 150-168gr range is one way to go. I've fired thousands of rds of handloads with these 2 powders in many M1s with totally satisfactory results.
If you wish to use commercial ammo,another option is to consider is the Schuster or McCann aftermarket vented gas cylinder screws. I've never used these because I choose to reload for the rifles in the interest of accuracy and economy. Others have used these devices and can offer advice based on their experiences.
If you are going to fire your Garand, I urge you to get one of the two types of pressure regulator Brownells sells, either the McCann or the Schuster.(as mentioned by Timberlord)
Here's a pic of the McCann with no jet screwed in. The jets are just allen key socket screws with different sized holes bored through them, like carb jets.
Note that you can see the head of the op rod gas piston through the hole.
You can make the rifle a manually cycled straight pull bolt action by leaving the jet out.
AFAIK, you can shoot any heavy bullet 30-06 load with that screw out, since it won't cycle the action and thus won't hurt the rifle.
Here's a pic of the McCann with no jet screwed in. The jets are just allen key socket screws with different sized holes bored through them, like carb jets.
Note that you can see the head of the op rod gas piston through the hole.
You can make the rifle a manually cycled straight pull bolt action by leaving the jet out.
AFAIK, you can shoot any heavy bullet 30-06 load with that screw out, since it won't cycle the action and thus won't hurt the rifle.
Last edited:
