M1 Garand Ammo 30-06

Surplus ammo, if any were readily available would be an obvious choice, but I've not seen any around for some time. MFS made some 30-06 FMJ ammo, but again, it's been a while since I've seen it anywhere. However, when I had some about 20 years ago, I remember it as being quite hot and I had a few blown primers. Other than that, I think Hornady had some proprietary .30-06 ammo they were making. Right now, as far as I am aware, guys I know with Garands are rolling their own ammo.

Edit: Someone beat me to it...I was going to mention Prvi Partisan.
 
No experience with Barnaul either. Bullet weight is about right. M2 Ball ammo is 147 grain.
I bought a case of 500 PPU, mostly for the brass. I've gotten 5 re loads out of them so far with no signs of separating or splitting yet...
 
American Eagle makes Garand spec ammo, and I believe Hornady makes match grade stuff, but Prvi Partizan is by far the easiest to find in Canada.

Your other options are to reload, or to use other brands of ammo with an adjustable gas plug.
 
The issue with non Garand specific ammo is not bullet weight or brand but the velocity that it pushes your op rod. Garand specific ammo uses powder with an appropriate pressure curve to meet the original military spec op rod velocity that will not push it too fast. Pushing it too slow is not really an issue unless you're working up a handload (it'll just cause improper cycling) but too high will cause your bolt to impact the receiver and potentially cause cracks not to mention destroying the op rod itself (not cheap). If you would like to shoot random factory ammo not intended for a Garand, an adjustable gas plug is a must have alongside knowledge of how to use it. This will allow you to tune the amount of gas bled off at the port which will slow the velocity of the op rod itself. As mentioned in this thread, PPU and Hornady both produce Garand specific ammunition.
 
The best solution is to handload using either IMR4895 or IMR4064 and bullets in the 150-168gr range. There are caveats on reloading for a Garand.

Both Federal and Hornady make Garand specific ammo. I'm not familiar with the suitability of the Privi ammo.
 
Check the military specs for the M-2 Ball cartridge. Specification says a 152-grain pointed bullet M-2 backed by 48 to 50 grains of IMR-4895 powder, depending on the Lot, to produce 2750 ft/second at the muzzle. Chamber presures should be in the 48000 - 50000 pound per square inch range.

Huge amounts have been written about the unsuitability of the Garand rifle for heaver loads. In fact, the rifle was developed around the M-1 Ball load with the 173-grain bullet. John Garand himself thought that the new M-2 loading might be too light for the rifle, but testing proved him wrong on this count.

Staying away from slower powders in the M-1 rifle makes a great deal of sense, as it is guaranteed to have higher port pressures and that WILL put undue strain on the Operating Rod.
 
I recently tore down a large amount of WW2 surplus Garand ammo. Corrosive primers are a no-go for my .30-06 relics. I'm thinking maybe I should have sold it instead since the bullet cannelure presents me with an odd OAL loading it all back into x51 ammunition.
 
I am not a reloader - could I buy an adjustable gas plug, set it to its most open setting then shoot any modern load without worry? As long as there are no cycling issues
 
smellie said:
Check the military specs for the M-2 Ball cartridge. The specification says a 152-grain pointed bullet M-2 backed by 48 to 50 grains of IMR-4895 powder, depending on the Lot, to produce 2750 ft/second at the muzzle. Chamber presures should be in the 48000 - 50000 pound per square inch range.
Click to expand...

This, I loaded with a 150 FMJ Flat base bullet c/w 50 gr of IMR 4895. IMR 4895 filled the case to the shoulder, as it was supposed to. Shot well and grouped very well. FPS was around 2780 ish memory fails me..
 
M1911 said:
I am not a reloader - could I buy an adjustable gas plug, set it to its most open setting then shoot any modern load without worry? As long as there are no cycling issues
Click to expand...

Yes, It will work. I used one to reduce the distance the brass was ejected and the damage done the neck. But look at Federal(aka American Eagle), Hornady, Priva, and Sellier & Bellot, all loaded to M2 specs.

You can set up the gas relief to work with the brand and spec you're shooting. Two styles from ShusterWWII and Post WWII.

From Brownells out of stock right now $60 USD + shipping
SCHUSTER - MA ADJUSTABLE GAS SYSTEM
100-001-733WB
M1 Adjustable Gas System
 
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