M1 Garand ammo question

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elvis3006

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what is the safest acceptable grain load for firing through the M1 Garand rifle? if using modern manufactured ammo. i have heard 147 to 150 gr, thank you.
 
i've used upto and including 180gr for hunting, three to site it in and one/two to drop the animal.
have since switched to using 155-168 for hunting
150 for target and plinking
 
from what I understand its the powder, not the bullet. IMR 4895 was apparently developed for the M1, it is a medium burning powder. Modern factory ammunition is loaded with slower powders to reduce breach pressure, this will create a higher pressure at the gas port on the M1 which can cause excessive battering of the oprod and bolt. Some people say too much factory ammo in a Garand will bend the oprod, so I picked up a Mccann gas plug from Brownells, it uses jets to bleed off excess gas pressure from the system so you can safely fire any approved .30-06 ammunition without damaging the gas system. I havent used it yet as Ive been fitting and oiling a new stock to it, but Ive put probably 50 or so rds of American Eagle AE3006N through it with no problems.
 
Recommended bullet weights for the Garand are in the 147-168gr range. Commercially loaded .30-06 is not recommended because it is loaded with slower burning propellants for higher velocity. These do not generate the correct pressure pulse for the Garand.The only Garand certified commercial .30-06 ammo is produced by Federal and Hornady and the boxes are labelled to show this. AFAIK this ammo is not yet available in Canada.
 
hey supernova, where can a guy get one of those Mcann or schuster gas plugs in Canada? also alot of people more qualified than me say that as long as you shoot nothing higher than 150gr commercial ammo, you have nothing to worry about. anyone here agree to this thinking?
 
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I use a Shuster adjustable gas plug, I got it from Creedmoor Sports. It was only one of the many things I ordered from them for my M1. I went with the Shuster because I didn't want to misplace one of the jets.
 
bradley762 said:
I use a Shuster adjustable gas plug, I got it from Creedmoor Sports. It was only one of the many things I ordered from them for my M1. I went with the Shuster because I didn't want to misplace one of the jets.
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dumb question.....Creedmore sports is in the States right? can i order one of those adjustable gas plugs without having a SWAT team scream in through my door?
 
IIRC people had problems getting the shuster out of the states, I got my Mccann from brownells, its not listed as a firearm part and its only 40 bucks so no problems. I remember a more knowledgable member stating pretty much all standard modern factory ammo will eventually bend the oprod (he said he spoke from personal experience) so I figure its a good investment unless youre hand loading.
 
You can order it right from Creedmoor Sports website. I ordered the gas plug, National Match front sight, and a couple 5 round enblocs with no problems at all, and shipping was relatively fast.
 
My Garand only gets taken out once or twice a year ( mmmmm, come to think maybe this weekend would be a good time :dancingbanana: ) anyway, and back on topic, I have been told by regular Garand shooters that the UMC 30-06 FMJ is suitable for Garands. Anyone offer an opinion on this ?
 
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