M1 Garand ammo

47grains of 4895 powder with a 150 grain bullet works quite well with the M1 Garand (at least in my experience). I'm sure some of the other guys on here with the Hornady Handbook will be able to give you very precise data on what to shoot but I know that the Garand was originally designed to fire 150 grain bullets so keep that in mind. You won't have any problem firing 168 grain bullets but I personally wouldn't want to go any heavier than that.... others may disagree though.

What type of hunting ammo do you have in mind?
 
The Garand is very pressure sensitive and the wrong powder causing the wrong pressures can hurt the gun. American Eagle makes current ammo rated for the Garand. You can get away with shooting different types of rounds but it is strongly recommended that you get an adjustable gas plug so you can adjust for different ammo without damaging the gun.
 
Interesting link, Big Ed.
The Fiocchi 150 gr is way up there in pressure. That points out the flaw in thinking that any 150gr load is fine.
 
The adjustable gas plug sounds like a wise investment so I will definitely get one. The rifle is in really nice shape and I do not want to see it get damaged. I'll get some 150 grain bullets and some 4895. Thanks for the help!

Cheers. Steve
 
I shot mine with Winchester 150 grain/2800fps ammo for quite a while, no real problems, but the thing is to watch for the muzzle velocity ~ that will give you a good idea of what kinds of pressure you are dealing with. Standard military loads were 2600 fps [150g bullet as mentioned by several in this thread] but you won't find hunting loads like that - probably the one loaded for the garand. but $$$

the higher the pressure, the more stress that will be put on your op rod/action.


- get an adjustable gas plug [PM poketfishrman here on CGN]
- reload your own ammo
- if you do shoot commercial, keep an eye on that op rod ~ damaging it will cost you $300
- google the Garand op rod cutout and look for one on yours & look for cracks if it is not there [if u have been shooting commercial]
- if you have any problems cycling rounds [brass shot into orbit, stovepipes, mangled cases etc.] repost here and ask for advice.

above all, "adjustable gas plug" :)





stevejones said:
Hi. I just got a Beretta M1 Garand and want to know if its ok to fire hunting ammo in it....Please bare with me as I'm a Garand newb....

Cheers. Steve.
Click to expand...
 
The Garand was designed to function with M2 Ball ammo a 150 grain bullet at 2750 fps. The more you stray from that the less happy it will be. They work best with 150-170 grain bullet at modest velocities. The Iconic load is a 150 grain bullet on 48 grains of IMR 4895. It is best to use Federal number 34 primers. Some soft primers have been known to slam fire in a Garand.
 
Do a search for "garand" on this forum and you will find a thread titled, "privi 30-06 garand specific". Read post #28 for a detailed description of what to do when reloading for an M1 Garand. This and other questions about the Garand and other rifles are recurring, so info can often be found on earlier threads in the forum.
 
Checking the resized cases for proper headspace, and below flush seating for the primers are the most critical mechanical aspects of reloading for the Garand.

Stay away from Federal and "gold-coloured" Winchester rifle primers for floating firing pin rifles (M1 Garand, M14, AR15, etc).
 
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