M2 Ball 30-06
- Thread starter staman
- Start date
Basically you might as well say that there is no M2 Ball ammo in Canada anymore, not surplus anyway. Unless somebody like PMC starts making it again you probably won't ever find any, your best bet is to start reloading. I have been shooting my Garand for 20 years now and I reload for mine. The last time I found surplus M2 was at a gun show in the USA about 9 years ago before all their ridiculous laws were made prohibiting non-US citizens purchasing ammunition without export permits.
In 30 plus years, I have never seen case lots of M2 Ball in Canada. 20 round boxes appear at gun shows from time to time, but not often. Won't be cheap.
"...where did you get the M2 casings to reload..." Any .30-06 case will be fine.
"...the correct ammo..." The rifle was designed and tested with .30 M1 ammo with its 174.5 grain, boat tail, bullet at 2647 fps MV, not .30 M2 ammo. This ammo was made for long range shooting but proved to have too much range for U.S. National Guard ranges. So ammo using a 152 grain, flat based, bullet at 2700 fps MV was developed. This eventually became .30 M2. In 1940, the muzzle velocity was raised to 2800 fps to match the ballistics of .30 AP ammo's 168 grain bullet.
The rifle functions and shoots just fine with any bullet between 150 and 180 grains. However, it prefers 165 grain hunting bullets and 168 or 175 grain match bullets with IMR4064, IMR4895 or Varget. And regular large rifle primers.
You must full length resize every time and watch the case lengths for any semi-auto.
Hornady's manual has an M1 specific chapter. Federal is loading a 150 grain FMJBT and a flat based 150 grain FMJ under their American Eagle brand for the M1 Rifle. They also load a 168 grain Sierra MatchKing under their Gold Medal brand. Don't know who has either though. Don't use any factory ammo in my rifle. My handloads only. Do not use any Hornady 'light magnums'.
"...where did you get the M2 casings to reload..." Any .30-06 case will be fine.
"...the correct ammo..." The rifle was designed and tested with .30 M1 ammo with its 174.5 grain, boat tail, bullet at 2647 fps MV, not .30 M2 ammo. This ammo was made for long range shooting but proved to have too much range for U.S. National Guard ranges. So ammo using a 152 grain, flat based, bullet at 2700 fps MV was developed. This eventually became .30 M2. In 1940, the muzzle velocity was raised to 2800 fps to match the ballistics of .30 AP ammo's 168 grain bullet.
The rifle functions and shoots just fine with any bullet between 150 and 180 grains. However, it prefers 165 grain hunting bullets and 168 or 175 grain match bullets with IMR4064, IMR4895 or Varget. And regular large rifle primers.
You must full length resize every time and watch the case lengths for any semi-auto.
Hornady's manual has an M1 specific chapter. Federal is loading a 150 grain FMJBT and a flat based 150 grain FMJ under their American Eagle brand for the M1 Rifle. They also load a 168 grain Sierra MatchKing under their Gold Medal brand. Don't know who has either though. Don't use any factory ammo in my rifle. My handloads only. Do not use any Hornady 'light magnums'.
- Location
- big sky country
I bought 1500 rounds (3 cases of 500) of 30-06 from The Shooting Edge. 150 FMJ, Federal ball equivilant. They work great in my Garand.
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Im in toronto so i could probably check it out. Silverback where did you get the m2 casings to reload.. Have any to spare?
The casings are just 30-06, any brand will do.
- Location
- big sky country
No, just a different weight of bullet, M1 was heavier.
Pietro Beretta
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Ontario (G.T.A.)
I just got a McCann adjustable gas system and shoot Remington UMC 150 gr. MC (FMJ-BT) at $22.00/box (2,910 fps)
T shoot your garand, buy some 150 grain Winchester white box or Remington UMC grem box. This ammo has a full metal jacket. For hunting, and maybe better accuracy, buy any brand ammo with 150 or 165 gr soft point ammo.
You also need a clip, unless you are goint to shoot single shot. PM me you adress and I will mail you the clip.
You also need a clip, unless you are goint to shoot single shot. PM me you adress and I will mail you the clip.
My lucky day is when my op rod spring comes from marstar and the thing starts firing properly..
oh great.....lol i ordered some bullets from marstar and they never showed up....never charged me ethier so now i order from elsewhere....
