Questions for the M1 Garand guys.

AlbertanBound

AlbertanBound

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Hey all!
So I recently shot my M1 and it was amazingly fun and accurate to boot, but my questions are about about ammo. Ive heard so many different things when it comes to which gr. to use so I started searching for some 3-06 surplus and found some which should tie me over for a bit. However I wanna experiment with some new stuff cuz I eventually will only have that to shoot. I saw some hornady in 164 gr. at Wanstalls as well as some AE 150 gr. for the M1 anyone have any preferences or experiences? Also Barnual is offering a 140 gr. or would that just be a bad idea?
Thanks
Ben
 
It was made to use just plain old .30 cal M-2 ball.
Buy a box of each and try it then you'll realize how expensive it is and think about reloading. That'll save you money ;)
 
American Eagle 150 is touted as a good commercial choice for .30-06 chambered Garands. I've shot it myself when I had Garands.

Some of the commercial loadings (especially the heavy bullet or superperformance stuff) is not a good choice for the Garand.
That is because the ammunition has to also have a compatible pressure curve at the gas port.
Ammunition without the correct gas port pressure curve will drive the op rod back too quickly,
which can even crack the receiver by repeatedly smashing the bolt against it!

When reloading for the Garand, 147-150g projectiles and a suitable charge of powders like
IMR4895 and IMR4064 are good choices for gas port compatibility. Slower powders are not.
 
The Garand was designed to use a certain pressure wave developed by the powder, otherwise you can run anything through it but you will run it to death. If you don't have an adjustable gas regulator it's very important to stay with the proper powder(s). IMR4895 is your primary powder with IMR4064 coming in a close second. If you love your Garand, treat it right. American Eagle does make ammo specifically for the Garand, and as far as I know that is the only commercial load made for proper use. I use IMR4895 - 47.2 grains pushing a 168 grain bullet, not max load, but cycles the gun great and a very accurate load.
 
i have a very good 4 page article from an old issue of american rifleman on loads / ammo for the m1 garand ------message me with your email ill send a scan of it .........
 
This question comes up at least once a week and always provokes a great deal of discussion. I recommend that you use the search function under "garand" or "garand ammo" in this forum to see where others have walked the same path.
 
The Rifle was designed to use .30 M1 ammo with its 174.5 grain bullet at 2640 fps. No such thing as .30 M2 until 1940. The .30 M1 ammo that was replaced by the M2 ammo when the M1 was found to have too much range for National Guard ranges of the time.
Its design had nothing whatever to do with port pressures or waves.
Your 'surplus' ammo is most likely collector grade ammo. I've never seen any real milsurp M2 ammo, by the case, here in 40 some years. Some by the box at gun shows, but not often.
American Eagle is a Federal brand name. They do make M1 Rifle specific ammo. Cabela's carries it. Around $26 per box.
However, shooting factory ammo gets expensive quickly. Reloading is your friend. Hornady's manual has an M1 Rifle specific chapter or just load 150 to 180 grain bullets(a 140 might not cycle the action. Never tried it nor seen it not work though) to around 2800 fps using IMR or H 4895, IMR4064(gives more consistent accuracy than either 4895) or Varget. There are other powders, but these are the most commonly used. A 165 grain hunting bullet will kill any game you care to hunt. Should you opt to lug the SOB around hunting. Heavy things, M1's, so they are.
If you decided to shoot in the assorted Milsurp matches, use 150 grain match bullets out to 300, 168's to 600 and 175/178's past there. All with whatever powder you choose. IMR4064 works extremely well for match ammo.
Go buy a copy of Hatcher's Notebook and Hatcher's Book of the Garand. About $30 each in your local gun shop or Amazon. The latter has a trouble shooting chapter.
Go here for free TM and FM manuals in .pdf format. Note the need for the provide UN & PW. Add the W's. .biggerhammer.net/manuals/
 
Thanks Guys this is awesome stuff, sorry if this question comes up alot but I just started shooting my Garand and it is probably my favorite. I will have to start researching a handloading set up it seems....
 
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