Searching for M1 Garand Ball Ammo

[GSPBirdDog]

Hello Everyone!
I am searching for some M1 Garand ball ammo and not having much luck. I really don't need more enblocs but will purchase if they come with ammunition. Gunbroker prices are ridiculous and all searches of the net are coming up with few results. CMP stores are currently closed to catch up on existing orders. I am not an avid CMP shooter but would like to have some ammo to let my 15 year old son learn the M1 Garand platform.

Any help would be appreciated!

GSPBirdDog

 

[Mgderf]

Sorry, can't help.
I've got a spam can of some HXP stuff that I bought from the CMP a decade ago and the can is still sealed.
I've been told it's what everyone wants for their Garands, but this stuff will (someday) go through my B.A.R.

I di wish you luck in this market.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

PPU makes commercial ammo that is optimized for the Garand. Not sure about the availability these days though. I've still got a decent supply of the HXP from CMP too, but I don't think it's available anymore (at least not from CMP).

 

[senork]

You may want to consider looking into using a Schuster or McCann ported gas plug, or a gas plug from garandgear.com.
Using one of these allows you to more or less adjust the pressure curve of commercial 30.06 ammo, (which may or may not be more available than M2ball.) Garandgear.com has an extensive article detailing the use of commercial ammo in a M1.

 

[Mike Maddox]

Have several cases.

 

[Cameramonkey]

You may want to consider looking into using a Schuster or McCann ported gas plug, or a gas plug from garandgear.com.
Using one of these allows you to more or less adjust the pressure curve of commercial 30.06 ammo, (which may or may not be more available than M2ball.) Garandgear.com has an extensive article detailing the use of commercial ammo in a M1.

This. Cheap insurance.

 

[Gaffer]

So just curious.. but assuming your M1 fires 30-06 ammo, and I know there are different versions of every caliber, but what makes a good round or a particular round for the M1 Garand?

Ron

 

[hammerd13]

Prvi Partizan M1 Garand 30-06 Springfield Brass FMJ 150 Grain 500 Rounds

 

[DoggyDaddy]

So just curious.. but assuming your M1 fires 30-06 ammo, and I know there are different versions of every caliber, but what makes a good round or a particular round for the M1 Garand?

Ron

Without the adjustable gas plug, most commercial 30-06 is too hot for the Garand and can cause the op rod to bend if used regularly. The surplus stuff is a lower velocity, as are the commercial rounds that have been optimized for the Garand (like the PPU I mentioned).

Here is some more info...

M1 Garand Ammo: What Should You Shoot in Your M1?

As supplies of M2 Ball ammo dwindle, knowing what M1 Garand ammo you can safely fire in your military surplus rifle is critical.

gundigest.com

 

[senork]

I am certainly not an expert, but I have read that the ammo that one uses in a M1 Garand should be chosen carefully so that the end result of shooting it is not a bent op rod. The ported gas plugs allow one to shoot a variety of commercial ammo without damaging the op rod. There is a lot of info at garandgear.com or
forums.thecmp.org that may provide the information that you are seeking. I have reloaded 110-168 grain bullets very successfully using various M1 powders for my rifle. Hope this helps.

 

[Gaffer]

Without the adjustable gas plug, most commercial 30-06 is too hot for the Garand and can cause the op rod to bend if used regularly. The surplus stuff is a lower velocity, as are the commercial rounds that have been optimized for the Garand (like the PPU I mentioned).

Here is some more info...

M1 Garand Ammo: What Should You Shoot in Your M1?

As supplies of M2 Ball ammo dwindle, knowing what M1 Garand ammo you can safely fire in your military surplus rifle is critical.

gundigest.com

Got it. Thanks for all of the info!

I looked in my Hornady reloading manual and they actually have a separate loading for the M1 Garand. Looks to be about, on average, about 10 grains less for a 150 grain bullet.

Ron

 

[GSPBirdDog]

Thanks for all the responses and PM's everyone has sent! I am definitely going to pick up a modified gas block so I don't bend my op rod. My M1 Garand has a new criterion barrel on it but everything else is original. Got it from CMP that way with certificate of authenticity. Always wanted one and never really knew how fun they are to shoot until I purchased mine. Now i am going to have to get a 1903 Springfield and a M1 Carbine! Oh boy.....what have i gotten myself into?!?! LOL

 

[GSPBirdDog]

You may want to consider looking into using a Schuster or McCann ported gas plug, or a gas plug from garandgear.com.
Using one of these allows you to more or less adjust the pressure curve of commercial 30.06 ammo, (which may or may not be more available than M2ball.) Garandgear.com has an extensive article detailing the use of commercial ammo in a M1.

Thanks for the INFO!

 

[led4thehed2]

I'm afraid prices everywhere will likely be crazy ATM. American Eagle, Sellior & Bellot, and Prvi Partizan all make reduced power 30-06 loads that mimic M2 ball spec and are M1 safe. Pre-pandemic, the American Eagle was about $1/round, Sellior & Bellt was ~80 cents/ round, and the Prvi Partizan could be found as cheap as 64 cents/round. I'm sure that if you can find any of this stuff, or Greek HXP, you'll likely have to pay more than $1/round. CMP hasn't had HXP for years, and old GI surplus ammo is likely sealed and practically a collector's item. Cheap, surplus 30-06 is a thing of the past, I'm afraid.

Since no one else has suggested it, there's always reloading. I bought a single stage Lee press and have found it works just fine for me. I know it's a several hundred dollar investment up front, but you can for sure save in the long run. If that's not an attractive option, you could try a WTB ad in the classifieds. It's a hard time to be looking for ammo - I sympathize.

 

[senork]

led4thehed2 is correct about considering reloading for the M1. Again I would refer to the CMP Forums sub heading Reloading. There is a lot of valuable information about reloading for a M1., from bullet weights and styles, types of primers, the kinds of weights and brands of powders, to seating lengths. All info can be used as a guide, some of the folks on the forum are very experienced at reloading, and some are very helpful by providing one on one info. Still one should reference a reloading manual.

Right now, of course, getting primers can be difficult. I have shot very little commercial ammo, as I enjoy trying out a variety of safe reloading “recipes”.

 

[cosermann]

You may want to consider looking into using a Schuster or McCann ported gas plug, or a gas plug from garandgear.com.
... Garandgear.com has an extensive article detailing the use of commercial ammo in a M1.

JFYI - last plug I ordered from garandgear on a Friday, had it on Monday. Pleased with the quick shipping.

And a link to the article mentioned above for convenience:

The M1 Garand and Commercial Ammunition - GarandGear

GarandGearThe M1 Garand and Commercial Ammunition-

www.garandgear.com

 

[BugI02]

Excellent, cosermann. I was just going to post the same article, not only because it talks somewhat about the ported plug but because of all the data on commercial ammunition

Heartily agree that the only way to be totally comfortable with what you're shooting is to load it yourself and develop the load for your specific rifle(s)

 

[russc2542]

So just curious.. but assuming your M1 fires 30-06 ammo, and I know there are different versions of every caliber, but what makes a good round or a particular round for the M1 Garand?

Ron

The articles mentioned up thread cover it in more detail with pressure curve graphs but for those that don't want to take the time to read them, it has to do with the amount of pressure remaining in the barrel when the bullet crosses the gas port. That's controlled not only by the amount of powder but the speed at which it burns: a fast powder is mostly used up by the time the gas port is reached, a slow powder is still burning (and making more pressure) then. You can have different gas port pressures with different loads at the same (or different) peak pressure and velocity so MV isn't a good indicator of M1-safe ammo.

 

[DadSmith]

Hello Everyone!
I am searching for some M1 Garand ball ammo and not having much luck. I really don't need more enblocs but will purchase if they come with ammunition. Gunbroker prices are ridiculous and all searches of the net are coming up with few results. CMP stores are currently closed to catch up on existing orders. I am not an avid CMP shooter but would like to have some ammo to let my 15 year old son learn the M1 Garand platform.

Any help would be appreciated!

GSPBirdDog

If you can find this it is specifically made for the M1 Garand.

 

[55fairlane]

This guy on the national match forum has some for sale