In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

m1 garand for hunting.

august16august16 Member Posts: 29 ✭✭
edited October 2010 in Ask the Experts
Ok deer season is coming up and I really want to take the m1 out and bag a deer with it. But I remember reading somewhere that some loads are unsafe in a garand. So since I don't reload I was wondering if 150 grain remington core-lokt or some other commercial hunting ammo would be safe to use. Thanks.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • 32 Magnum32 Magnum Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hunting ammo designed for use in bolt action rifles generally have a burn rate and pressure curve different than that needed to operate and to avoid damaging the op rod on an M1 Garand. It may work for a couple shots. I have seen a few fine old Garands that have had their op rods bent and in a couple cases, the op spring broken, when fired with "hunting ammo". USGI ball M2 or equivalent is the ammo designed for use in the Garand. Hornady is making .30-06 ammo specifically designed to operate and not damage your rifle - google for info.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Another option is to get an adjustable gas plug and fix it so that the rifle just operates, with excess pressure being bled out the front. The receiver on the M1 is fine with commercial ammo, it's just gas port pressure and op rod bending that are an issue.

    If you handload, or know someone who does, you can use soft point bullets with loads within the M1s pressure curve.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • countryfarmercountryfarmer Member Posts: 4,552
    edited November -1
    For a few shots you should be OK but you should get a adjustable gas plug for future use, it will help vent the extra pressure and not make it so hard on your rifle.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 32 Magnum32 Magnum Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For some reason - I always forget about the adjustable gas plugs - guess I'm just stuck in the past.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dbain99dbain99 Member Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hornady makes a new round designed for the Garand:
    http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=ho81170
    or search Hornady
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ShootingAgainShootingAgain Member Posts: 46 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think Federal has some specific for the Garand too. Wasn't terribly expensive if I remember right.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iwannausernameiwannausername Member Posts: 7,131
    edited November -1
    Don't forget that some states restrict the number of rounds in a semi-auto - here in Fl. it is a mag capactity of 5 max for deer.

    So, you may need to get a reduced capacity enbloc clip...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.