Ok, I followed the discussion the other night as to what to feed a CMP M1. By the time I got to the charts and graphs, I was totally confused. So what is the bottom line? Can I only shoot WW2 surplus 30-06, or can I shoot modern SAMMI rated modern 30-06. I don't want to ruin my beautiful Springer.

 

Thanks in advance,

Rich

I think the limits,as far as my Garand go, were to not go over150g. I've bought new ammo, not WWII stuff, but with the lighter? bullets. I'm interested to hear a more qualified answer as well. Good Shooting Rich.

The M1 Garand is not designed to handle the pressure curve and gas volume produced by modern 30-06 ammo. It is your op rod that usually suffers if modern ammo is used over time. The way around this problem is to:

1. Shoot surplus ammo from WW2 era. Becareful of corrosive varieties. Corrosive ammo was popular with foreign countries.

2. Purchase new ammo marked for use in M1 Garand rifles. These loads are made to replicate WW2 load ammo. Modern powders and primers are used.

3. Reload your own. Plenty of information available to create great shooting loads customized to your gun.

4. Purchase an adjustable gas plug for the gas cylinder. Replacing the gas plug with an adjustable gas plug will allow you to "vent" off excessive gas volumes of modern 30-06 rounds keeping pressure within limits. Schuster Adjustable Gas Plug is one vendor (Midwayusa). Remember that each time you change ammo, you will need to re-regulate the plug for that ammo/load.

The plug must be cleaned regularly to avoid carbon build up that changes the venting pressure curve.

 

Hope this helps!