Ammo for "as issued" Garand matches

marine6082 · 10-21-2009, 04:06 PM

I've recently purchased a Garand and a couple of spam cans of ammo from CMP. I would like to get into competitive shooting in the "as issued" Garand matches. Also, I would like to get into reloading. I have received some tech info from Hornady regarding a good load for the Garand (Varget powder, type bullet, etc.) and it looks like a good start. What ammo is allowed in these "as issued" matches? What do most shooters in these matches use that gives them the best results time after time, either in reloading or purchasing? Thanks for any help you can give an old Marine who was issued one of these many moons ago.

texnmidwest · 10-21-2009, 07:09 PM

Any load that will not damage your rifle is safe to shoot and legal in matches. Commercial ammo as you know, is too high of pressure and can damage your rifle.

I use IMR 4895 and 150 grain bullet. But, I do cheat. The club where I shoot sells m2 ball during the matches.

Paper · 10-21-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texnmidwest

I use IMR 4895 and 150 grain bullet. But, I do cheat. The club where I shoot sells m2 ball during the matches.

I've been tempted to buy the 60 rounds from the club, even though I'm shooting a carbine..

marine6082 · 10-22-2009, 10:58 AM

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a good starting point on the powder type and grain bullet. Looking forward to trying out reloading and looking for the X's. Thanks again.

JimBob · 10-22-2009, 01:10 PM

Here's some reloading info you might find helpful Reloading Stuff

marine6082 · 10-23-2009, 06:48 PM

Thanks again for all the info. Before getting into reloading, and if I wanted to buy ammo for the Garand besides that that I have from CMP, what and where can I buy/should I buy ready-to-go? I have shot some 150 gr. Remington store bought through the rifle with seemingly no ill effects and I remember way back in the early '60s, stationed way far away and allowed to take our pieces off-base and blast away at the countryside, we just went to the PX and bought up some 180 gr. hunting ammo and route stepped out the front gate into the hills for a day of free fire. Did we get away with using higher loads? And, in the case of present day, am I taking a risk with the commercial Remington ammo? Sounds like I might be. As I said, any info would be appreciated.

wcassidy · 10-23-2009, 06:58 PM

if you want to shoot store bought, get an adjustable gas plug, one of the two types is as issued legal i believe

Aznative · 10-24-2009, 10:47 AM

The best load I found for the Garand was win or rem cases, win lr primers, 168gn sierra Mks bullets and 43.8gns of imr 4895. That isn't a hot load but do look up a starting load and work up from there.

wilbur46 · 10-30-2009, 10:01 PM

Load and shoot whatever you like. I try to match chrono'd HXP.
In all of our matches you MUST shoot surplus HXP. 3 boxes and targets as part of the match fee. Range fees (if any) are extra.
Otherwise, there is one guy who would win every stinkin time! Heh-Heh
Regards

twtalbot · 11-01-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marine6082

Thanks again for all the info. Before getting into reloading, and if I wanted to buy ammo for the Garand besides that that I have from CMP, what and where can I buy/should I buy ready-to-go? I have shot some 150 gr. Remington store bought through the rifle with seemingly no ill effects and I remember way back in the early '60s, stationed way far away and allowed to take our pieces off-base and blast away at the countryside, we just went to the PX and bought up some 180 gr. hunting ammo and route stepped out the front gate into the hills for a day of free fire. Did we get away with using higher loads? And, in the case of present day, am I taking a risk with the commercial Remington ammo? Sounds like I might be. As I said, any info would be appreciated.

Back in those days, the factory loads may have been loaded with faster powder than current ones. It's not an issue of the ammo's peak pressure, or pressure at the chamber so much as it is an issue of how long the pressure stays high, and how high that pressure is at the gas port. The Garand was a pioneering design and Mr. Garand believed that the gas port should be as near the muzzle as possible, making the operating rod very long, slightly curved, and subject to bending when struck with too much force. More modern versions of the Garand action (M14,) have shorter, straighter, therefore stiffer and stronger operating rods.

marine6082 · 11-19-2009, 09:01 AM

Can anyone give me some good, safe loads for the HXP brass with 155 gr Hornady BTs and 168 Speer BTs? I appreciate all the other info so far. Thanks Whoops, forgot to mention that I'm using Varget. Tks again

LavaTech · 11-19-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

The CMP has been successful in acquiring another large quantity of HXP .30-06 ammo. We expect delivery in Jan 2010 and should have the ammo ready for sale by Feb or Mar. Until we actually receive and inspect the ammo, we will not know what packaging configurations will be available, but expect them to be the same as we have had for the past few years. We do not yet know what our final cost will be. We do know that the quantity is large enough to satisfy our customer needs for several years. We will not accept any pre-orders or establish a waiting list. Thanks for your support and patience.

This should reduce any worries about availability of HXP for the future few years.

GlockMeister · 11-19-2009, 04:00 PM

Hornady is now making Grand Match ammo. Safe to use in your Garand and legal to use in the matches.

NEW 30-06 M1 Garand Match Ammunition from Hornady - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Only draw back, the cost. But, it is another option and from a few guys on the CMP forum that have used it, they're getting great and consistant performance from it.

10-21-2009, 04:06 PM	#1
marine6082 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4	Ammo for "as issued" Garand matches I've recently purchased a Garand and a couple of spam cans of ammo from CMP. I would like to get into competitive shooting in the "as issued" Garand matches. Also, I would like to get into reloading. I have received some tech info from Hornady regarding a good load for the Garand (Varget powder, type bullet, etc.) and it looks like a good start. What ammo is allowed in these "as issued" matches? What do most shooters in these matches use that gives them the best results time after time, either in reloading or purchasing? Thanks for any help you can give an old Marine who was issued one of these many moons ago.

10-21-2009, 07:09 PM	#2
texnmidwest Some People's kids.... Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 6,978	Any load that will not damage your rifle is safe to shoot and legal in matches. Commercial ammo as you know, is too high of pressure and can damage your rifle. I use IMR 4895 and 150 grain bullet. But, I do cheat. The club where I shoot sells m2 ball during the matches. __________________ never pass up a bathroom, never waste a ** , and never trust a fart.

10-30-2009, 10:01 PM	#9
wilbur46 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 7	ammo for matches Load and shoot whatever you like. I try to match chrono'd HXP. In all of our matches you MUST shoot surplus HXP. 3 boxes and targets as part of the match fee. Range fees (if any) are extra. Otherwise, there is one guy who would win every stinkin time! Heh-Heh Regards

11-19-2009, 09:01 AM	#11
marine6082 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4	Reloading the HXP brass Can anyone give me some good, safe loads for the HXP brass with 155 gr Hornady BTs and 168 Speer BTs? I appreciate all the other info so far. Thanks Whoops, forgot to mention that I'm using Varget. Tks again Last edited by marine6082; 11-19-2009 at 09:35 AM. Reason: forgot to mention the powder type

11-19-2009, 04:00 PM	#13
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 9,676	Hornady is now making Grand Match ammo. Safe to use in your Garand and legal to use in the matches. NEW 30-06 M1 Garand Match Ammunition from Hornady - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc Only draw back, the cost. But, it is another option and from a few guys on the CMP forum that have used it, they're getting great and consistant performance from it. __________________ "The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." "Edmond Burke" Last edited by GlockMeister; 11-19-2009 at 04:02 PM.

10-22-2009, 10:58 AM	#4
marine6082 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks for the info. Sounds like a good starting point on the powder type and grain bullet. Looking forward to trying out reloading and looking for the X's. Thanks again.

10-22-2009, 01:10 PM	#5
JimBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 725	Here's some reloading info you might find helpful Reloading Stuff

10-23-2009, 06:48 PM	#6
marine6082 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks again for all the info. Before getting into reloading, and if I wanted to buy ammo for the Garand besides that that I have from CMP, what and where can I buy/should I buy ready-to-go? I have shot some 150 gr. Remington store bought through the rifle with seemingly no ill effects and I remember way back in the early '60s, stationed way far away and allowed to take our pieces off-base and blast away at the countryside, we just went to the PX and bought up some 180 gr. hunting ammo and route stepped out the front gate into the hills for a day of free fire. Did we get away with using higher loads? And, in the case of present day, am I taking a risk with the commercial Remington ammo? Sounds like I might be. As I said, any info would be appreciated.

10-23-2009, 06:58 PM	#7
wcassidy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 285	if you want to shoot store bought, get an adjustable gas plug, one of the two types is as issued legal i believe

10-24-2009, 10:47 AM	#8
Aznative Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Phx, Az Posts: 52	The best load I found for the Garand was win or rem cases, win lr primers, 168gn sierra Mks bullets and 43.8gns of imr 4895. That isn't a hot load but do look up a starting load and work up from there.