And I always get some terrific resources from you folks! The collective genius here is amazing.
[Can someone PING this to the gun nuts?]
Again...thanks for your experience and wisdom...
Chasaway
Try here:
http//:www.surplusrifle.com
I hang out there regularly. Check the forum areas for excellent advice (not from me, though! LOL)
This thread is worthless without pics.
I downloaded a bunch of stuff and can give you the titles but I don’t recall where I got them.
If you google them you will find them easily.
Want I should give you the titles?
found it:
They have charts and everything. Just look around.
http://www.nicolausassociates.com/free_stuff.htm
You can also look on Scribd.
Prophesy: you will develop a fast right thumb.
Whatever CMP M2 Ball is fine. I’ve come close to M2 using Hornady’s 150gr. FMJ-BT over 47 gr. IMR 4064 (any case). Never use any powders slower than 4064 or damage to the op-rod will result. An excellent cast bullet load is the Lyman 311299 over 35 gr. IMR 3031 (which cycles the rifle) or 16.5 gr. 2400 (which is quite accurate to 100 yds. and allows you to manually cycle the action so you don’t have to pick up brass.) Lay in a good supply of en-block clips, and find and purchase an M1 Chambercleaning & stripping tool. Pay close attention to the tightness of the gas cylinder retaining screw, they like to loosen themselves. Enjoy your rifle. I love my Garand.
Check out this thread at AR15.com: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=6&t=281740
Also, CMP forum: http://www.thecmp.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=ba580e0f5120fd1c81313fd6bb89fea9&f=7
Go to the site I posted earlier and click on M1 Garand. It has everything you want and more.
Also - watch out for M1 Thumb!
Federal now makes a Garand-oriented load that is made just for the M1. The Remington 150gr FMJ load is also made to Garand spec. PMC used to make a load for the M1 also (it was M2 ball “clone”) that was packed in a woodland camo box.
Otherwise, deal with the CMP ammo sales, or get one of those adjustable gas valve deals that will let you shoot whatever ammo you want. Last I checked, the adjustable gas gadget was around 30-40 bucks from Midway or Brownell’s.
Occasionally, the CMP gets a lot of M2 ball in that they sell.
You should stock up on:
1. en bloc clips. Sure, they seem cheap, sure, they see plentiful - right now. They might not always be thus.
2. If you’re going to shoot it, you should get a cleaning kit for it. Use a one-piece rod to make the barrel last as long as possible.
3. If you’re going to shoot competitively, you should investigate whether NM front & rear sights are OK for you. The front NM blade is thinner, and the rear aperture will be smaller, and rotate +0.5 minutes - 0.5 minutes. The downside to the NM sights is that they require more light to use.
4. If you’re going to shoot is a lot, consider getting a set of go/no-go gages for it.
Watch out for “M1 Thumb!”
Mark
Do not cold blue or hot blue it. Unless you are willing to do an incredibly painstaking Smithsonian quality restoration, don't rephosphate it as the new phosphate will overlay the numerous scratches and be immediately recognized afterwards as a rephosphate.
If you want an accurized gun, get a post Korean war Garand and trick it out to your hearts content.
Your Garand fires .30-06. Nothing scarce about it.
Not quite as common as .308, but still one of the top few rifle cartridges.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34RqMoyMZmI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOKxBxLg1H0&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvMcSnOMxkk&NR=1&feature=fvwp
2. Scott Duff's books are what you're looking for.
3. Leave it alone. Come back when you can consistently shoot 2 MOA.
4. Fulton Armory, J&G Sales, and the Brownell's catalog are good places to start.
CMP is out of Greek M2 ammo, but is getting more soon. Here is a notice from the Director of CMP, Orest Michaels, dated 11/26/09:
“MORE .30-06 HXP AMMO SOON: 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.”
BTW, I have 4 Garands from CMP and several thousand rounds of the Greek HXP ammo and have not had any problems with it. Most M1 guys consider it to be very good ammo. Join CMP and get in line for this stuff. You will pay much, much more for commercial M1-compatible rounds. FYI, the last batch of Greek stuff they had was about 45 million rounds and the one coming is supposed to be a large batch as well.