Newbie needs ammo advice / help ?

[Roofuss]

I just purchased my very first 1903A3 Remington rifle with a 2 groove 2-44 dated barrel . I want to eventually reload for this rifle, but for right now, would like to find some "over the counter " 30-06 ammo just to try out the rifle to see just what exactly I have . Any ideas or suggestions on what would be a good choice ? I currently reload for several pistol & rifle calibers, but .30-06 is not one of them, so I will have to get dies, etc. to do so. Should I slug the barrel for the correct bullet size or .....?

I'm a newbie in the military arms hobby, so please excuse my being a bit ignorant in this area Thanks !!

Information

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[LeagleEagle]

Best deal would be to join the CMP, they have Greek M2 ball at about .50 a round. Cheapest going these days. This is pretty good stuff too:
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/produc...acturers_id/26

[browningautorifle]

Loading for 30 cal isn't brain surgery but you're going to need correct info. Don't take second hand information from sites, instead buy at least three big name ammo manufacturer reloading data books and read all you can find about the cartridge you want to load. Then you will have a far better idea then the opinions offered. I've loaded hundreds of thousands of rounds and probably one third was .30 cal for use in M1, 1903, Johnson rifle, BAR and 1919A4. I wouldn't follow unproven information from the internet. The loads you get and the recommendations in the publications are the right direction to go.

By the way, Leagleagle is right. CMP is probably cheapest for anyone in the US.

[Roofuss]

Jim & LeagleEagle : Thanks for the heads up on CMP .

I do have several reloading books on hand, and as I said, I already reload, just not this particular caliber. My work schedule involves long & odd { sometimes 14 hr. } days, so free time is valuable to me . Right now, I 'm just looking for some "over the counter ammo", I could shoot right away to try the rifle out, that's all . I have never reloaded 30-06, so I'll need to spend the time & $$ in getting all the ingredients . Since I do not have the capability to do my own casting, I need to also look into bullet possibilities as well. Hope this might explain things a little better ?
I am going to check out CMP, but if there are any other idea's .....I'll gladly welcome them, and thanks in advance

[mannparks]

rufess,if this is the first rifle cartridge you will be loading for ,the 30-06 is no dought the most widley loaded cartridge out there,the loading data is vast just go slow and easy . the loading manual you have should have loads for your springfield.
if you have loaded sucsessfuly for handgun your foot is in the door.---charles

[Roofuss]

Understood, but am looking for some cheap over the counter ammo to shoot right now, and will reload after I get all my stuff together .

I checked into CMP, all I could find is Prvi Partizan 180 gr. or Golden Bear 145 gr. FMJ . I found NO M2 ball / military surplus ammo in 30-06 listed at all . What am I doing wrong ?

[browningautorifle]

With over counter stuff, you could use practicly anything except the light magnum or ultra high velocity stuff. Factory ammo is within spec and will shoot to point of aim. Stick to the 150 gr and there should be no major group differences.

[Roofuss]

Thanks Jim, that's what I was looking for !! I will look { CMP, or ? } into getting some cheap 150gr. ammo for right now just to try the rifle out.

I am awaiting the sellers load data and any other info regarding the ammo he used in the past with this rifle, as my starting point, but he is currently out of town for the holidays . Again, thanks Jim

[daveboy]

Sounds like you were looking at something other than the CMP site. I've never heard of them selling Privi or Golden Bear ammo. Anyway, I believe they only sell in pretty large lots. So, if you will eventually be reloading for it you might not want that much. Basically, any 150 grain ammo from the major manufacturers should work just fine

You should not need to slug the barrel, barrels made as late as yours and in good condition should shoot .308" bullets.

daveboy

[Roofuss]

daveboy : My mistake, I went to the link that LeageEagle had posted earlier in the thread , turned out to be Ammo to Go , sorry , had a case of " Head up my Butt "

---------- Post added at 05:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:46 PM ----------

Haaaa ! Now we're cookin' !!

CMP has 200 rnds. of M2 Greek HXP ammo loose in the can for $98.00 !!

Thanks for the help, much appreciated !!

---------- Post added at 05:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:53 PM ----------

You should not need to slug the barrel, barrels made as late as yours and in good condition should shoot .308" bullets.

daveboy

Ok, but just so I have the info on hand, should I ever need it.... I have asked the previous owner for any / all data he might have . He is out of town for the holiday at present .
He has owned & shot the rifle for many years and did reload for it , so I figure anything will help . Once again, thank you !! I am a newbie to this particular sight , and after just a short time ....I am impressed