M1 Garand commercial ammo

[John Coleman]

Federal recommends against using their commercial American Eagle and Gold Metal ammunition in the Garand. CMP did contract Federal to load Garand spec ammo and Federal labeled it "American Eagle" and "Match". I know Gus Fisher and have been following the ammo for the Garand for a while.

The only commercial ammunition recommended for the Garand is the very expensive Hornady 168 grain match load. We can still buy mil surp M2 and match ammo in the US. In Canada I would think converting Garand's to 308 Winchester would be more popular.

Before the John C Garand matchs in the US that require 30-06, 308 Winchester conversions were very popular and the ammo is easier on the rifles.

Early pre ATK owned Federal American Eagle a30-05 was loaded with an unknown ball powder. The current production from ATK is loaded with more than 50 grains of RL-15. This is hot for the Garand. Early CMP contract American Eagle ammo was loaded in new Federal brass and bullets cannelured for 308 Winchester causing the cartridge to be shorter than minimum mil spec. This ammo was loaded with 47.5 grains of powder reported to be either RL-15 or commercial IMR-4895. Then CMP contracted Federal to load the ammo to "mil spec" not just milder than standard AE. This ammo was loaded in processed unfired Lake City late 1960's cases(taken from pulled down unfired M2 ammo). Using Sierra 150 grain FMJ loaded close to mil spec minmum 3.30" and one charge weighed 48.7 grains of new commercial IMR-4895 and new CCI #34 primer. The CMP match load was the 168 grain Sierra, 46.5 grains of IMR-4895, LC cases and CCI #4 primers. Many people complained they thought the 150 grain load was too hot. CMP requested that Federal make the 150 grain load milder but without specs. Federal decided to use the match charge weight of 46.5 grains of IMR-4895 behind the 150 grain Sierra FMJ for the mild load so both the 150 grain and 168 grain match loads had exactly the amount of powder, LC cases and CCI #34 primers. This was the last CMP contract AE and match ammo.

The Hornady match load uses the Sierra 168 grain bullet with Varget powder. This was the second most accurate powder. The most accurate powder was N-135 from Finland but cost and limited availability caused Hornady to go with Varget powder.