Are hollow or soft point M2 Ball ammo available in the market

[Jeremy]

Something to remember the garand isn't as fragile as the internet leads you to believe.

The easiest thing to do is just swap projectiles for SP etc.


If you have to buy hunting ammo any you find will be perfectly fine in an inspec and properly greased garand zero worries.

[oldfoneguy]

Something to remember the garand isn't as fragile as the internet leads you to believe. If you have to buy hunting ammo any you find will be perfectly fine in an inspec and properly greased garand zero worries.

I respectfully disagree. I don't know if you've ever heard of op rods being damaged by overpowered hunting ammo but I know someone this happened to. During the covid drought when guys were buying whatever was left on the shelf he picked up some 220gr monster moose ammo that should never have been near a Garand, with or without an adjustable gas plug. One round and his op rod bent in 3 places. The bolt was slammed to the rear of the receiver by popping out of the op rod channel. The front handguard was cracked by the bent rod but he epoxied that. In all it was a very expensive lesson that nearly ruined his 1943 SA.

I had to break down those rounds for him. I added 150gr fmj's and repowdered them to M2 spec. I loaded up those 19 220gr heads for my Krag.

No your not going to blow up the barrel but the gas system can easily be damaged by hunting ammo overpowered beyond the gas systems design specifications. I'm sure his wasn't the only Garand damaged this way.

[Jeremy]

I respectfully disagree. I don't know if you've ever heard of op rods being damaged by overpowered hunting ammo but I know someone this happened to. During the covid drought when guys were buying whatever was left on the shelf he picked up some 220gr monster moose ammo that should never have been near a Garand, with or without an adjustable gas plug. One round and his op rod bent in 3 places. The bolt was slammed to the rear of the receiver by popping out of the op rod channel. The front handguard was cracked by the bent rod but he epoxied that. In all it was a very expensive lesson that nearly ruined his 1943 SA.

I had to break down those rounds for him. I added 150gr fmj's and repowdered them to M2 spec. I loaded up those 19 220gr heads for my Krag.

No your not going to blow up the barrel but the gas system can easily be damaged by hunting ammo overpowered beyond the gas systems design specifications. I'm sure his wasn't the only Garand damaged this way.

Lol...

Surely you have some pics of this rifle nearly destroyed by one round of 220gr "moose ammo"?


Great story however... just not really believable.

PS what brand of 220gr was this?

[oldfoneguy]

Lol...

Surely you have some pics of this rifle nearly destroyed by one round of 220gr "moose ammo"?
Great story however... just not really believable.

PS what brand of 220gr was this?

Gee I didn't realize I had to photo document the situation solely to please you. I have no reason, desire nor time to make up stories.

No I don't remember the brand of ammo off hand from 5 years ago however I do remember it wasn't a familiar brand box.

My friend brought his rifle to a gunsmith because it was completely jammed and he isn't particularly mechanical. I wasn't there or involved in any way other than addressing the ammo he handed me and relaying the story I was told.

I don't know you and haven't had any interaction with you before but believe me when I say I truly don't give a damn what you believe. I certainty hope this is our last encounter.

[Jeremy]

Gee I didn't realize I had to photo document the situation solely to please you. I have no reason, desire nor time to make up stories.

No I don't remember the brand of ammo off hand from 5 years ago however I do remember it wasn't a familiar brand box.

My friend brought his rifle to a gunsmith because it was completely jammed and he isn't particularly mechanical. I wasn't there or involved in any way other than addressing the ammo he handed me and relaying the story I was told.

I don't know you and haven't had any interaction with you before but believe me when I say I truly don't give a damn what you believe. I certainty hope this is our last encounter.

Ok just checking.

So other than him handing you 19 rounds of ammo this is simply "my buddy told so".


The fact is SAAMI spec commercial ammo is perfectly fine in garands that are in proper working order.

220gr ammo such as rem core lokts generate less pressure than many milsurp loads.

Commercial ammo isn't the problem the Internet makes it out to be.

Good oprod spring and properly greased and you won't have issues with SAAMI spec ammo.

The garand gas system is rather forgiving.

[Bill Hollinger]

Lol...

Surely you have some pics of this rifle nearly destroyed by one round of 220gr "moose ammo"?


Great story however... just not really believable.

PS what brand of 220gr was this?

Come on Jeremy! We are not in the habit of calling members liars nor are we going to start now. Let this stand as your only warning.