JohnC
Active Member
Got this email just now from the CMP
CMP originally said up to 180gr is fine in the M1, appears they've backed off a little from that. Perhaps some damage they've seen pop up in armorer's shops? I know there are plenty of videos showing the safety for "hot loads" in M1s, but interesting that the CMP is decreasing their upper limit AND 1903 based actions are lumped in there.
Dear CMP Family,
The CMP advises to not use .30/06 ammunition in M1 Garands, 1903s, and 1903A3s that is loaded beyond 50,000 CUP and has a bullet weight more than 172gr. These rifles are at least 70 years old and were not designed for max loads and super heavy bullets. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle.
This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10).
Civilian Marksmanship Program
CMP originally said up to 180gr is fine in the M1, appears they've backed off a little from that. Perhaps some damage they've seen pop up in armorer's shops? I know there are plenty of videos showing the safety for "hot loads" in M1s, but interesting that the CMP is decreasing their upper limit AND 1903 based actions are lumped in there.