Going through my gunroom trying to organize 20 years of stuffing ammo/ brass into a large cabinet, I found a shotshell box full of these 30-06 rounds loose. Bullets are not magnetic, and look to be standard ball rounds, but the word MATCH on the head makes me think I shouldn't just shoot rocks with it in my Garand.

What is it, please.

Thank you
Allen

Made to fire in the Garand. LC brass, and a 173 fmj bullet. If they are nickel looking they may foul a bit more, but if copper jacketed they'll be just fine. Not nearly as good as 168s, but the match ammo of the day and not bad. Much the same as the M118 SPecial ball 308 ammo, same projectile.

These were loaded with IMR 4895 to a velocity of 2640. The exact powder weight varied a bit from lot to lot. Acceptance criterion for each year's lot was a 6 inch 100-shot group. At 600 yards. Each year's group was posted at Camp Perry. I believe the group was shot indoors at some range.

Before you shoot them, you should "crack" them. Put them in a bullet seating die and seat the bullet just deeper enough to "crack" the bond that forms after many years between the bullet and the neck due to the black stuff they used back then as a seal. This will improve accuracy a bit.

This ammo was issued free at the National Matches at Camp Perry and also could be purchased. 7 1/2 cents per loaded round. You could also buy a special match-grade M1 Garand in 1962 for $116.

The cases are pretty good for reloading. They don't have a primer crimp. They're a little heavier than commercial cases so cut the load a bit.

Thank you very much for the detailed information.

I will seat them a little to crack them as you mentioned.

Thanks
Allen

I have a whole ammo can full of these guys waiting for the right opportunity to shoot them. Can't use them for official Garand matches as the ammo is supplied, but they shoot pretty well in my match prepped WWII Springfield.

Fast Ed