Does anyone know if I can fire factory ammo in my M1918 BAR or is it like an M1 Garand and needs to fire M2 Ball or equivalent hand loads?

I am going to go out on a limb, and say yes. I don't think they have the same system as the garand and m-14. Its problably closer to the sporting BAR. I think the reason it is not recommended to use modern factory ammo in the garand, is that you stand a chance of damaging the operating rod. IMO.

If you can't find m2 ball, Hornady puts up a special M-1 round.

Federal also loads ammo specifically for the Garand:

M1 Garand ammo

I have some m2 ball left but i hate to use up all my garand food. I do have some pulled m2 ball bullets and have started loading them. I just ran out of good powder for garand loads and thought about using whatever i could find if the 1918 could handle a different powder. I also thought maybe i could go on a search for partial boxes of factory stuff at gun shows and pawn shops if it would work. Guess ill stick with m2 just in case. Thanks guys for all the help.