Commercial 30.06 in a 1919?

Augi · #1 11-03-2009, 03:35 AM

Hi All,

Is commercial 30.06 ok to fire in a 1919 without modification, such as using a less restrictive booster (the same way an M1 should be equipped an adjustable gas lock screw)?

I am new into 1919's but not surplus service rifles. This looks like it's gunna be fun

Thanks,
Augi

B.A.R. gunner · #2 11-03-2009, 03:38 AM

your ONLY problem will be with Overall Length (OAL) of the cartridge.

if its not made to USGI spec, the extractor can skip over the rim and not pull the rounds out of the belt

but no issues shooting it pressure wise or anything like that

Finalygotabeltfed · #3 11-03-2009, 09:06 AM

As long as its FMJ and not lead tip hunting ammo it should function fine.

The length is what is critical for the cartridge to be far enough back for the extractor to grab it from the link or belt. Hunting ammo is usually shorter causing the cartridges to be too far forward, hence they don't feed.

kkkriverrats · #4 11-03-2009, 10:08 AM

Fear not the short ammo.

Just get a short round stop, it will also help to prevent M1 links from jamming in the feedway.

This one is installed with a set screw instead of peening the short round stop to the front cartridge stop.

Here's a picture of the little booger all by itself

Beelzy · #5 11-03-2009, 11:48 AM

Get the longest ammo you can find for starters, and get 150gr projos and not
the 180's. Mine would not feed the 180's. I get by without the stop device,
but I'm sure one would be handy.

IIRC, I used Remington ammo.

You will soon find out though that 1919's like Milsurp best.

Lucky#13 · #6 11-03-2009, 01:26 PM

Using commercial ammo should be a last resort, but sometimes that is the only game in town. I have a local range where I can't shoot surplus because of magnetic projectiles. I don't shoot there often, but on occasion I found it necessary. The Short Round Stop which kkkriverrats recommends is a must have. I have used it with 100% success with commercial ammo. Even swapped it in and out just to see how effective it is. The gun failed to feed without it, but would run like a champ when replaced. It does work as advertised and is a piece of cheap insurance. Get one!

gunnerone · #7 11-03-2009, 04:19 PM

Where does one find one of these short round stops?

Thank you,
Kyle

Augi · #8 11-03-2009, 10:23 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I will look into a cart stop with a setscrew. For now, I still have a couple of spam cans of HXP laying around for my Garand.

Just a clarification, is it the case over all length or the cartridge overall length that is the critical dimension?

Also, I have all the parts for a 7.62 conversion. Does 7.62 NATO vs .308 have the same problem?

Augi

Finalygotabeltfed · #9 11-03-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Augi

Thanks for the info guys. I will look into a cart stop with a setscrew. For now, I still have a couple of spam cans of HXP laying around for my Garand.

Just a clarification, is it the case over all length or the cartridge overall length that is the critical dimension?

Also, I have all the parts for a 7.62 conversion. Does 7.62 NATO vs .308 have the same problem?

Augi

Yes it does.

emmagee1917 · #10 11-04-2009, 11:30 AM

..without a short round stop , the tip of the bullet must rest against the front in order to hold the back in alignment for the extractor , so it's the OAL of the completed round. With the short round stop , it does exactly that. If the round's OAL is too short , the case is "grabbed" by the ridge between the two forks and stopped from moving forward in order to hold the back in alignment for the extractor. So , in this case , it's the case's OAL. Think of it as a belt and suppenders type of situation.
Chris