I'm thinking of ordering some American Eagle ammo for my Garand but am concerned about Federal's (reputed) soft primers and slam fires.

An issue?

I’ve yet to buy any of the federal so I don’t have personal experience and I tend to lean towards internet assertions being a little over exaggerated, but considering costs are pretty comparable last time I checked I would just go with PPU or S&B.

I have had 100% success with both of those.

Federal is/was making a 30-06 FMJ especially for Garand match shooters. Powder calibrated for that gas system, and hopefully mil-spec primer cups. I have seen ads for it, probably in American Rifleman. I shot the M-1 in DCM matches for many years, always with my reloads, and never had a problem. Won a bunch of local matches, too. I mostly used either Federal or Remington primers. Reloading is the way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by Watergoat:
Powder calibrated for that gas system ....

Isn’t that the concern about using “standard” 30-06 ammunition in Garands? I.e., if it’s not GI spec or otherwise specifically intended for use in Garands it can damage the rifle—?

Yup, most '06 hunting ammo is charged with something a bit slower burning, probably since most rifles in this caliber are bolt guns. The M-1 gas system is carefully timed for the service load at the time it was designed, in the 30's. The only powder used at that time was IMR 4895. Slower burning powder lets the action start to open when the pressure in the barrel is still too high, beating the various parts to death. Another advantage of reloading is that you can do a ladder of loads from starting to max, and see what your rifle likes. My main rifle preferred a load just a bit above starting loads. My secondary rifle wanted max loads, didn't like the mild ones at all.

With most Garands in the ~1200-1500 range, I would be hesitant to shoot anything in there not specifically made for the Garand.

I think it was mentioned, something about the speed of the powder burn and overpressure. Some swear it doesn't matter, but it is cheap insurance to just buy the right stuff