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I bought a sealed ammo box (250 rds) of belted FN 1959 30.06 ammo (ball, AP, ball, AP, tracer) to use in an M1. I've watched some how to videos online, but does anyone have a favored method for delinking this ammo without damaging it?

I also saw an old Arf.com bit about belted ammo for M1919 machine guns being too hot for M1 rifles. Given the scarcity of military 30.06 I'll probably still use it, but might use it less if this is true. I've not read this anywhere else.

Thanks all.

I think linking equipment can delink as well. If you have a linking machine, it should work. For 250 rounds, I wouldn’t buy one.

As to damaging a Garand, I’ve heard that as well. I always thought that was related to the heavier bullet loads from pre WWII ammo made to extend MG range. If it’s mixed ball, AP, and tracer, it’s probably made for aircraft use. That might well be hotter.

In any case, the too hot ammo will potentially bend the op rod. It’s not that the gun will blow.

If you are successful de-linking the ammo and are worried about bending the op rod, you might consider one of these adjustable gas plugs. They add slightly more volume to the gas chamber and allegedly soften the hit on the op rod when using ammo that is not precisely M1 spec.




There are a number of sources for this type of accessory. It looks like 40 bucks is the average price. Makes finding genuine M2 ammo a bit less daunting.

Thanks guys.