Pure $MgH_2$ was milled under a hydrogen atmosphere (reactive mechanical grinding, RMG). The hydrogen storage properties of the prepared samples were studied at a relatively low temperature of 423 K and were compared with those of pure Mg. The hydriding rate of the Mg was extremely low (0.0008 wt% H/min at n = 4), and the $MgH_2$ after RMG had higher hydriding rates than that of Mg at 423 K under 12 bar $H_2$. The initial hydriding rate of $MgH_2$ after RMG at 423 K under 12 bar $H_2$ was the highest (0.08 wt% H/min) at n = 2. At n = 2, the $MgH_2$ after RMG absorbed 0.39 wt% H for 5 min, and 1.21 wt% H for 60 min at 423K under 12 bar $H_2$. At 573 K under 12 bar $H_2$, the $MgH_2$ after RMG absorbed 4.86 wt% H for 5 min, and 5.52 wt% H for 60 min at n = 2. At 573 K and 423 K under 1.0 bar $H_2$, the $MgH_2$ after RMG and the Mg did not release hydrogen. The decrease in particle size and creation of defects by reactive mechanical grinding are believed to have led to the increase in the hydriding rate of the $MgH_2$ after RMG at a relatively low temperature of 423 K.