quote:

Originally posted by sprg03-A3:

quote:

Originally posted by wolfe 21:
Very nice Garand. Makes me wish I qualified to purchase one for myself.
I am curious why 308 instead of an -06? Ammo availability or ?

In the recent past 308 was cheaper than 30.06, especially after '06 surplus supplies dried up while there was still surplus 7.62X51 available. Not so much anymore it doesn't seem. There is/was also the notion that 308 is inherently more accurate. Probably true, but all academic to a duffer like me. Probably the biggest advantage to me is that 308 is much more forgiving on the action than '06 in that it is strongly suggested that Garand owners buy or load and shoot ammo specifically loaded to work with the Garand gas systems, whereas pretty much any 7.62X51 or 308 works well.

I just liked the idea of owning a Garand in 308.

It is my understanding and experience also that in a 7.62x51 M1 any load is fine and as mentioned at least up to recently it has been much easier to find affordable surplus 308 than 06, if you don reload ( long term use of one of these in either caliber just begs for being a reloader!)
And qualifying for CMP purchase is easy. If you can legally own a gun, you can order one from the CMp. A few documents copied and some forms filled out and in most states ( the usual suspects NY CA etc excepted) the gun is delivered right to your home. The CMP is pretty generous regarding the shooting activity and membership in affiliated organization requirements, and you state rifle and pistol association or the garand collectors association qualify for affiliated clubs

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Probably the biggest advantage to me is that 308 is much more forgiving on the action than '06 in that it is strongly suggested that Garand owners buy or load and shoot ammo specifically loaded to work with the Garand gas systems, whereas pretty much any 7.62X51 or 308 works well.

Interesting...I guess I never looked into this. I handload all of my .30-06 Garand ammo with published "Garand-Safe" recipes to keep from damaging the op-rod, but I guess I'd never considered if the same had to be done for the .308 Garands, or for that matter the M14. So you can feed a .308 Garand pretty much any SAAMI Spec ammo?

The 308 case holds less powder obviously, so the gas pressure at the port would be lower, all else being equal relative to the '06. Garand safe'06 recipes use more of a medium burning powder as opposed to a slower burning powder. The gas port size is different between the calibers actually, with the 308 requiring a larger port.

quote:

Originally posted by sprg03-A3:

The 308 case holds less powder obviously, so the gas pressure at the port would be lower, all else being equal relative to the '06. Garand safe'06 recipes use more of a medium burning powder as opposed to a slower burning powder. The gas port size is different between the calibers actually, with the 308 requiring a larger port.

The burn rate was my primary concern, as I know the load data is very particular about that, and only a select few powders are recommended for the Garand. Interesting.

Story time.

We had a 308 caliber M1 Garand when I was at the Portsmouth Armory and several 30-06 ones.

We’re all at the range one day just shooting and requalling, when the Chief shows up and brings out an M1. He starts shooting the marksmanship course and we are behind him watching his target when one of the GMs taps me and points at the brass the rifle is tossing out.

Funny looking brass, straight walled 308….no one told him (cause he was a dick) and he failed the course. When he was done the guy calling the line told him to police his brass while targets were scored. Turns out he was shooting 308 in the 30-06 M1. We all picked up his brass and began asking him what was going on-he got flustered and stomped off.

Good times.

OP enjoy it. The only gun I wish I had t sold was my CMP Garand

Gents,

VERY nice score on your new Garand!

100% tung oil is what I used on my new M1A "Tanker" stock. It's looking good, but I may add a third application:



Garands and M-14's/M1A's...I love them!

Wes

That is a beautiful stock!

Picked up one of the Beretta’s in 7.62 from Reese Surplus when they still had them. Sweet shooting piece.