.308 M1 Garand? Input needed

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .308 M1 Garand? Input needed (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 6/24/2017 2:46:49 PM EDT

I have a very collectable M1 Garand (gapper IHC) that I don't like to take out and shoot because, well, I'll wreck it. I want a garand I can shoot a lot. Because M1 30-06 ammo is finicky and expensive, and because I have a ton of 308 ammo, I'm thinking about a .308 M1 Garand.

Anyone have experience with one? Can I run cheap ammo in it or is it picky like a standard 30-06 garand?

Posted: 6/24/2017 2:54:49 PM EDT

[#1]

I had a Garand rebarreled to .308. Shoots nice, but really damages brass.

Posted: 6/24/2017 2:54:56 PM EDT

[#2]

I have a .308 CMP Special that I'm very happy with:

It runs fine with regular 7.62mm NATO ball ammo, and it uses the same clips as the .30-06 ones.

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:03:30 PM EDT

[#3]

How about Wolf ammo?

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:05:19 PM EDT

[#4]

While it's best to use an adjustable gas plug for some ammo, I wouldn't call an M1 finicky.

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:07:26 PM EDT

[#5]

Whatever caliber Garland you have, it is still sensitive as to the ammo/powder combo. It is the gas system and op rod that dictate this. Slow burning powders/heavy bullets will wreck a Garand. Unless you have an adjustable gas plug AND calibrate it properly, you will do damage to the rifle if the parameters are not met.

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:13:21 PM EDT

[#6]

have you considered a bm59?

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:13:48 PM EDT

[#7]

I love mine. Have never had a problem screwing up brass.

Attached File

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:19:11 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
have you considered a bm59?

View Quote

Yes, but I want a garand

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:25:22 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yes, but I want a garand

View Quote

quietly backs out of thread...

fair enough. I'll say that a .308 garand should run just fine with an adjustable gas plug. i have a bm-59e that I built on a springfield armory wwII garand receiver and it eats anything i put in it including steel case. its just a garand with a mag instead of the 8 rd clip so i can't imagine you having problems with a well built .308 garand

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:29:01 PM EDT

[#10]

@M1tchell brought a 308 Garand out a few weeks ago and I got to shoot it. It was extremely smooth to shoot and no damaged brass.

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:33:48 PM EDT

[#11]

A .308 Garand does not need an adjustable gas plug.

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:43:55 PM EDT

[#12]

As long as you get a CMP Garand in .308 or have a CMP rebarreled.

Springfield about twenty years ago came out with new production Garands in both 30-06, and .308.

These rifles used all original parts except one, the receiver. It uses a cast receiver made in Australia.

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:46:53 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
I have a very collectable M1 Garand (gapper IHC) that I don't like to take out and shoot because, well, I'll wreck it. I want a garand I can shoot a lot. Because M1 30-06 ammo is finicky and expensive, and because I have a ton of 308 ammo, I'm thinking about a .308 M1 Garand.

Anyone have experience with one? Can I run cheap ammo in it or is it picky like a standard 30-06 garand?

View Quote

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:49:22 PM EDT

[#14]

Back when I was shooting my Garand in Highpower competition, I made an adjustable gas plug for it. They were not available commercially then, except maybe from one or two independent gunsmiths who were really tuned in to the Highpower scene.

Before the change, spent brass from the rifle routinely displayed bent rims, dented shoulders and case mouths.

Long story short, my brass-mangling problems went away. Now, mine was not built for managing a wide variety of ammo, since I had my match ammo loaded up the way I liked it but I'd recommend one of the modern tuners, that is so designed, for your rifle.
As one of my local gunsmiths once told me: "That rifle wasn't built to shoot targets. It was built to shoot Nazis". Garand designed the action to shuck the shit outta those shells after being thrown off a boat and dragged across the beach, in the interest of reliability over longevity, accuracy or brass life. They are, in AR-15 parlance, "overgassed", by design.

The "no modern ammo in Garands rule" is a bit overblown but still a valid concern in a rifle you don't expect to rebuild every season. The adjustable gas plugs should take care of that and broaden your ammunition choices as well.

.308 Garands shoot great, many people claim they are more accurate than '06 barrels. I've even heard it claimed that the NRA change from 5-point targets to 10-point targets was due to the increased accuracy of the .308 rifles appearing on the line.

Posted: 6/24/2017 3:51:36 PM EDT

[#15]

pmc (or maybe ppu?) makes affordable garand safe 30-06

keep garands garandy, say no to .308

ETA: gap letter pic thread!

Posted: 6/24/2017 4:04:27 PM EDT

[#16]

I love mine, and she shoots better than me.

Posted: 6/24/2017 4:30:45 PM EDT

[#17]

I would consider a .308 garand if I did not have much 30.06 ammo. I ended up buying 11 garands from CMP and was stocking up on 30.06 the whole time.

I also have several .308 milsurp guns and a good bit of ammo for them so I prefer that all my garands run on the 30.06.

Be careful at the range and only keep one type of cartridge accessible to avoid explosive surprises.

Posted: 6/24/2017 4:36:37 PM EDT

[#18]

my brother has one in .308. I like shooting it when he digs it out of the safe.

@FluffyTheCat might chime in.

Posted: 6/24/2017 4:37:08 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
I would consider a .308 garand if I did not have much 30.06 ammo. I ended up buying 11 garands from CMP and was stocking up on 30.06 the whole time.

I also have several .308 milsurp guns and a good bit of ammo for them so I prefer that all my garands run on the 30.06.

Be careful at the range and only keep one type of cartridge accessible to avoid explosive surprises.

View Quote

Jeeze wanna sell me one? I've been hunting forever for one from the CMP. Neck beards like you stockpiling them all

Posted: 6/24/2017 4:41:41 PM EDT

[#20]

7.62 garands don't need adjustable gas plugs they are generally undergassed to begin with.

A BM 59 is still a garand....just better...

Posted: 6/24/2017 4:43:40 PM EDT

[#21]

I have a Mk 2 Mod1 Navy Garand with an AMF barrel.
It shoots excellent using mil surp 7.62 ammo, and uses standard en bloc clips.

Posted: 6/24/2017 4:53:45 PM EDT

[#22]

Another idea: Save your $, don't buy another Garand or have yours rebarreled to get .308, buy a reloading set up instead (RCBS kit with regular 30-06 dies). It's pretty easy to reload for the Garand. You can make some pretty mild loads that are easy on the rifle.

I wish I had a IH in my collection. I would keep it as issued.

Posted: 6/24/2017 5:03:52 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
A .308 Garand does not need an adjustable gas plug.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
A .308 Garand does not need an adjustable gas plug.

It's my understanding that this is correct.

Quoted:
@M1tchell brought a 308 Garand out a few weeks ago and I got to shoot it. It was extremely smooth to shoot and no damaged brass.

Yeah I built one out of spare parts I had accumulated, including a criterion 308 barrel. It is accurate and has been 100% reliable with cheap ammo. The thought of pitting steel cased ammo through it kind of makes me sad a little, but I've mostly shot perfecta and that ZQI stuff they used to sell at Walmart for $7.47/box. It shoots it just fine, and it doesn't seem to wreck the brass, either.

I'm sure it would shoot steel cased stuff just fine, I just don't like to shoot steel cased through most of my stuff

Posted: 6/24/2017 5:15:27 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
pmc (or maybe ppu?) makes affordable garand safe 30-06

keep garands garandy, say no to .308

ETA: gap letter pic thread!

http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s482/texrdnec/5531984e.jpg

View Quote

I love those rebuilds with the light gray zinc parkerizing.

Posted: 6/24/2017 5:18:47 PM EDT

[#25]

I picked up a receiver from CMP back in the day, and I barreled it for .308. I like it, but truth be told, I got a crap load of military 30-06 from CMP back in the day, so I really don't shoot the .308 Garand, and that is really what the M1-A is for. But, hey, if you want to it works great. Just get the enblock block.

Posted: 6/24/2017 5:25:14 PM EDT

[#26]

My .308 Garand.

It counts. It has a Garand receiver.

Posted: 6/24/2017 6:01:36 PM EDT

[#27]

I have a Breda with a Breda bolt and a chrome lined .308 Criterion barrel.

It's a great shooter! Somehow, I think it has less recoil than a 30-06 Garand.

Posted: 6/24/2017 6:16:31 PM EDT

[#28]

I have a Navy Match Built by Charlie Frazier.

I can't shoot anywhere near as well as it will shoot. It has a NM SA 11010457spl barrel made in 8/65.

Posted: 6/24/2017 6:23:59 PM EDT

[#29]

I realize the history, I know they were issued, I understand some of the benefits.

That being said...I just can't.

Ought six Garand is best Garand.

Posted: 6/24/2017 6:25:18 PM EDT

[#30]

My cmp special is dandy. Have had no issues with any bulk ammo. Wanted one but didn't want to add another caliber to the fort. Don't regret taking that route.

Posted: 6/24/2017 6:28:50 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
Back when I was shooting my Garand in Highpower competition, I made an adjustable gas plug for it. They were not available commercially then, except maybe from one or two independent gunsmiths who were really tuned in to the Highpower scene.

Before the change, spent brass from the rifle routinely displayed bent rims, dented shoulders and case mouths.

Long story short, my brass-mangling problems went away. Now, mine was not built for managing a wide variety of ammo, since I had my match ammo loaded up the way I liked it but I'd recommend one of the modern tuners, that is so designed, for your rifle.
As one of my local gunsmiths once told me: "That rifle wasn't built to shoot targets. It was built to shoot Nazis". Garand designed the action to shuck the shit outta those shells after being thrown off a boat and dragged across the beach, in the interest of reliability over longevity, accuracy or brass life. They are, in AR-15 parlance, "overgassed", by design.

The "no modern ammo in Garands rule" is a bit overblown but still a valid concern in a rifle you don't expect to rebuild every season. The adjustable gas plugs should take care of that and broaden your ammunition choices as well.

.308 Garands shoot great, many people claim they are more accurate than '06 barrels. I've even heard it claimed that the NRA change from 5-point targets to 10-point targets was due to the increased accuracy of the .308 rifles appearing on the line.

View Quote

well said.

Posted: 6/24/2017 6:59:55 PM EDT

[#32]

Get a Gas Plug from Garand Gear for 35-40.00. Shoot whatever hell ammo you want. Get out of the dark ages!
Gheeeze!

Posted: 6/24/2017 9:26:51 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
My .308 Garand.

http://i.imgur.com/qzUQnqf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XZa9aka.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AwDQgVf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VgbLmXK.jpg

It counts. It has a Garand receiver.

View Quote

blashphemy!

Posted: 6/25/2017 7:50:06 AM EDT

[#34]

7.62 Garand does not need a adjustable gas screw. One of my best shooters is a Navy 7.62 Garand

BM59 Clone build also, no adjustable gas screw

Posted: 6/25/2017 8:01:57 AM EDT

[#35]

I have a CMP Special-grade in 308. It shoots nice (softer than 30-06) and is right at home with normal NATO spec (cheap) 147-150gr ammo. Mine doesn't hurt the brass in any noticeable way.

If you want to shoot different ammo in a 30-06 Garand just get an adjustable gas plug. They are cheap and super easy to install and use.

Posted: 6/25/2017 8:04:01 AM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
How about Wolf ammo?

View Quote

You can get surplus for pretty cheap, with reloadable brass you can sell to help fund the next bulk purchase. No reason to use Wolf for a decent gun. Save that crap for AKs and Hi-Points.

Posted: 6/25/2017 8:18:06 AM EDT

[#37]

308 Garand should handle virtually any ammo up to 175 grain.

Posted: 6/25/2017 1:28:25 PM EDT

[#38]

The $40 gas plug from garandgear will delay the peak pressure of commercial 30-06 ammo to below m1 garand spec ammo.

I'm in the same boat as OP but welcome the challenge of adding .30-06 to reload.

Uses the same powder, primers and bullets as .308 and brass is cheap to find (free at my range).

Posted: 6/25/2017 9:32:51 PM EDT

[#39]

Really appreciate all the feedback. So, before I jump on the .308 Garand bandwagon, maybe I should ask a more obvious question:

Am I being a pussy for not wanting to put mileage on my IHC gap letter? I'm not really into "collectible" guns, but I got this IHC for a song and it's in rather nice condition. It'd be a shame to decrease the value, but... I want to shoot it. Frequently. Maybe shoot critters.

Posted: 6/25/2017 9:35:24 PM EDT

[#40]

Why in the world would you get a .308 Garand? Or a Garand of any sort? Dude...just don't. Don't go down the path.

Posted: 6/25/2017 9:43:24 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
Why in the world would you get a .308 Garand? Or a Garand of any sort? Dude...just don't. Don't go down the path.

View Quote

'13

Posted: 6/25/2017 9:49:06 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Why in the world would you get a .308 Garand? Or a Garand of any sort? Dude...just don't. Don't go down the path.

View Quote

Better to let people think you're a fool..something something.....prove it

Posted: 6/25/2017 10:14:37 PM EDT

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:
Why in the world would you get a .308 Garand? Or a Garand of any sort? Dude...just don't. Don't go down the path.

View Quote

Ban him.

Posted: 6/26/2017 5:35:29 AM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:

Ban him.

View Quote

Dont be so close minded, there are USGI 308/7.62 Garands

Posted: 6/26/2017 6:54:26 AM EDT

[#45]

I have an SAI factory built.308. I love shooting it!

Posted: 6/26/2017 3:47:45 PM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:

Am I being a pussy for not wanting to put mileage on my IHC gap letter? I'm not really into "collectible" guns, but I got this IHC for a song and it's in rather nice condition. It'd be a shame to decrease the value, but... I want to shoot it. Frequently..

View Quote

Yes you are

Unless its is a unfired example you will not decrease the value by shooting it
Is it a all correct IHC? Even if so shoot it

Posted: 6/26/2017 3:51:20 PM EDT

[#47]

Love my CMP special 308. Obviously a mix and match parts gun, but its a fantastic shooter and looks very nice with new wood and refinished parts. Very smooth feeling and great accuracy with M118lr and M80. I enjoy shooting it far more than any of my 4 different .30-06 Garands.

Posted: 6/26/2017 3:51:38 PM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
I would consider a .308 garand if I did not have much 30.06 ammo. I ended up buying 11 garands from CMP and was stocking up on 30.06 the whole time.

I also have several .308 milsurp guns and a good bit of ammo for them so I prefer that all my garands run on the 30.06.

Be careful at the range and only keep one type of cartridge accessible to avoid explosive surprises.

View Quote

What explosive surprises?????Please explain
Impossible to load a 30.06 in a 308. While would not make a habit of it you can fire a 308 in a 30.06 and will cause absolutly no damage, case will come out straight walled. Its been done many times and I have personally seen it done before by accident

Posted: 6/26/2017 3:52:23 PM EDT

[#49]

If you have a nice one already you should make it a tanker as well. Give the purists a stroke.

Posted: 6/26/2017 4:01:39 PM EDT

[#50]

I wouldn't mind building a .308 Garand.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .308 M1 Garand? Input needed (Page 1 of 2)

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