Quoted:
Why use an inaccurate, mid-power Commie rifle when you could ue a full-power, battle-tested AMERICAN rifle. Better yet, re-barreled in the universally available and still cheap 7.62 NATO? And also mount a Vortex flash suppressor AND a bayonet legally?
I'll bet I can load a Garand with the equivalent number of rounds FASTER than an SKS with its 10-rd stripper clips.
Don't bet against me, I've done it.
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Since you've brought up the idea of a tricked-out Garand, let's examine this...
1) A Garand in .308 is much more desirable than either an SKS or '06 Garand. Edge to Garand.
2) Both the Garand and the SKS have bayo lugs. The SKS comes with the bayonet too. Even.
3) If you can put a flash suppressor on a Garand, you can put one on an SKS. Even.
4)Most people, with a modicum of practice, can load TEN rounds into an SKS in the same amount of time as EIGHT rounds into a Garand. At the very least, the time per round would be the same and the extra 1/4 to 1/2 second spent on the extra two rounds with the SKS stripper clip does not add any more time per round. I call it even.
Conclusion:
A Garand in .308 is slightly more desirable as a SHTF rifle than a comparably equipped SKS.
When you factor in the added weight of the .308 ammo, that edge is diminished even more. Both rifles are quite reliable, but I believe SKSs are slightly more reliable in the worst conditions. Now how much of an edge is there?
A Garand in '06 is, in my opinion, not as good a choice as a comparable SKS.