Armory Sponsor
Posted: 10/6/2025 1:49:51 PM EDT
|
I've been doing load development for my "service" rifles recently. Just generic "M2 ball" for the Garands and started working on some M118 and M852 for M1A's. I've shot quite a few clips of my light M2 ball round (M80 bullets at 2550fps) from the bench and it wasn't too bad at all. Standing is pretty tame, bench is a little more shove. Moving forward to the last couple weekends I've been working on 308 out of my M1A's. The M118 load I started with is a PPU 175gr FMJ-BT with 40.8 grains of H4895. It was no big deal from my scoped Loaded. Shot alright. Well yesterday I ran 20 rounds of M80 factory ball through my other loaded that I stripped down. Just a standard flash hider and iron sights. Both rifles in Boyds stocks. My shoulder is a little tender this morning. That was not an issue at all with the Garands. Poking around online it seems the general thought is the longer gas system length and extra weight tames the Garand a bit more than the M1A/M14. I generally haven't shot the two different types of rifles back to back, so I never really noticed before. I just expected the Garand to have heavier recoil as the 30-06 is a higher power cartridge. Figured I might as well post a pic of the stainless Loaded at the range yesterday: 
|
"He had the right hand of the devil strapped tightly to his side."-The Last Cowboy
| A lot plays into felt recoil. Weight, stock design, ammo, etc. I shoot a lot of magnum type rifles, but the worst kicking gun I ever shot was a Winchester Model 70 ultra light in .270. The ergonomics of the gun was terrible. |
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
|
Originally Posted By compuvette: I generally haven't shot the two different types of rifles back to back, so I never really noticed before. I just expected the Garand to have heavier recoil as the 30-06 is a higher power cartridge. I have and they are very similar. Ever shoot a long slide pistol or a pistol with a suppressor? That is how the Garand feels. Sort of like a slower push of recoil. The M1A more snappy but less recoil overall. Both are a pleasure to shoot than other .30-06 or .308 rifles. Both put a smile on my face. 
|
This upgraded web site sucks!!!
|
I've only shot both in the same range trip one time. Years ago. I don't remember thinking one was better, or worse, than the other. I was using the sling on both rifles so that may have helped control some of the recoil. |
How you live your life is important. Just be sure the memory of how you died doesn't overshadow the tales of how you lived your life.
| I don't really care for the stock M14 buttplate. I much prefer the early T44 type M14 stocks with the Garand buttplate or a standard M14 stock adapted to the Garand buttplate with a spacer filling the hinge mortise. Might be my imagination, but my perception is that the recoil distributes a little different to the shoulder that way. |
Armory Sponsor