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Posted: 2/4/2010 6:15:47 PM EDT
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I know they exist, but after over a year and half of searching I have come up with nothing! I even call SA and both people that I talked with said that they are no longer made and they dont know where even start.
What all would I need to convert a 308 M1A to 243? Or Where can I find one. Ive had my eyes on Gunbroker, AuctionArms, and GunsAmerica. and tried searching for custom barrels even and couldn't find anything. 
I need help from the Experts here 
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I came across one about 12 years ago. I bought a 7.62 from a fella who had a .243 too. I want to say it was a 60k range number.
If you are willing to pay the money, I bet someone would make you a barrel. Maybe put a wanted ad on the boards including TFL good luck |
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Douglas can make the barrel.
Conversion to .243 is fairly straight forward, install the barrel, make sure it is aligned, possibly enlarge the barrel gas port. Springs and magazines interchange, the sights will not regulate to the markings on the drums but you can write down settings for the distances it will be shot to. |
There´s one for sale in Spain chambered in .243 W
Because of a ban we have in Spain, semi rfiles chambered in 308 are ilegal; all G3, CETME, FALS, M14 and others are sold in 307 W and some M14 were sold in 243. The one you see in these pics it´s an SPRINGFIELD ARMORY for sale: 1.600 € just the rifle and 2.000 € with the scope Too bad I don´t have the money... 
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Quoted: There´s one for sale in Spain chambered in .243 W http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x272/juankar5000/_MG_2997.jpg http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x272/juankar5000/_MG_3007.jpg http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x272/juankar5000/_MG_3000.jpg http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x272/juankar5000/_MG_3008.jpg Because of a ban we have in Spain, semi rfiles chambered in 308 are ilegal; all G3, CETME, FALS, M14 and others are sold in 307 W and some M14 were sold in 243. The one you see in these pics it´s for sale: 1.600 € just the rifle and 2.000 € with the scope Too bad I don´t have the money...  You learn something new every day. |
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Quoted:
6.8 or 6.5 would probably be better calibers to do it in today if you wanted to do a custom. I'd looked that up too but the 6.5 and 6.8 are meant more for rifles designed for 5.56. Its a much shorter case than a 308 or 243. You would also need new magazines for the shorter rounds. I don't think it would work as easily as a 243 conversion. Would be an interesting gun though. |
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Quoted:
There´s one for sale in Spain chambered in .243 W http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x272/juankar5000/_MG_2997.jpg http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x272/juankar5000/_MG_3007.jpg http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x272/juankar5000/_MG_3000.jpg http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x272/juankar5000/_MG_3008.jpg Because of a ban we have in Spain, semi rfiles chambered in 308 are ilegal; all G3, CETME, FALS, M14 and others are sold in 307 W and some M14 were sold in 243. The one you see in these pics it´s an SPRINGFIELD ARMORY for sale: 1.600 € just the rifle and 2.000 € with the scope Too bad I don´t have the money... If I was more comfortable with the importation laws Id probly go for one like that. Id imagine they are easier to come by over there than they are over here. |
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Just get a hold of a custom M1/M14 gunsmith. They can profile any caliber barrel you want, drill the gas port and chamber it. I would stick to the 308 family, which includes the 7-08, 6.5-08, and the .243. sticking with these cartridges will allow the same mags and help prevent any feeding issues. If you shoot a high volume, and lasting accuracy is important, I would go with the 6.5-08 (.260 rem). It is not as much of a hot rod as the .243, and your barrel life will be extended. The 7-08 might be interesting too, as there are some great bullets out there for the 7mm caliber.
I read an article written by Derick Martin (Accuracy Speaks, inc) in which he had a .243 M14 - so, he would be a good place to start asking. I also heard or a 6.5-08 M1 Garand. |
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From the canon,
"Springfield Armory, Inc. offered M1A rifles chambered in .243 Winchester from at least 1978 until at least 1990 and in .358 Winchester from 1978 to 1980. Barrel blanks in .22, 6 mm, .25, .270, 7 mm, .30 and .35 caliber were offered from 1978 to 1980. Springfield Armory, Inc. would install one of their barrels into a M1A rifle during this period for a nominal charge, $10.00 to $14.00. From 1991 and later, the M1A was available in 7mm-08. These M1A rifles were sold in the United States and in countries where civilians were prohibited from owning military compatible ammunition, e.g., France. For example, Super Match M1A serial number 088619 was custom built in 1995 by Springfield Armory, Inc. It had a Hart 7mm-08 heavyweight barrel and the receiver was rear lugged. Armscorp M14 NM serial number 12148 was built with a .243 Winchester 18 " barrel long but it is not known if the barrel was installed by Armscorp USA. M1A rifles exported to Spain are chambered for .307 Winchester." |
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OK What the hell for!!!
I reload and when I want something like that I simply load a110gg spire point hornady in the 308 case and you've basically got the same performance but slightly better. In addition for those of you that have never fired a load like this it's a blast. The recoil is more like an AR15 and the accuracy is excellent. |
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Quoted: Quoted: 6.8 or 6.5 would probably be better calibers to do it in today if you wanted to do a custom. I'd looked that up too but the 6.5 and 6.8 are meant more for rifles designed for 5.56. Its a much shorter case than a 308 or 243. You would also need new magazines for the shorter rounds. I don't think it would work as easily as a 243 conversion. Would be an interesting gun though. For what its worth, you can get a Mini-14 in 6.8. Kind of uh...related. Don't kill me, I'm just making a suggestion. |
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The last time I saw an SAInc M1A chambered in .243 WIN was a preban rifle at a local show (Indy 1500) a few years back and they wanted a premium..... but all of these guys prebans were in excellent condition and most if not all had the boxes and all of the accessories too.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
There´s one for sale in Spain chambered in .243 W .... ... The one you see in these pics it´s an SPRINGFIELD ARMORY for sale: 1.600 € just the rifle and 2.000 € with the scope Too bad I don´t have the money... If I was more comfortable with the importation laws Id probly go for one like that. Id imagine they are easier to come by over there than they are over here. I like it so much the SOCOM II the first time that I saw it that with no idea at all about the import-export laws I did import it from the States.... It took almost a year of papers, permits and all kinds of things.... but after all of this pain... I finally have on my hands.... so in my modest opinion, if you really want it... go for it...it´s worth it, at least to me ... Ohhh and if you need some help. I´ll be happy to help you |
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OK What the hell for!!! I reload and when I want something like that I simply load a110gg spire point hornady in the 308 case and you've basically got the same performance but slightly better. In addition for those of you that have never fired a load like this it's a blast. The recoil is more like an AR15 and the accuracy is excellent. My dad has a load for the 110 Spire point out of his 30-06 deer rifle. I think the velocity is 3200fps (maybe it's 3600fps). It's blows groundhogs in half and vaporizes cottontails (the bunny was collateral damage during a groundhog watch). They are nice bullets. |
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Quoted:
Car Where in Spain do you live? I have lived there for a short time and would like to move and live there permanently eventually. Also, what are the laws on gun ownership in ES? Handgun, and Rifles? Thanks! I´m in Madrid, a great place to live as long as you like big city´s with things always going on, rush hours...v with very hot hummers and very cold winters Down south and west it´s where germans, english, russioans and many north european countrys go to retired, nice weather and good food... but maybe a little bit booooring... Up in the north you have long and cold winters and great summers... with the best food you can ever have.... The bad thing.... the gun laws, cos are VERY restricitive.... first of all: I´m not really the owner of my guns that have pay with MY money, the real owner it´s the goverment wich lets you have them as long as you have the license that "they" can take it away for many many reasons.(speed ticket, divorce, drinking&driving, street argue, and sooo on) and also it´s very limited on chambers.... oohh and handguns ...hehehe thats another story.... It´s a great country... but with too many spaniords  !!!!
Any way, if you want more info, feel free to send me private contact so we can keep talking... |
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