Well, I'm about *this close* to ordering an M1 Garand from the CMP.
I'm going to get one of their "CMP Select" grades, that's pretty much been remanufactured, with new wood, but one naggling little choice remains.....
Do I order one in "period correct" 30-06, or go with the more "modern" 308?
I've read up on the ballistics of both, and while they're fairly similar, they each have their strengths and weaknesses.
My thinking is that if/when the Schumer hits the fan, 308 might be a tad easier to come by than 30-06.
What say you?
.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
<i>The Fisher Saga</i> Continues - Act III -
Been working on this post since right after Thanksgiving. I'm making very good progress on the Fisher, and will most likely power it up...
Tough call. If you only plan to get one and just one, .308 might work for you.
ReplyDeleteI have a type1 NM and 2 m-1903 mk 1s 3006 all the way.
ReplyDeleteI've got both, but agree if you're already getting a 'cleaned up' one, might as well get the .308! Keeps the ammo supply issue down.
ReplyDelete"There just ain't much a man can't fix with $700 and a .30-06".
ReplyDeleteI thought that .30-06 might be more common - I had always heard that it was the qintessential American hunting round, available in hardware stores and sporting goods shops from coast to coast, corner to corner. It's what I got my Garand chambered in.
SiGraybeard @ work
As a CMP M1 Garand owner I'd only worry about M1 "timing" issues in the .308, but the .308 case is slightly more efficient (I've heard some 30%) and equally more accurate than the .30-06 - as shot in the M1A1.
ReplyDeleteAs far as availability, not all .30-06 is loaded appropriately as fodder for the Garand.
You might have more .30-06 options but you can't shoot them all: if there's a 200-grain hot-rod Moose-load you can bend the op-rod, that is if they even fit the OAL for the en-bloc clip. How's the .308 clip-availability, if that even matters?
.308 may be a better option, also may be more expensive - I don't know how that stuff is loaded in the current 7.62 NATO format.
Well, considering the 308 conversion is handled by the CMP, and everything is checked, I doubt if there'd be a problem.
ReplyDeleteFrom the CMP website:
M1 Garand Springfield Armory receiver. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture. A .308 spacer block is installed to prevent the loading of a .30-06 round into the chamber.
Guess I'll do some more googling to see if there are any issues with the 308 conversions......
I kinda figured they would get the timing right, a lot will wind-up in competition.
ReplyDeleteAfter that it's just what ammo does it like, and when do you start re-loading? :-)
If I were doing it all over again I'd get a .308 to help improve my score.
I'll second the 30.06 ammo issue, shooting factory/commercial ammo out of your M1 is a good way to bend your oprod, a lesson I learned the hard way. It also popped the entire fire control group out with every shot, and this was just with WWB ammo. CMP sells the correct ammo, but I like having the ability to buy commercial ammo locally.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'd rather have one in each caliber. =)
I only load for the M1 Garand and the AR, it's easier than having a lot of different stuff - just some H4895 for both and teh Match King boolits...
ReplyDeleteTough call. I think I would go with the .308 though, since this is a rifle for use.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading quite a bit, it turns out the 308 conversion is a "non-issue".
ReplyDeleteAll of the negative postings I saw on various forums and boards were easily answered.
The only valid "issue" I could see, and agree with on certain grounds, was that you were "destroying" a historical rifle by changing the caliber it was originally made with.
That's no problem for me, as this rifle will be a shooter, not a safe queen.
And I'm planning on shooting it a lot!