Convert my M1 Garand? .308 vs .30-06 thoughts

[Schattenjager]

The quest is for a medium powered, accurate rifle to take into the field, scare gun snatchers, and appreciate the beauty of it.

I have a really cool, sentimental, M1. It did not recieve good care and feeding prior to my acquisition and now it needs a new barrel. I have the option of putting in upgraded .30-06 or .308.

I really like .308 and the M1A's, but to get the model I want is around $2K whereas the M1 Garand will cost only about $650 to get it where I want it.

The dilemma is not so very much about the money - but the caliber - is .308 that much more available than .30-06? If I convert the M1 I can easily go back to anytime, but if .30-06 is plentiful, then I would just as soon keep it as is. I reload, so tooling for either would be needed. The ballistic difference between the two is negligible.

What would you do & why?

Thanks!
:REOutArchery02:

 

[obscurotron]

Turning a Garand into a 308 tosser is a sin, in my book. She works just fine with 30-06 ball, as originally designed (well, after they ditched the .276 concept). If it's not broke (it's not), don't fix it.

30-06 is easy to come by, especially via CMP, still. The M1A's seem to tolerate commercial ammo better, but there are commercial loads you can safely run in the Garand (or get an adjustable gas plug so you don't destroy op rods).

As for making your own loads, if you already have the press, then some dies and powder and you're set. Making Garand-friendly loads is pretty simple as long as you observe a few basic precautions about projectile size, type and powder burn rates.

I would doubly be against overly tinkering with the Garand if it is of WW-II vintage, or saw use in Korea. Those old gals are getting rare and deserve good hands and good homes.

The quest is for a medium powered, accurate rifle to take into the field, scare gun snatchers, and appreciate the beauty of it.

I have a really cool, sentimental, M1. It did not recieve good care and feeding prior to my acquisition and now it needs a new barrel. I have the option of putting in upgraded .30-06 or .308.

I really like .308 and the M1A's, but to get the model I want is around $2K whereas the M1 Garand will cost only about $650 to get it where I want it.

The dilemma is not so very much about the money - but the caliber - is .308 that much more available than .30-06? If I convert the M1 I can easily go back to anytime, but if .30-06 is plentiful, then I would just as soon keep it as is. I reload, so tooling for either would be needed. The ballistic difference between the two is negligible.

What would you do & why?

Thanks!
:REOutArchery02:

 

[AndrewP]

You need to stay with .30-06. CMP ammo works great and gets your costs way down. Good brass too, if you want to reload it. Especially, if you have a WWII Garand, stay with the .30-06 and honor the man who originally carried it. I have 3-a 1943 Springfield, a 1953 Springfield and a 1953 International Harvester. All are wonderful, but the 1943 we always wonder who carried it and what they did with it. It's cool being part of history.

Now if you are building a match rifle for shooting highpower competitions, then it's a tougher call.

 

[Schattenjager]

Thanks for the input.

No competition shooting with this rifle. I just want a uber dependable, accurate, and yup - cool! - rifle to do with as I see fit. I am not a hunter (my cat and dog would never forgive me) but do enjoy long range shooting and having a vintage battle rifle to do it with is just awesome!

If .03-06 is in fact plentiful, then it is a no brainer.

:ar15:

 

[Martinjmpr]

In my experience .30-06 is much easier to find than .308. Since .30-06 is ballistically superior to .308 there's no real reason to convert. Dad and brother both hunt with .308 Savage 99s but I do fine with my pre-WWII Winchester M70.

I also have a DCM Garand that I purchased in 1994 and it shoots great!

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

30-06!

 

[computeruser]

Another vote for '06. Unless you had some compelling reason to standardize with .308 to go along with your M1A and FAL collection, I'd go with a new 30-06 barrel. Its a great caliber, easy to find, and you can find decent surplus of CMP ammo at a fair price.

 

[Schattenjager]

Yup - it's going to stay .30-06 - Douglas barrel and glass bedding on the stock with a mild trigger job.

Thanks for the input fellas!

:ar15: