1903 and 1917 with Modern 30-06

[HoosierQ]

I know the Garand is not good with modern 30-06 rounds because of the gas system.

How about 1903A3s (or other later ones with the better metalurgy) and the Model of 1917? These are strong enough to handle modern, commercial hunting 30-06 rounds...are they not?

Thanks.

QB

 

[Limeyfellow]

The 1917 are often bored out to fire much stronger rounds than the 30-06 pressure could ever do. It is about the strongest surplus action you will find. The 03a3 while it action isn't as strong is going to handle just about any 30-06 you throw through it too.

It really only the M1 Garand you have to worry about and you can alleviate that a little by buying an aftermarket adjustable gas valve.

 

[Bwana John]

The M1917 action is so strong it can probably handle bigger cartridges better than you can.

Id like to shoot a .577 TRex, but I dont know about how many times

 

[rcmodel]

+1

Action strength has nothing too do with the Garand ammo thing.
It's all about the gas system and slow burn rate powders bending the operating rod.

Both the 03A3 & 1917 will safely handle any load you can throw at them, including converting them to belted Magnum calibers.

rc

 

[HoosierQ]

Thanks guys. That is what I thought but figured you'all knew for sure.

I wonder how many people think the same thing of Garands...inter-usability of hunting ammo? I would have thought so until I joined this forum.

 

[Slamfire]

It is my opinion that the M1903A3 actions had better process controls than the M1917, and probably better materials.

The M1903A3, and Garands used 8620 steel. This steel gave a 20% higher yield strength than the plain carbon materials used in the double heat treated 03's, and is probably a "cleaner" material than the nickel steels used in the M1917's.

(8620 is not good as 4140, which is used in most modern actions, but it is strong enough)

You still hear of cracked receivers in M1917's, and that was probably due to WWI era process controls not being as good as the process controls thirty years later. P.O. Ackley blow up tested two M1917 receivers. One was dead soft, the other was rock hard. Neither was "just right". That tells me that WWI process controls were not that good.

If you blow a case head, the Garand will provide better protection than either the 03, 03A3, or M1917.

 

[snowtigger]

I have put literally thousands of rounds of .308 Norma Mag through my '03A3. I don't think ANY 30/06 load you can find in a reloading manual will hurt one.