M1 Garand conversion?
- Thread starter Jmurman
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Steve in PA
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There were two ways to accomplish this.
One way was to put an insert in the chamber of the .30/06, thus making it into a .308 chamber. Since the diameter of .30/06 and .308 is .308" you didn't need to change the barrel. However, this was tried and didn't work out very well as they had problems with the inserts coming loose/out.
The correct way is to have a true .308 barrel (with a .308 chamber) installed on the rifle. An insert will also be put into the magazine well so that only .308 rounds can be chambered. The .30/06 rounds would be too long and not fit into the magazine well.
This is the way I want to go next year. I plan on buying one of the Greek Rack Grades for $295.00 (if they are still around), then have it re-barreled into .308.
One way was to put an insert in the chamber of the .30/06, thus making it into a .308 chamber. Since the diameter of .30/06 and .308 is .308" you didn't need to change the barrel. However, this was tried and didn't work out very well as they had problems with the inserts coming loose/out.
The correct way is to have a true .308 barrel (with a .308 chamber) installed on the rifle. An insert will also be put into the magazine well so that only .308 rounds can be chambered. The .30/06 rounds would be too long and not fit into the magazine well.
This is the way I want to go next year. I plan on buying one of the Greek Rack Grades for $295.00 (if they are still around), then have it re-barreled into .308.
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Steve in PA pretty well nailed it. Several groups and multiple individuals have tried the ".308 chamber insert", with less then huge success. Problem is, the chamber insert comes loose from the barrel, and remains stuck to an extracted/ejected case.
On the next round being chambered, you now have a .308/7.62Nato round in a (now) .30-06 spec chamber. When fired, things get .....well, interesting as the .308-sized brass lets go.
(Remember, children...DO NOT TRY this at home)
On the next round being chambered, you now have a .308/7.62Nato round in a (now) .30-06 spec chamber. When fired, things get .....well, interesting as the .308-sized brass lets go.
(Remember, children...DO NOT TRY this at home)
AZ Jeff
Member
I have a Garand that was converted to .308 for me by Fulton Armory. I actually find it more enjoyable than my other M1's in .30/06.
A new commercial barrel (in .308) is about $150-200.
Fulton advertises they will rebarrel your receiver with their commercial barrels for about $300.
You don't HAVE to have the spacer block for the mag. well, but it could not hurt. The blocks are about $25-30.
A new commercial barrel (in .308) is about $150-200.
Fulton advertises they will rebarrel your receiver with their commercial barrels for about $300.
You don't HAVE to have the spacer block for the mag. well, but it could not hurt. The blocks are about $25-30.
Swampy
Member
jmurman,
Clayton SMith @ West Texas Ordnance is still advertising a barrel switch on an M1 for $225. Your choice of the Wilson .30-06 or .308. Mag well block is included in the price.
I had Clayton do an M1 for me earlier this year. Good work at a really nice price. Shoots VERY well too.
Best to all,
Swampy
Clayton SMith @ West Texas Ordnance is still advertising a barrel switch on an M1 for $225. Your choice of the Wilson .30-06 or .308. Mag well block is included in the price.
I had Clayton do an M1 for me earlier this year. Good work at a really nice price. Shoots VERY well too.
Best to all,
Swampy
Hi Swampy,
Thanks for your input. I did my stock with the dishwashing method you posted and was very pleased with it. I'm thinking of the .308 due to the greater availability of Milsurp ammo.
Is there much of a difference with accuracy between the .06 and .308?
Thanks for your input. I did my stock with the dishwashing method you posted and was very pleased with it. I'm thinking of the .308 due to the greater availability of Milsurp ammo.
Is there much of a difference with accuracy between the .06 and .308?
Swampy
Member
jmurman,
All things being equal there really is no difference in accuracy between the two.
There certainly ARE differences between ammo types, barrel quality, and general rifle "tightness" that have an effect..... but if you put a new barrel on a rifle and shoot good quality milsurp in it you should see decent accuracy whether it's '06 or .308.
The one caveat I can add to this is that, like you said, .308 milsurp is easier to come by and cheaper than 30-06, it's generally much "fresher", i.e. 20 years old or less, while most '06 milsurp is 30+ years old.... so that MAY make a difference in the general quality of available ammo and how accurate it shoots.
Just based on my experiences alone.... the .308 is a bit more accurate... but that's because I'm shooting "newer" ammo in a rifle with a new commercial barrel, as opposed to all my '06 Garands still having the original GI barrels.
To throw more mud in the soup.... Some GI barrels shoot GREAT with good Match quality handloads. This does not quite reach the level of my Match Grade .308 M1, but definitely betters my "plinker" .308 M1 (in which I generally shoot only milsurp).
Just my opinion....
Best to all,
Swampy
Garands forever
All things being equal there really is no difference in accuracy between the two.
There certainly ARE differences between ammo types, barrel quality, and general rifle "tightness" that have an effect..... but if you put a new barrel on a rifle and shoot good quality milsurp in it you should see decent accuracy whether it's '06 or .308.
The one caveat I can add to this is that, like you said, .308 milsurp is easier to come by and cheaper than 30-06, it's generally much "fresher", i.e. 20 years old or less, while most '06 milsurp is 30+ years old.... so that MAY make a difference in the general quality of available ammo and how accurate it shoots.
Just based on my experiences alone.... the .308 is a bit more accurate... but that's because I'm shooting "newer" ammo in a rifle with a new commercial barrel, as opposed to all my '06 Garands still having the original GI barrels.
To throw more mud in the soup.... Some GI barrels shoot GREAT with good Match quality handloads. This does not quite reach the level of my Match Grade .308 M1, but definitely betters my "plinker" .308 M1 (in which I generally shoot only milsurp).
Just my opinion....
Best to all,
Swampy
Garands forever
I bought my first M-1 Garand in 1972. It was a National Match Springfield built at Rock Island with a 7.62mm Barrel ingraved with M-118 for the match ammo of the day/period.
I shot that in competition for about 5 years and two barrels. It did not have a magazine block and never needed one. It was an accurate service rifles and I took my first leg at Camp Perry with.
It is believed that the 7.62 mm is inhearintly more accurate than the 30 Cal or 30/06 if you please.
If you rebarrel put a 4 groove one in ten (1-10) twist barrel for best results. and you won't go wrong.
Don't worry about the block in the magazine well as it is not needed and I can assure you that you will not chamber a 30 cal in the 7.62(.308).
Vern
I shot that in competition for about 5 years and two barrels. It did not have a magazine block and never needed one. It was an accurate service rifles and I took my first leg at Camp Perry with.
It is believed that the 7.62 mm is inhearintly more accurate than the 30 Cal or 30/06 if you please.
If you rebarrel put a 4 groove one in ten (1-10) twist barrel for best results. and you won't go wrong.
Don't worry about the block in the magazine well as it is not needed and I can assure you that you will not chamber a 30 cal in the 7.62(.308).
Vern
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