I own both, shoot both, and love both. Since the OP said this is for a range gun, I would have to choose the Garand and there are several reasons for this and none of them have to do with the function or cartridge of either rifle.
I seldom go to the range and am not surrounded by a sea of guys with their tricked out ARs shooting massive numbers of rounds down range.(I enjoy this because I pick up their brass) But when I have my AR I am just one of those guys. I get weird looks because I have an A2 sight on my flat top upper and a fixed stock. The gun is a dime a dozen.
When I have my Garand it is the only one there. It is a RIFLE everyone notices. I'm 32 and a lot of people my age have never seen or shot one. I can't tell you how many people have approached me just to tell me that their father carried one of those or older gentlemen who carried one ask if they can hold it. It is amazing to see the look on their face as they pick it up, look it over, and you can tell they are going to another time and place. I have yet to get this reaction from any thing else I have. Not my 1903 A3, M1 Carbine, Nagant, K98, or Enfield. Garands are unique and special, mine is 68 years old and is still relevant. How many things, much less a gun, can you say that about?