CMP Garand .308 or .30-06?

[325inthe510]

[Ora Serrata]

Depends on what you want it for.

The special grade .308 will be more accurate as it's a new barrel, etc. And as you point out it's more economical since you already have .308 guns.

The service grade 30-06 is cool from a historical/collectors point of view. Before I got hooked on collecting C&R's I would have gone for the .308 myself. However I personally ended up with a Special grade 30-06.

[smoothy8500]

I think the CMP made a good business decision to offer .308 special grade M1's. The 308/7.62 "milspec" ammo is way more plentiful, thus buyers are more likely to get out and shoot their Garands. I think of all the millions of Garands sold over the years by DCM and CMP in 30.06, only a small percentage of the total get shot regularly.

[325inthe510]

Depends on what you want it for.

The special grade .308 will be more accurate as it's a new barrel, etc. And as you point out it's more economical since you already have .308 guns.

The service grade 30-06 is cool from a historical/collectors point of view. Before I got hooked on collecting C&R's I would have gone for the .308 myself. However I personally ended up with a Special grade 30-06.

I think the CMP made a good business decision to offer .308 special grade M1's. The 308/7.62 "milspec" ammo is way more plentiful, thus buyers are more likely to get out and shoot their Garands. I think of all the millions of Garands sold over the years by DCM and CMP in 30.06, only a small percentage of the total get shot regularly.

With an adjustable gas block one can shoot any .30-06 out of the Garand right?

[Garandimal]

The U.S. RIFLE CAL. .30 M1?

Is a .30-06 caliber rifle.


That said, the CMP .308's are very nice, and if you are already flush w/ that caliber? You are done.


NOTE
Also understand that the $850 .308's? Are Field Grade Specials. The Service Grade Specials are ~ $1,050.




GR

[Garandimal]

...With an adjustable gas block one can shoot any .30-06 out of the Garand right?

Ported Gas Plug




NOTE
That site also has a lot of technical information simply presented RE: The M1 Garand and Commerical Ammunition.

EX. Remington Express (Green Box) Core-Lokt ammo is considered to be OK.




GR

[870classic]

Years ago, a college buddy bought a Garand in 308. I had the opportunity to shoot my buddy's Garand and put about 400 rounds through it in an afternoon.

A few years ago, I purchased a CMP 308 Special and have run quite a few "clips" through it without a problem.

I specifically chose a serial number in the 5.8 million range to take advantage of all the improvements Springfield Armory made over the years. In addition, this is a 1954 vintage rifle, and as such, the modification to 308/7.62 should not "ruin" the collectors value of the rifle. (Being outside of the WWII vintage rifles)

The 308/7.62 provides another option to a great rifle.

Good shooting,
870classic

[Enfield47]

I would go for the .30-06 service grade as my first Garand. Nothing wrong with a .308 but for historical accuracy it's got to be .30-06. If you want to pick up a .308 Garand, you should make it your second Garand purchase.

[BrokerB]

.308 in a heart beat

[bigbossman]

For a Garand I'd pick 30-06, and then buy a M1-A later to fill the .308/7.62 gap.

[Rorge Retson]

The answer is, of course, both. But your first Garand should be 30.06.

[tomrkba]

The answer is, of course, both. But your first Garand should be 30.06.

FTW

[325inthe510]

Dang the poll is almost evenly split! I think the historical accuracy is pointing me towards the .30-06, at least for my first Garand.

Thanks for the insight everyone!

[Tere_Hanges]

.3006 service grade for sure.

Get ammo here:

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi-partizan-30-06-m1-garand-ammo-150-grain-fmj-500-rds-ammocan-p-3573.aspx

.64 cents per rd., $320/500rds in ammo can, free shipping no sales tax. You cant beat that even with .308 unless you buy steel cased. Upload your 03FFL+COE and get it right to your doorstep.

Dont over think it. Get an M1A if you want an M1 that shoots 308.

The service grades are amazing shooters. The barrels are like new thats why its a service grade. And a like new USGI barrel is always going to be more valuable than a new criterion barrel.

Seriously, dont overthink it. Take it from someone who has a lot of CMP M1s and a lot of .308 rifles, I've never once regretted having all my M1s in .3006. Im actually glad they arent in .308, I burn through so much .308 just feeding my M1As, SCAR, and AR308s.

Save all the brass and start reloading it. Then ammo wont be an issue at all in the future.

Once you get that M1 in your hands you really wont care if its .3006 or .308 so just get the .3006 and dont worry about it. its really not an issue at all.

[325inthe510]

.3006 service grade for sure.

Get ammo here:

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi-partizan-30-06-m1-garand-ammo-150-grain-fmj-500-rds-ammocan-p-3573.aspx

.64 cents per rd., $320/500rds in ammo can, free shipping no sales tax. You cant beat that even with .308 unless you buy steel cased. Upload your 03FFL+COE and get it right to your doorstep.

Dont over think it. Get an M1A if you want an M1 that shoots 308.

The service grades are amazing shooters. The barrels are like new thats why its a service grade. And a like new USGI barrel is always going to be more valuable than a new criterion barrel.

Seriously, dont overthink it. Take it from someone who has a lot of CMP M1s and a lot of .308 rifles, I've never once regretted having all my M1s in .3006. Im actually glad they arent in .308, I burn through so much .308 just feeding my M1As, SCAR, and AR308s.

Save all the brass and start reloading it. Then ammo wont be an issue at all in the future.

Once you get that M1 in your hands you really wont care if its .3006 or .308 so just get the .3006 and dont worry about it. its really not an issue at all.

Not bad, but .308 is $.50 all day online https://www.bulkammo.com/7-62x51mm-1...-lake-city-500