Rechambering a Garand: anybody done it?

[thefundamentalist]

I've got a Garand that will probably need a rebarrel in the not too distant future, and I was thinking about changing the cartridge at that time. Inexpensive 30-06 will not last forever.
I was considering going to a smaller caliber (in the 6.5 mm range), and happened upon an article that spoke highly of the .260 Remington. Not only is it a flat shooter, the rim diameter is the same as 30-06, meaning no reworking of the bolt/extractor. From what the article said, in most cases, changes like this only require a barrel change.
Is that true? Would this work? Has anybody done it?

[10 Bears]

Yeah, it's do able.
Most barrel changes, out of caliber, are .308.

[Gus]

I considered it when I re-barreled my first M1 Garand but opted to stay with the ever popular 30-06 instead.

http://yarchive.net/gun/rifle/garand_308.html

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun...2_springfield/

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/long-...and-build.html

[Pogo]

Originally Posted by Gus

I considered it when I re-barreled my first M1 Garand but opted to stay with the ever popular 30-06 instead.

Yeah, the value of the rifle will be worth more in the original caliber. And the 30-06 is about as good a caliber as ever developed.

Save your empty cases and reload. That way you can load it with lighter bullets if that is what you want.

[thefundamentalist]

I thought about .308, but was looking for somethin' a little different! I do save my brass, so reloading different 30-06 loadings are a possibility.

[Gus]

Originally Posted by thefundamentalist

I thought about .308, but was looking for somethin' a little different! I do save my brass, so reloading different 30-06 loadings are a possibility.

One thing I found is with the M1 Garand you have to stick with a powder that burns at a rate similar to that used by the military for proper operation.

A slow burning powder will make the action work so fast you can rip the brass during ejection with the possibility of damaging the operating rod JMHO of course.

[thefundamentalist]

Originally Posted by Gus

One thing I found is with the M1 Garand you have to stick with a powder that burns at a rate similar to that used by the military for proper operation.

A slow burning powder will make the action work so fast you can rip the brass during ejection with the possibility of damaging the operating rod JMHO of course.

I hear you, Gus. I regularly use a vented gas plug on my .308 tanker to guard against op rod damage due to "unknown" powders in the mil surp ammo I buy.
Heck, maybe I should get a Tommie?

[hangfire]

.308 is getting as hard to find as 30.06, I'd leave it alone. IMHO.

[leadhead]

Its a 30.06, didnt God or somone like that come down from on high and build the 30.06 with his own hands, as a gift to the greatest nation and imo generation ever to grace his world.

[dcjake]

Originally Posted by thefundamentalist

I've got a Garand that will probably need a rebarrel in the not too distant future, and I was thinking about changing the cartridge at that time. Inexpensive 30-06 will not last forever.
I was considering going to a smaller caliber (in the 6.5 mm range), and happened upon an article that spoke highly of the .260 Remington. Not only is it a flat shooter, the rim diameter is the same as 30-06, meaning no reworking of the bolt/extractor. From what the article said, in most cases, changes like this only require a barrel change.
Is that true? Would this work? Has anybody done it?

sounds like an interesting project, could be a lot of work but so is making a 1903 springfield into a 22 cal... one of a kind when it's done
keep us posted if u give it a go

[5knives]

All I can tell you is that issue M-1's were never 100% reliable with 180 grain bullets and much worse with the 220 grain loads.

Plus of course be aware of your finished cartridge O.A.L!

I do know of one or two that were converted to 270 without much problem.

Good Luck!

Regards,
...

[10 Bears]

My favorite M1 load is with a 165 gr. bullet.
Works perfectly.

[5knives]

Originally Posted by 10 Bears

My favorite M1 load is with a 165 gr. bullet.
Works perfectly.

Yup, they'll digest 165 grains all day long almost forever.
(just remember where the little dabs of lubriplate go.)

But after being warned about 180 and 220, we had to try it out.

Turns out that old M/Sgt knew what he was talking about!

Who'd a thunk it?

Best guess was the bullet length and the round nose was the culprit with the 220's, never heard a good explanation for the 180's.

Regards,
...

[dcjake]

i remember a fellow at the range who was having probs with his m1... seems that those little dabs of lube hadn't been looked after the way they should have, properly done all the brass should be real close the each other, not scattered all over the place they way this fellows were

[Frogman]

I had a Grand my brother brought back from Germany back in the 80's - it was in 300 Savage. The reason was that Germany prohibited military cal. guns for the public.