Garand EBR vs AR

[runt113]

Got a problem. Nobody makes an affordable long action AR, and the Garand has some major limits in its original form. I would strongly prefer to stay with the 30-06 case, but am beginning to be persuaded to switch to .308.

So, here is what I am considering. Would it be better to modify my old Garand (Sage EBR chassis, hopefully a magazine conversion as well) or just get a quality AR-10?

P.S. I am also considering the possibility of a 25-06 Garand... feasible or fantasy?

 

[Kells81]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

Anything is possible...

Ditch the garand and get an M1a or go for a AR10 platform. CMMG is putting out an affordable 10 setup that comes in at $1100.

Garands are beautiful battle rifles for the intended design and its pretty cost prohibitive to try to bring it into the modern battle rifle realm.

 

[BCP]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

Putting a garand in a sage EBR stock should be grounds for loss of 2nd amendment rights.

BTW I love my garand (and the 30-06 caliber to death) but when it comes down to it my 16" 308 AR is much handier.

 

[runt113]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

I probably should mention that whatever rifle I wind up with will be used for year-round crop protection (pigs and deer) out to 700yds. Not a lot of rounds fired per trip, but multiple targets are fairly common (8 or more).

I understand some folks think changing a garand is blasphemy, but while I love the -06 (25- and 30- both), a higher magazine capacity has become a must, and my eyes aren't what they used to be so a scope is also required.

Plus, the garand that may be used here is in desparate need of a new barrel at least. Receiver is well within mil-spec, but the rest of the rifle is pretty rough.

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

Sell the garand.

 

[Tx_Flyboy]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

Runt 113,

Keep the garand. If you need a new barrel, get one. You can get a krieger criterion barrel for < $200. A good bedding job on your stock from a competent gunsmith wont cost an arm or leg either.

If you wanna shoot modern, heavy, 30cal bullets (hornady 208 AMAX, Bereger 210 VLD) in front of slow burning powders, then an adjustable gas plug is a must.

Here is a link to an experiment on various commercial loads and a design of fixed gas plug for an M1 garand(the concept works the same, whether the gas plug is fixed or adjustable).

http://www.garandgear.com/index.php...mercial-ammunition-in-your-m1-garand&catid=39

Sorry, idk how to make the link hot, but u can copy & paste into your browser.

Best of luck.

For the record, i shoot a both 308AR and a garand. With a 24" barrel, and modern powders such as 2000MR, RL-17, and CFE223, you can load a 308 to give factory 30-06 velocities or better...assuming you reoad.

So If a 20rd detachable box magazine is a must, you may wanna just get a 308 AR.

 

[Inogame]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/03/14/m1-garand-ebr-tactical-stock-system/

I dunno, if you have a non-matching garand with a wrecked stock I can totally see rocking a Sage.

 

[Downzero]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

I would suggest not messing with the Garand, but not selling it, either.

I also suspect that an AR-15, perhaps in a caliber like 6.5 Grendel, will serve you better than carrying a Garand or AR-10/LR style rifle in the field, and be cheaper to boot.

You can keep your Garand + acquire a complete 6.5 Grendel AR in your desired length for the cost of a single AR-10/LR.

 

[BCP]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: runt113</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I understand some folks think changing a garand is blasphemy, </div></div>

That's because it *IS* blasphemy you Philistine.

Keep it original-looking.

If you want a 30cal carbine for pest control even the most humble off the shelf 16" 308 AR will do the job.

 

[runt113]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

Tx
Have looked into and probably will get an adjustable gas plug at some point when the garand either gets rebuilt or modified. Keeping the rifle no matter what as it has history in the family.

Inogame
yup... that's the whole point here. Rifle is not a collectable in any way, emotional ties though.

Downzero
Don't know much about the 6.5 Grendel. What I have read of 6.5 rounds seems to indicate very similar ballistics to a .270. Would be a viable option, for sure.

BCP
yup... I'm a Philistine. And yes, any ol' 308 AR would probably do fine, but if the headache isn't too big or too expensive, ya gotta admit it would make a unique build. ie: garand receiver in Sage EBR chassis barrelled for 30-06 with removable magazine. Yes, it's probably not possible with my resources, but a guy can dream, right? (and if that is possible, the same in 25-06 some day)

But, in the real world, the garand needs work to be used the way it is meant to be... and it is probably a choice of either fixing the garand or a "humble" .308 AR.

P.S. I would like to stay with a round I am already set up to reload (.308, 30-06, 25-06, couple more) and have load data worked up for the rifles I already have. .308 is becoming more attractive as I recently inherited an early BM59 prototype that I am still doing background research on (more details if desired)

 

[Tx_Flyboy]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

Runt 113,

If you wanna consider an AR-15, get it in a 223/556 caliber. Don't get any exotic AR-15 caliber (anything not a 223/556 or 22LR). They will be more expensive to shoot than a 308AR (factory ammo & reloading components are more expensive), and you'll be giving up a lot of knockdown power compared to your 30-06 or 308. There is also the very real possibility that these calibers may not be around in a few years.

You can buy a 308AR for $950 btw, so its not like you need to plan to break the bank.

Best of Luck.

 

[fred650]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

I personally prefer garands in wooden stocks.

Go with an AR10!

 

[runt113]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

well... looks like it's going to be a DPMS LR-308 with some factory add-ons. Local shop says 1600 out the door. Next step will be optics as money allows, probably use my old Bushnell for now. Suggestions? I know you get what you pay for, but after the rifle, money for extra's will be very short for quite a while.

 

[frankythefly]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

Too bad Cobb rifles where bought out by Bushmaster I would send you that way, .30-06 ar platform.

 

[runt113]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

note: that $1600 includes black teflon barell coat, barell threading for brake, 6-position buttstock, 4-rail front tube, ambi safety, JP adjustable trigger, A-3 upper. All factory options. Good price? Saw pretty much same rifle for sale used for 1250. Worth the extra $350 for the warranty?

 

[runt113]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

frankythefly

if I could have found one of those that is what I really wanted.

Only thing like it I could find was Noleen Bad News in 338L and RND Edge. Didn't want to pay $4500 plus for a rifle...

 

[Blackrifle1]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Poke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anything is possible...

Ditch the garand and get an M1a or go for a AR10 platform. CMMG is putting out an affordable 10 setup that comes in at $1100.
</div></div>

+1 - hard to beat CMMG's AR10 prices

 

[Snake Plissken]

Re: Garand EBR vs AR