308 garand questions

StrelokM38

StrelokM38

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Hey there, considering picking up an M1 Garand in .308, just curious about general experiences with these rifles compared to ones chambered in .30-06.

I've also got a good stocking on Chinese Surplus .308/7.62, I find it's quite high pressure compared to other .308 i've fired through my other rifles so I tend to hold off. Think it'd be fine to run through a garand?

Thanks!
 
I've shot a bunch of the steel Chinese 308 through mine. I can't say much in regards to the pressure but it all went bang (surprisingly when compared to the Chinese non-corrosive 7.62x39)
 
It will have a lot to do with the OP ROD and spring on the rifle.

If they've been properly modified or your rifle is a purpose built Typo2 Italian type, it will be fine with the Chinese ammo.

If the rifle is a put together and you don't know about the parts mentioned, find out first.

If 30-06 parts have been utilized, without mods, don't use the Chinese ammo.

There are a couple of M1 Garand gurus on this site, one has the handle "Purple"
 
Ended up picking up a springfield receiver one from Firearmsoutletcanada. I think it's an italian surplus one but there's not much information on the description. I wont have the rifle until later this week (hopefully) and will have better answers when I have it on hand.

Thanks!
 
If it is Italian, with a Springfield receiver, it is probably a Tipo 2, a conversion from .30-06. Barrel shortened at the breech, stock and operating rod shortened. Good rifles.
Or it could also be something someone made up.
When you get it, check it over carefully to be sure what you have.
A M-1 in 7.62x51 is a great shooter!
 
Just saw in a review on the listing that it's a FAT conversion from Italy. So it's looking like I'm good to go? I'll be double checking regardless.

Pretty much brand new to the Garand scene in any case, are there any parts, accessories or such I should keep on hand for the long term?

Thanks.
 
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En bloc chargers...
Grease. Issue was white lithium, but any good grease will work for the points where it is recommended.
There are some useful Garand related cleaning tools, like the chamber cleaning brush. The issue cleaning rod handle incorporates a tool which simplifies disassembling the extractor and ejector. But a fired case can be used.
 
Yeahh, I stocked up on a handful when I purchased the rifle, but I'm planning on picking up a bunch more with the coming gun show this December. I've got easy access to that grease, so I'll nab a couple cans for myself.

Thanks again for the help!
 
StrelokM38 said:
Yeahh, I stocked up on a handful when I purchased the rifle, but I'm planning on picking up a bunch more with the coming gun show this December. I've got easy access to that grease, so I'll nab a couple cans for myself.

Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...
A little bit of grease goes a long way.

Too much just attracts all sorts of clingy stuff not needed in those areas.
 
tiriaq said:
If it is Italian, with a Springfield receiver, it is probably a Tipo 2, a conversion from .30-06. Barrel shortened at the breech, stock and operating rod shortened. Good rifles.
Or it could also be something someone made up.
When you get it, check it over carefully to be sure what you have.
A M-1 in 7.62x51 is a great shooter!
Click to expand...
Okay, got my rifle in today.

Receiver has a 7.62-2 marking behind the rear sight base,

Operating rod says 7.62mm/ 2 ☆

Barrel within the oprod channel has a pair of FAT markings with 7.62mm/2 67

Thats about all i could discern as far as markings go without taking the thing down completely, gonna do that sometime this week if I find the time. Curious if this'll be good for that chinese 7.62 nato I have.
 
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^^^^ Those are good indicators. You have an arsenal conversion with the important length of Op Rod.

Italy issued NATO ball, which is brass cased. The steel stuff is probably going to work, but if you have choice, I'd avoid it.
 
Hmm, alright. Just got a boatload of the steelcased stuff but that can wait for another gun later on. Would commercial .308 be fine to fire through this in the meantime or would that be too rough?
 
It depends entirely on the pressure at the gas port. Too low, cycling might be a problem. Too high, the action gets hammered. Just right, it runs like a top. There is fresh commercial fmj .308 ammunition available. That might be a best choice.
 
tiriaq said:
It depends entirely on the pressure at the gas port. Too low, cycling might be a problem. Too high, the action gets hammered. Just right, it runs like a top. There is fresh commercial fmj .308 ammunition available. That might be a best choice.
Click to expand...
I’ve been running the federal stuff, x80? In mine and it runs perfect and shoots quite well.
 
Thanks for the replies! I ended up buying a case of brass 7.62x51 m80 ball, but i'll experiment with the steel cased stuff later on.

Couple questions regarding parts. I'm probably going to replace the wood on mine since it's pretty rough, whole rifle came covered in this sticky lacquer that's been a bit of a nightmare to clean out. Guessing they sprayed over the stock and most of the external metal as well. Do .30-06 stocks fit in just fine or would modification be needed?

Second is replacement oprod springs. Do regular Garand ones work fine, or is there a specific one needed for the TIPO 2 garand?
 
The Tipo 2 stock is .5 inch shorter than the regular .30-06 stock. The following Tipo 2 parts are .5 inch shorter than the regular Garand parts; stock, barrel, op rod, rear handguard and op rod spring.

A standard Garand op rod spring can be cut to a length of 19.25 - 19.75 inches for use in a Tipo 2 Garand. I use a Dremel cut off wheel and dress off the sharp end of the cut with a file.

It's recommended to use MILSPEC ammo or properly assembled handloads in a Garand (bullet weights in the 150-175gr range and propellants with a similar burn rate as IMR 4064 or IMR 4895). H4895 isn't interchangeable with IMR 4895.

Some use an adjustable gas plug to shoot commercial ammo in a Garand. I use one when shooting 7.62 handloads with WC755 powder which produces excellent accuracy in a .308/7.62, but is too slow burning for the Garand gas system.
 
It is your rifle so do as you wish, but I would not shoot the Chinese steel cased ammo in a Garand. Buying more appropriate ammo is cheaper than trying to replace a bent op rod or extractor parts. In my experience the Chinese ammo is a bit hot. I can't give you a technical explanation but I don't think Garand type actions and steel case ammo are a good combination.You can solve the pressure/too hot issue with an adjustable gas plug, but you can't change the steel case/extractor issue. But, it's your rifle;)
 
Yeah, I've opted out of using much of it after a fair bit of scouring through the internet. Found a good price for normal brass stuff but it would have been nice! Just have to find a gun later on that'll eat up what I have for the chinese stuff.
 
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