Garand Conversion

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JohnnyJ

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The 30-06 Garand is an excellent piece and the 308 conversion is easier to find ammo for.

However, I'm thinking of converting one of mine to 338-06 or 35 Whelen.

I'll take a shot out barrel and see if Ron Smith will rebore it as he has done to several other rifles of mine.

Basic operation(loading, feeding, ejection etc) should be identical to the 30-06 version since the 338-06 and the 35 Whelen are necked up versions of the 30-06 and operate at the same pressure level.

It's a bit heavier than my Rem 7600, however a few years ago 20yr old men carried theirs all over Europe, so I can't see any problems with a day of hunting. I can shoot almost as good with iron sights as a scope and Moose/Elk/Deer are big targets so that works for me.

I should have a heck of a Moose and Elk rifle.

Anyone else done this?
Any potential problems?

Thanks
John
 
I can see a potential problem with the op-rod (i.e. bending it). I've always understood that you want to stay with bullets weighing less than 180 grains with the Garand.
 
As I understand it, that is a pressure phenomena not purely a bullet weight problem.
The gas system doesn't know what bullet is being used, it only "sees" the pressure.
I figure if I stay with a powder that gives me a similar pressure curve to a decent 30-06 Garand load, I should be OK.
The 30-06 Garand benefits from "fast" powders and IMR4895 and/or H4895 are generally favoured.
In order to keep the pressure curve similar, I should be able to use "fast" 35 Whelen(or "fast" 338-06) powders safely.

Sound good so far?

John
 
JohnnyJ said:
As I understand it, that is a pressure phenomena not purely a bullet weight problem.
The gas system doesn't know what bullet is being used, it only "sees" the pressure.
I figure if I stay with a powder that gives me a similar pressure curve to a decent 30-06 Garand load, I should be OK.
The 30-06 Garand benefits from "fast" powders and IMR4895 and/or H4895 are generally favoured.
In order to keep the pressure curve similar, I should be able to use "fast" 35 Whelen(or "fast" 338-06) powders safely.

Sound good so far?

John
Click to expand...
I like the idea. 35 Whelen would be my pick.....:)
 
There are adjustable gas plugs available. I'd start with the gas completely open, and then work back to functioning the op rod and cycling the feed sequence. Your conversion is not intended to be a true milsurp classic, so modifcations that do not alter permanent parts are worth exploring.

My simple mind imagines a homemade adjustable gas plug made with a drill bit and a large diameter allen head screw. It probably wouldn't take much change to disable the normal functioning.
 
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Check out
http://w w w.gokart.net/shop-utopia/mccann/rifles/garand/garand.html
(take out spaces between w's)
It has been done in 338
35 whelen is too large a bore for a Garand barrel. I know this because I own several Garands and a tape measure.
If you cut up an M1 to make a moose rig then I'm gonna.... get pretty mad. Just don't do it okay? I'll sell you a 35 whelen on a german 98 action with sako express sights mounted in a boyd's laminate. Or, buy a crappy norinco m14 an chop her up, thats what they're made for, right?
 
If you cut up an M1 to make a moose rig then I'm gonna.... get pretty mad. Just don't do it okay?
Click to expand...
I plan on converting my Garand in such a way so I can return it to its original configuration. Geez, what kind of gun nut do you think I am!
Should amount to only a barrel change.


I'll sell you a 35 whelen on a german 98 action with sako express sights mounted in a boyd's laminate.
Click to expand...
Got something with a Lefthand bolt for me?

Or, buy a crappy norinco m14 an chop her up, thats what they're made for, right?
Click to expand...
I smell a 358 Win or a 338-08 AKA 338 Federal coming on.

Gotta love those big bullets!

Good Luck
John
 
Honestly, I think you'd end up with a bent op-rod if you did one of the conversion options. I don't know the physics involved, but i know it's not too hard to wreck an op-rod if one doesn't pay attention to several variables when loading. If you insist on trying, let me know. I have a shot out SA barrel I can give to Ron for you at the next sheutzen meet. Oh, don't forget about chrome lining in the chamber.... plus, you can't just set back the shoulder and re-chamber like a bolt action- the muzzle to breechface distance must remain the same, and one full turn of new thread would be needed to index the splines...ok, go ahead and try. Jeff
 
Shouldn't have to set back anything.
The 35 Whelen and the 338-06 are merely necked up 30-06.
The SA Garand I'm going to convert already has a functioning and snakelike op-rod already.

Good info. Keep it coming.

Thanks
John
 
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"...cut up an M1 to make a moose rig..." It's already a 'moose rig'.
Having any barrel bored out will cost a fortune.
 
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