Help before "breaking-up my "new" .308 Garand

[caporal]

Hi everyone

I know it as been discussed but I don't find where so I called at "specialist" of the M1/M14

I'm about to finish my new toy it's a .308 Garand. The gun is already fully assembled it only missed the 2 hand-guards & the mag spacer & yes the barrel as been installed by a professional.

Before going to firing range I need some advices.

Especially I wish to know what type of ammo should be ideal or suitable for a .308 Garand

If I go to the local Crappy Tire can I found something usable ?

If I remember well I read something about bullet over 150Grs can damage the op-rod (at least on M14) is it the same thing with converted Garand?

I also hear that it could be necessary to oversize the gaz port on the barrel to have enough impulsion to make the rifle cycle propely.

I just put something like over 800 bucks to built this M1 & I don't want to blow-up the rifle a the first round fired

Also if there is something special or critical to know before firing the first round & If you have other trick or advices for these specials M1 please let me know.

Any help & links will be appreciated

Reloading recipes & useful links also welcome

Thanks

Laurent"Caporal"Marcotte

 

[Klunk]

Well...

I rebarrelled a Garand to .308.

I only fire surplus out of it (FNMis great stuff). Almost all surplus is around 150 gr. You are correct about heavier bullets pounding the action excessively.

The barrel I have alread had the correct size gas hole. It functions flawlessly

The mag spacer isnt really important. The en-bloc clip holds the rounds and I have never had a 'clip full' come loose in the magazine housing. The spacer is mainly to prevent someone from shoving a clip full of 30-06 into the mag

And remember....GREASE....not oil for a Garand