I want one...what should it cost??

OCCAM

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As I mentioned in another thread here in the main battle rifle section, I want a semi auto in .358 win.

I do not own a m-14 clone at this time, I do have a M1 garand in 308 (that I love to shoot but am no expert with regards to care, reloading for it, or tuning)

I would like to know:

1. Would a rebarreled chinese m-14 be as versatile with regards to bullet weights as say a bolt gun (IE: 125gr to 310 gr in a 1-16 twist)?

2. Would it be able to handle full pressure loads?

3. what would it cost(the conversion and essential tuning)?

4. who can do the work?


I am totally sold on the idea of a Semi in .358 win I just need the right platform.

thanks

Cam
 
the m-14 shouldn't take anything greater than 170 grain loads without battering the op rod and the rest of the action all to heck- so that makes anything bigger than 308 a BAD idea- same deal as the 173 grain bullet in the garand in 06- if you want something in 358 , look for something FACTORY CHAMBERED in 358- maybe a bar, or one of the pumps
 
I would like to know:

1. Would a rebarreled chinese m-14 be as versatile with regards to bullet weights as say a bolt gun (IE: 125gr to 310 gr in a 1-16 twist)?

2. Would it be able to handle full pressure loads?

3. what would it cost(the conversion and essential tuning)?

4. who can do the work?

1) NO semi is going to be as load-versatile s a bolt gun, but you should be able to make an M14 as close as any semi can get. It is a robust operating system.

2) Yes, if you use an over-power action spring and appropriately size the gas hole in the bbl. You'll need to order a barrel blank and start with the smallest possible gas hole and open it up with your chosen load until the gun *JUST* cycles reliably.

3) ALOT. Most of the cost will be in having a blank turned into an M14 barrel which has pretty specific contours.

4) A real gunsmith with a mill and lathe and the skills to use both. And I do mean a REAL gunsmith. A lot of guys claim to be gunsmiths because they can blue something or drill and tap an action. A real gunsmith has a machine shop at his place of business and is also at least a semi-trained machinist.
 
1. Would a rebarreled chinese m-14 be as versatile with regards to bullet weights as say a bolt gun (IE: 125gr to 310 gr in a 1-16 twist)?

2. Would it be able to handle full pressure loads?

3. what would it cost(the conversion and essential tuning)?

4. who can do the work?

You can probably find more info on conversion on TFL forum. I made a similar search for a moose rifle 2 months ago. I was first considering a M14 in .338federal. Finally it's seems easier/more reliable to rebarrel a Garand in .35Whelen. Many conversion were built in the US by just redoing the rifling in an old Garand. So here I am, looking for my first Garand.

1-2) M1 and M14 gas system were designed for the mil-spec ammo. To shoot an M14 with heavier than 168gr bullet, it's recommended to use a grooved piston. Or Schuster makes adjustable an gas-plug for M14 and Garand. I'll get one for my .35Whelen Garand.

3) I guess to just recut the rifling in an old Garand should be around 500$.
If you're richer than me, you might try to import a McCann Garand in .338win mag or .458mag

4) Don't know yet.

Let us know how your project evolves.
 
Long ago, when the M1A first came to Canada(late 70's-early 80's), they were chambered in .243 Win, .308 Win and .358 Win. The .243's and .358's didn't sell well though and were dropped by SA Inc. Don't think many .243's or .358's made it up here, but you might find one if you look long enough. Never saw a .358 in the shop(SA's Canadian distributor at the time) I worked in at the time though. There was one SM in .243.
Now, you'd be looking at a cu$tom barrel and all the work required to make a .358 work. You'll have a long search for a commercial semi-auto in .358. I believe Browning chambered their BAR in .358 at one time. Not any more though. The Winchester M100 was chambered in it too.
I'd forget the 310 grain bullets. COAL would be too long for the action and mag.
"...125 grains..." The lightest .35 cal bullet I found from a quick search is a 180. Typical .358 Win loads start at 150 grains. Usually 200 and up though.
 
You forget that pistol bullets for 357 and possibly 9mm can be loaded in .358 win.

yes, I realize that most 125 gr pistol bullets may not make it to the target but it would be fun finding which ones did.

As for the 310gr bullets they are RN so may not be a problem.

Its not a big issue if they didn't work as 225 partitions are probably the best all round bullet for big game in .358 win anyway.
 
As for recutting the rifling in a garrand, I think there's only one shop in Canada that does it and that's Ron Smith. Last I heard he was backed up over 2 years. Hope you aren't in a hurry.
 
I wont be recutting the garand, it shoots great.

I was really wanting to know about reworking a norinco/poly and if I would be able to achieve the desired result. (300 yard "Everything" gun)
 
Just out of curiosity what are you planning on hunting?
It is going to cost you an absolute fortune to get a custom M14 barrel made.
One idea is to get a USGI gas cylinder and both a Sadlak grooved gas piston as well as a GI piston.
When you go hunting put in the grooved piston and bang away with 180 grain 308 then put the GI piston back in to shoot M80 ball.
I can't think of many north american game animals that 180 grain 308's wont take down.
 
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