Starting out - Need a rifle

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sharp21

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Hi All,

I'm selling off a few things to fund a service rifle to come compete with this summer & hunt with in the fall. I'm looking for recommendations as to which to buy.

I like the M14's, the price is right & they are readily available. I also like the M1 Garand. I'll be keeping the iron sights either way & am not interested in accessorizing it all up.

The Garand has the pedigree as well & would also consolidate my ammo, as my current hunting rifle is a 30-06.

Any other big arguments for or against the Garand?

S.
 
The only issue I can see with the Garand is the 10rd rapids. As long as you don't loose count and shoot more than 10 or you could use some modified enblocks so that you had two 5rd blocks or a 2rd block.
 
Both rifles have decent and available rounds that meet and exceed many levels of shooting. Can't go wrong with either one as far as I'm concerned. Both are very good choices.
 
I'd have to say the M 14. The garands are hugely more expensive. And if you want to do some little mods, or beat it up when hunting it won't really matter. Plus more money for ammo and for practice.
 
Both the M14 and Garand are excellent rifles. The M14 would be easier to keep track of reloads with removable mags. The big downfall is the cost of .308 or 30-06 ammo. Even if you reload you are looking at 200 rounds or more for a match plus practice. I would pick the polytech M14 if given the two options.
 
If you are starting out in formal service rifle competition, using either a M-14 or M-1 is going to make the learning curve a bit steeper.
Don't know that there would be any reloading advantage with changing M-14 magazines vs reloading an M-1 with the chargers. For the 10rd rapids start loaded with two, reload with eight.
Iron sights and recoil would be the greatest challenges. An M-14 is easily and effectively 'scoped.
 
Plink said:
Ammo cost.

Compare .308 to .225
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He wants to hunt with it in the fall, that probably means deer and/or moose.

M14s or 305 and take a Hungry clinic. The rifle is about half the price of the cheapest M1 Garand I've seen lately and the ammo uses less powder to get up to speed. Get into reloading and you should be able make ammo for around 55 cent a piece. You'll also need a butt load of mags if I'm not mistaken. Keep an eye on the EE, you might be able to pick one up with a few essential mods for the price of a stock one new. For instance I saw within the last year an M14s with Garand sights and a Tartan Tactical Op Rod for $450.

If you didn't want to hunt with it something in 223 would make a lot of sense. Too bad you can only use a restricted on a range. True north strong and free indeed.
 
I shoot service with an M14 but a couple years ago while waiting for my new M14 build I used my buddy's M1 Garand with irons. Did pretty good with it in the deliberates but needed more practice on the rapids. As long as you're having fun who cares! When I did the rapids I loaded the 8 round enbloc...shot *ping* load another 8 rounder and did the last 2 shots needed to finish...unloaded the rest of the ammo....no big deal!
 
I'm gonna go with the M14. There is so much support for them here & the price is right.
Just sold a few things on Kijiji and raised the money for it! Now to watch the EE for the right one.
S.
 
sharp21 said:
I'm gonna go with the M14. There is so much support for them here & the price is right.
Just sold a few things on Kijiji and raised the money for it! Now to watch the EE for the right one.
S.
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I hope you reload. Otherwise 150 rounds for a match is going to burn all your spare cash lol
 
SoBored said:
Keep an eye on the EE, you might be able to pick one up with a few essential mods for the price of a stock one new. For instance I saw within the last year an M14s with Garand sights and a Tartan Tactical Op Rod for $450.
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What essential mods should I be looking for?

S.
 
Look at the stickies. Lots of good advice.
If you are going to be shooting with iron sights, you will want to make sure that these are dependable, predictable, and hold the settings.
 
Hi sharp21.

I'm in the same boat with you right now, about to take the plunge and try service rifle this year at Borden. I too will be using the M14 for my first year, knowing all the pros and cons. The cost of ammo will be a factor, but for one year I can swing it and plan to collect the brass when I can and try my hand at reloading starting next winter.

Just got my RPal, but it won't be ready for this spring, so I plan to wait until next winter to even entertain the idea of an AR15 or similar for service rifle, and even then it will depend on how much I enjoy the M14 in these events.

I plan to shoot it with irons for a few sessions before scoping it, and plan on being equipped with a 1.5-4x for my first service rifle attempt.

You won't find any M14 mags on EE because I will get them first if they come up! :D I joke, and imagine I will drop the $ to buy as many 5/20's as I need when I purchase my rifle, which I intend to do before the end of this month.

I share your excitement to try this, and will keep track of what you post here regarding your setup. I hope to see you on the range someday, will be easy to spot the guys with the .308's!

Good luck.
 
SoBored said:
If you didn't want to hunt with it something in 223 would make a lot of sense. Too bad you can only use a restricted on a range. True north strong and free indeed.
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What gun would a guy get in 223 for service rifle? I've been seeing lots of CHEAP 223 around town lately. I suppose I could just keep hunting with my 30-06...

S.
 
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