Best Semi-Auto 30-06?

[GBExpat]

Yeah, I agree with some of those who have suggested that an M1 with an adjustable gas plug would help you to deplete that excess .30-06 ammo accumulation ... in a very enjoyable fashion.

Here is an old quick-pic of 7 of my 15 CMP M1s.

 

[rbernie]

A slight improvement over the 7400, still not the gun I'd choose to blow off a bunch of assorted .30-06 ammo, unless you're considering it disposable.

The only rifle that I've ever encountered that literally ate its own receiver when used was / is the Rem 74xx/75xx series semiautos. They are literally a life-limited item. I've had one, for a bit, and that was enough.

They also have a really bad habit of jamming on feed if they don't like the bullet profile. Of course, you can't clear the feed jam without dropping the magazine, but when you do that you lose the bolt hold open, so now you have no mechanism to keep the action open while you try to clear the jam, so now you need three hands and yet only have two... <sigh>

Just NO.

I've had several BAR and they are NOT delicate guns; they are built to be used.

 

[Garandimal]

...Options that I'm aware of:
- CMP M1 Garand of questionable quality...

You are misinformed, friend.


The CMP Service Grade Rifle - is a Known Quality - being at, and usually above, spec. ( all parts in spec and operational, and > half service-life of the bore)

All of mine came out near new.


On top of that, the CMP backs up their rifles with free parts/service/replacement/shipping if anything shows up sub-spec.

Contact Customer Service - problem solved.


Find THAT somewhere else for a current market $750 M1 Rifle.

​

GR

 

[Nature Boy]

've had several BAR and they are NOT delicate guns; they are built to be used.

Agreed, not sure where this delicate myth got started

 

[Garandimal]

Both these rifles are BIG and they are HEAVY and it boggles my mind to think of you guys carrying them. Thanks for doing so. Your son, Tim.

They get smaller and lighter... the more you play with'em.

​

GR​

 

[rdnktrkr]

+1 on the Garands, I've never had one from CMP that didn't run good, all you need to do is clean and lube it, I like to wipe the furniture with Zep orange cleaner and rub in either BLO or teak oil.
When at the range I've seen young teens eyes get VERY big when you offer to let them shoot it. They have 3 different locations, Ohio, Oxford AL and Talladega AL, you can go in any and pick up one they have in stock or order one and it gets shipped to your house. I like to add a bayonet and a bag of enblocs to my orders. If you order a Springfield or HRA you will save a couple hundred $s and the HRA looks better than others to me

 

[AlexanderA]

Or a genuine 1918 BAR... they now make a semi-Auto version of the full-auto unit.

https://www.oowinc.com/exclusives/semi-auto/1918a3-slr/

They may be hard to find though.

I have two of these, that I built myself using OOW receivers. I don't think this will serve the OP's purposes, despite having a 3-position gas regulator that can account for variations in ammunition.

First of all, you're looking at a cost of $4,000 apiece, after everything is said and done. The receiver kits from OOW, alone, are $2,000. Secondly, this thing is heavy. You really need to fire it from the bipod, which adds even more weight and awkwardness.

The semiauto M1918A3 is really for military collectors, not practical shooters.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

My M1 was a FedOrd rebuild... I'm going to guess it was a Korean return, or maybe Greek. The stock has as much putty in it as a '72 Pinto, and it's definitely a mix-master parts collection. It did come with a new barrel, and it shoots quite well. Not bad for $360. It's a MAY42 6-digit Springfield, if I did my research right.

Mine was a Blue Sky import, almost certainly ex-Korean, with a broken op-rod spring and a loose-fitting balsa wood stock. Paid a friend $750 for it in 2018 (it was his spare). Stuck on a new Italian-made walnut stock from Sarco, replaced the spring, added a Schuster plug and had CMP Custom Shop rebarrel to .308. They also replaced a broken pinion in the rear sight. Looks almost new again -- I guess I'm into it now for about $1.4K.

According to Canfield's book, my rifle's receiver left Springfield in July 1944 -- I christened her 'Overlord'.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Standard factory ammos do require an adjustable gas plug,...

That is false information.

 

[toivo]

That is false information.

Could you explain that?

 

[Dibbs]

Got the Noreen. Muzzle break is useless as tits on a bull, and it takes a movement of congress to remove it. Thing spends a lot of time being tweaked, been working on it, on and off, for 4 or five years, trying to get it to cycle dependably. Mag springs, gas block adjustments, it's always something. I guess if you are looking for an additional project, it's a great gun. Sure does look impressive.
I'm glad IO got mine on sale, and I surely wouldn't advise to pay close to retail for one.

If I want a 30.06 semi that I can depend upon to cycle properly, I get out the Garand.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Could you explain that?

Yes...the garand can safely use commercial ammo with no modifications. Both commercial and milsurp ammo operate at similar pressure.

The best thing you can do to keep it running is properly greasing it and inspec oprod spring.

It's not as weak as the internet makes it out to be

 

[Picher]

I'd get a Remington 7600 pump and a case of Mountain Dew..............

I suggested the Rem 760, .308 to a friend about 50 years ago, when we were young adults and he still has it! It's been a great trouble-free rifle and it shoots like a bolt gun! They're also lighter to carry than the semi-autos. (I'm still a bolt-guy though.)

 

[P5 Guy]

https://thegca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Can-I-Use-Commercial-Ammo.pdf

The GCA (Garand Collector's Assoc.) did a series of articles on what ammunition is suitable for the M1 Garand.

 

[Jeremy2171]

https://thegca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Can-I-Use-Commercial-Ammo.pdf

The GCA (Garand Collector's Assoc.) did a series of articles on what ammunition is suitable for the M1 Garand.

Too much false information there to be trustworthy

 

[cdb1]

For Hunting, I'd go Browning BAR all the time, with the Benelli R1 being a second choice.

I’d like a BAR with a steel receiver first, alloy receiver BAR second and Benelli R1 third.

 

[tbs]

View attachment 948186

 

[P5 Guy]

Too much false information there to be trustworthy

Such as...?

 

[Borcha]

I have owned an M1 rifle for about 20 years now and in more recent times have added a Browning BAR as well. I see multiple other posters have already completely covered it but for whatever its worth I concur with them. The modern BAR (mine is Hells canyon or some such bs name... does kind of look cool) isn't exactly a battle rifle obviously and it may not be as rugged as an M1 on a relative basis but I would definitely not think of it as "delicate" It'll take whatever reasonable wear and tear you ask of it and whatever you want to do to smash it I would speculate the limiting factor would be whatever optic you mount on it rather than the rifle itself.

The only little quibble I've had with mine is that it consistently dents the necks on the brass it ejects. I'm not sure why that is but as a reloader I wish it didn't do that. If you don't reload its a non issue and one of these days I mean to try to research that so if anybody knows..... I'd be interested to learn.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Such as...?

Chamber pressure differences for one...

Remington ammo is safe in the garand.

Saying Hornady offers no loads for the garand when they do and have for a long time... even though it's not necessary.

Claiming that M2 ball was made specifically for the garand when it wasn't.


Just a poorly researched article done by someone who doesn't know what they are talking about.

 

[shell70634]

I have the Noreen Long Range Assassin in 30-06. No problems with it at all in 6 years. One inch at 200 with 168 handloads. Biggest drawback for me was misplacing magazine, buying new at $135, then finding mag. But I needed a spare anyway. If you're down this way you are welcome to shoot it.

Shelly

 

[horsey300]

I have owned an M1 rifle for about 20 years now and in more recent times have added a Browning BAR as well. I see multiple other posters have already completely covered it but for whatever its worth I concur with them. The modern BAR (mine is Hells canyon or some such bs name... does kind of look cool) isn't exactly a battle rifle obviously and it may not be as rugged as an M1 on a relative basis but I would definitely not think of it as "delicate" It'll take whatever reasonable wear and tear you ask of it and whatever you want to do to smash it I would speculate the limiting factor would be whatever optic you mount on it rather than the rifle itself.

The only little quibble I've had with mine is that it consistently dents the necks on the brass it ejects. I'm not sure why that is but as a reloader I wish it didn't do that. If you don't reload its a non issue and one of these days I mean to try to research that so if anybody knows..... I'd be interested to learn.

Sounds like the shell is being kicked sideways before the bolt is completely back, possibly a lighter spring for the ejector?

 

[entropy]

Yes...the garand can safely use commercial ammo with no modifications. Both commercial and milsurp ammo operate at similar pressure.

The best thing you can do to keep it running is properly greasing it and inspec oprod spring.

It's not as weak as the internet makes it out to be

Never bent an op rod, eh? Good maintenance does reduce the chances of it happening, but the OP mentioned unknown reloads, and that changes things. An M1 wouldn't be the rifle I'd chose to use up such rounds; quite honestly for unknown rounds, no rifle would be; I'd take them down and reuse some of the components. But some of what he has is commercial, and I stand by my choice there: the commercial BAR.

Claiming that M2 ball was made specifically for the garand when it wasn't.

It would be more correct to say the M1 Garand as issued was tailored to the M2 round.

 

[Nature Boy]

the garand can safely use commercial ammo with no modifications.

That's a broad category for 30-06. All commercial ammo? Target Sports USA has 10 pages of commercial 30-06 ranging from 125g to 220g. You've tried them all?

 

[Jeremy2171]

Never bent an op rod, eh? Good maintenance does reduce the chances of it happening, but the OP mentioned unknown reloads, and that changes things. An M1 wouldn't be the rifle I'd chose to use up such rounds; quite honestly for unknown rounds, no rifle would be; I'd take them down and reuse some of the components. But some of what he has is commercial, and I stand by my choice there: the commercial BAR.



It would be more correct to say the M1 Garand as issued was tailored to the M2 round.

The military bent oprods... mainly due to lack of proper lubrication.

And no the garand wasn't tailored to the M2 ball round as that ammunition didn't exist until after the garand was in service.

That's a broad category for 30-06. All commercial ammo? Target Sports USA has 10 pages of commercial 30-06 ranging from 125g to 220g. You've tried them all?

Don't have to try them all CMP says 180gr and below is fine with no modifications. Heavier than that "may" not "will" cause damage.

Actual testing shows 220s operate at similar pressure as milsurp just like other commercial ammo.