I am curious why anyone would take the Garande over the M-14 for combat.
Both shoot powerful cartridges and have a similar feel. (I would think for combat the extra capacity would be an easy winner.)
I would pick a Garande over an M1a, and probably over the M14. I admit that I only have "book" knowledge of these, have never been in a firefight, have never undergone any real training, and if I say anything that is wrong, inaccurate, or misleading, by all means, correct me:
IIRC, both the Garande and the M14 are very acurate guns, with the M14 being a bit more accurate. They are both powerful and fast rounds, with the 30-06 being a bit more powerful than the .308. The differance in power and accuracy is small, and (YMMV) either way, the lower end of one variable is still well above what is needed to get the job done.
I don't know very much about tactics, techniques, or tricks of the trade when it comes down to using one rifle or the other, or even combat in general. My tactics are going to be limited to running to cover where I can fire from. I'm not going to be making these spectacular 1,000 yard shots, I'm going to be point/instictive shooting - not because thats the best way, but because I'd be so wired I would going off of reflexes, muscle memory, and instinct - so the added acuracy of the M14 isn't going to do me much good.
That little bit extra bit of force from the 30-06, the ability to penetrate cover a little bit more, and semi auto only fire would emphasizes my (almost nonexistent and imagined) strengths.
As for magazine capacity, I'm a clumsy guy. I'm going to drop magazines, so I'd rather not have all my eggs in the one basket. Also, since I'd be doing reloads in practice with the Garande, I'm less likely to screw that up. I do have kind of a soft spot for the Garande, so its very likely that these are all justifications to support that choice, instead of data that lead to that choice.
Sorry I was so long winded and incoherent. As always, opinions or corrections that contradict me will be met with open ears.
Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson