Thinking about a CMP Garand but I need some good input

[jaybet]

Hi guys!
I'm thinking about ordering a Garand from CMP. I have slowed down buying stuff but I've always wanted one so I'm thinking of doing it. I would probably just take it out and shoot a few-to-several times a year, show it to family and friends, maybe  do a couple of casual competitions at my range...nothing too ambitious. I just love the platform though,  and I want one.

Having said that I'm confused about whether to get a service grade in 30.06 or a rebuilt in .308. As they are described, the service grade is 30.06 and wears all GI parts but maybe (probably) not original. Also they don't do well with today's 30.06 and need lighter rounds or a gas block mod. 30.06 is basically a buck a shot.
The .308 has an original receiver but is re-barreled, new(-ish) stocks, etc. They say it is basically a new gun. The .308 is much more plentiful and cheaper, and from what I've read so far people who have both variations say they are more accurate with the .308.

So I can't decide whether I want the cheaper-to-shoot newer gun or the more historic, duty worn piece that costs more to shoot. I just can't come up with which way to go on that. I'll probably start loading the caliber I get so that's not a huge issue.  Also, the .308 is about $300 more at $1030 than the service grade 30.06.

Any philosophical opinions?
 

[Big Frank]

If it was me I'd go with the .30-06 it was designed for. If you want a .308 get an M1A. Why limit yourself to an 8-round clip when you can have a 20-round detachable box magazine in the same caliber?

[Rastus]

I went with the 30-06 this year.   The CMP looks like it is out of the Greek ammo.  It was $110 for 200 rounds. 

[crusader rabbit]

I have long believed the purpose of a gun, any gun, was the ability to send projectiles down range with the greatest accuracy and highest level of efficiency possible.  That includes economic efficiency.  I also hold that certain guns, while not at all economically efficient, are worthy of owning just because--.50 BMG comes to mind.  And, there are certain guns that have little practical value except to look pretty, but a combat gun doesn't fall into that category.

Owning a gun solely for its collectible value has never held a great appeal for me.  High value collectibles attract thieves and just having something in the safe doesn't do much for anyone. 

Everything in my safe is a shooter.  Some are sort of duplicates in a sense.  I have a couple of .22 rifles--one bolt, one semi--and I enjoy shooting them both.  The bolt action is the closest thing to a collectible because it is the very first gun I ever shot at around age seven or eight.  It belonged to my favorite uncle and that gun is now nearing the century mark in longevity.  It's still in excellent condition.  The semi is one of those Remington nylon stock bad boys that shoots 20 rounds just as fast as you can wiggle your finger.  In short, it's great good fun.

Any gun you need to get "special" ammo for, or reload with a lighter charge or lighter bullets would seem to me to be a non-starter.  The caveat here would be if I suddenly found I had more money than I could possibly know what to do with, I might build an extra room on the house to safe-like specs and buy lots of guns I don't need and wouldn't expect ever to shoot. I do not foresee that condition eventuating.

So, my vote would be for the .308.  Good deer gun.  Good bear gun.  Phenomenal range gun.  Reasonable safe queen.  Shootable with conventional ammo.  Decent price.  All the panache you could ask for in an "almost" new gun.  And, except for the barrel, the gun has probably seen all the combat you could want.

FWIW,
Crusader Rabbit

[alfsauve]

Oh what the heck,  get a piece of history.  Go with the 30-06

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

Buy bofvavum...

[PegLeg45]

There are ammo manufacturers like Federal and S&B that make "Garand" specific commercial ammo.

If you load for yourself, there are certain burn rate powders and maximum bullet weights to use, but it is doable.

Get the '06 and shoot the heck out of it.

There's my two pennies. 

[jaybet]

I went with the 30-06 this year.   The CMP looks like it is out of the Greek ammo.  It was $110 for 200 rounds.

How long did it take for you to actually get it?

[jaybet]

Buy bofvavum...

If I could afford that I wouldn't have even brought it up!   

[jaybet]

I'm so fortunate to get serious responses from such an august group, I trust all of your opinions.
Crusader, your advice on the .308 I understand very well, and that line of thinking is what has caused me to puzzle over this so hard. I was thinking that way all along and also had been thinking of picking something else up in .308.

I think what has emerged in my little mind is that my interest is not so much in the platform as the Garand itself. A friend has a Socom in .308, it's very shootable and it's cool, but it's not a Garand. So it looks like history is more important to me. I'm also not looking to win competitions with it necessarily. I enjoy reloading, and I enjoy gun projects almost as much as shooting, so the more mature, service grade rifle in 30.06 will give me more to tinker with I think. I'm leaning that way.

Thank you all for your sage and hopefully not so sober advice.