M1 for hunting?

[Eddie in Delta]

Has anyone used a Garand or M1A for hunting?  I watched a WW2 movie a while ago and got the Garand itch.  Probably won't ever get one, but oh well.

How accurate are Garands?  I saw an add in the Shotgun News that had a "GI" grade with 2.5 MOA.  Not spectacular to say the least, especially here in the west with long shots.

Thanks,
Eddie

[alpini]

I did once. It was the only rifle I had at the time. Shot a cow elk at a little over a hundred yards using commercial 30'06 220's. That was a long time ago.
  If I had to do it over again, I'd much prefer my bolt action k98. A lot more suited for hunting in the mountains and deserts for me. That Garand is a lota rifle to lug around in those hills.

[Loozinit]

I've owned three Garands and deeply regret selling them (divorce).  I hunted two seasons with one and bagged deer with no problem.  I can see why alot of GI's hated lugging them around but I just worked into a good spot and waited - no problem.  The Garand is at home at the rest.  Good off-hand as well because the weight keeps it still.  Very comfortable to shoot at the range all day with no sore shoulder in the morning.  One of mine was so-so accurate but two of them were way more accurate than I can (could) shoot.  I will always wonder what a really good shot might have done.  Go ahead, give it a go.

[vinconco]

I had to take mine out for mountain whitetail.... heavy, big and noisy.  Seems like everything about it made noise, didn't notice it until I tried to be quiet.  I did shoot a couple while watching a field and at 300 yds the noise didn't bother them... at first.

[Rustyinfla]

They'll work just fine as long as you can use a semi auto where you are. If you're going to shoot any big bullets or a really fast handload I would first by pass the gas system so you don't take a chance of damaging the opperating rod. A Garand is actually intended to function within a fairly narrow pressure range. If you try to get to hot with it bad things can happen. To be on the safe side just get an extra gas plug ( I know that isn't the proper name for it but it's 01:15 hrs) that screws in the end of the gas chamber and drill an 1/8" hole in it. This will make the Garand a push pull bolt gun but it will still be a Garand and you won't damage anything.

            Rusty <><

[DakotaElkSlayer]

Go to a local gunshop and handle one...  Accuracy can be great, but like the other guys said they aren't the lightest thing to carry.

Jim

[prairiedog555]

I use my M1 every year for deer drives and sometimes in ground blind.  Have filled my two tags in 2 seconds before.  I really like it.  I have very accurate scoped rifles that I enjoy shooting, but for hunting I like the sight picture and quick shot ability of the M1.  And how much heavier is it, most scoped hunting rigs are 7-8 lbs.  Not a problem for me.  I use 180gr core lockts, really starches those big Kansas deer.  They go down and never get back up. 
Do you really need a scope?  If you can't hit a pie plate at 200 yd with a M1 with a little practice I would be surprised.

[targshooter]

As a young man in the 1970s I used an M-1 Garand for plenty of woodchuck hunting. Where I hunted in those days it was not legal for deer, and its weight, stock design and heft would have made it poor on snap shots at running deer, at least for me. However, for walking hedge rows and shooting chucks on the other side, it was pretty good. Good offhand shooting platform, and these were stationary targets. I suppose one could use it from a stand. In general for me, peep sights are useless in poor light. The low light problem inherent to peeps is exacerbated by the M1 front sight with its dark post framed by protective wings. Nice on the target range with well defined targets or on chucks in a sunlit field; but poor in low light and mottled sighting environments as in mature woods on moving targets, at least for me.

[teddy12b]

If you knew a guy thinking about getting a Garand, would you tell him to go new or used? 

The CMP has used ones that are reasonably priced, but are pretty banged up, and there is no way to tell what kind of accuracy you'll get.

Springfield makes a brand new Garand and it costs a lot more, but it looks good, but I don't know how well they'd shoot.

1 1/2"MOA at 100 yards is the worst I can stand, but I know there are gunsmiths that can tune these rifles up too.

[prairiedog555]

To get a M1 I would check out www.gunsamerica.com.  They always have some to sell.  I have a 1950's era model.  I love it and shoot it often.  I would not get a WW11 era, or any not from Springfield.  Just to be safe.  Unless it is a relic and then you don't want to shoot it.
Or a new one would be OK also, I would get a .308 in that instance.
I buy guns two ways.  Spend what you have to to get the best, if you think you will keep it a long time, or get a great bargain and take your chances. 
I was in the gambling business for many years and I try to play the percentages.  Besides, if you live long enough every quality thing you buy will be a deal some day.

[LEO]

The M1 Garand is a fine rifle but as others have said it is heavy to carry.  The one big caution that has already been brought up is the ammo M-2 Ball ammo that the Garand was designed to shoot operates at a lower pressure/velocity than most commercially loaded 30-06 ammo.  The result is that it is easy to bend the operating rod with this ammo.  If you choose to shoot regular 30-06 only use 150 grain bullets and standard loads, none of the light magnum or extra power stuff available.  The best option would be to use handloads tailored to M-2 specs with expanding bullets.  I have a GI issue Springfield Armory rifle that will easily shoot 1.75 inch 5 shot groups a 100 yards so accuracy is not an issue.  Good hunting