Italian/Danish M1 7.62 Nato question

[BigMofoFrog]

I have recently picked up a very nice Danish contract Garand 7.62 (Tipo 2- 1/2 inch shorter than a 30-06). A little bit of research on the 7.62 vs. commercial .308 still has me wondering. 7.62 is pretty hard to find here in Canada. I've shot Hornady .308 HPBT 168gr Match and Rem UMC .308 150gr FMJ out of my Polytech M305 (M14) without much trouble. Looking up the ballistics for M80 ball (2750fps @146gr), both these are in the neighborhood in terms of muzzle velocity (2700/2650 respectively).

What is everyone using for .308 commercial ammo in there 7.62 Garand? BTW I don't reload. I also have a Shuster adj. gas plug on its way.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Information

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[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Your rifle is a German (or Swiss) conversion of Italian receivers in Europe. Some were imported into Canada a few years ago.

The safe bet is to shoot NATO spec' ammunition, with no bullets much heavier than 165gr. The issue ball is 149gr; Palma bullets are longer and skinnier than machine gun ammo; there are some good 165 gr bullets that won't stress the operating rod if loaded not to snap the parts back too hard. To a nonreloader, I'd suggest 150gr hunting ammunition is as close a match to NATO ball as you'll find on the ammo shelf.

[BigMofoFrog]

That makes sense, there is a "Waff....."- can't make out the rest of the word, stamped on the barrel. Thanks for the info, I really don't want to bend or wear out anything so I'll plan to steer clear of the 168 gr match. At this rate, I may end up having to reload as even .308 (other that Win PP 150 and 180) is scarce. The UMC 150 grain is around $17 per 20rds, when I can find it.

Thanks Maple_Leaf_Eh for your info.

[Calif-Steve]

Swiss, no. German, not likely, as the went to the G3. Italian, likely, as they were making these conversions for themselves and anybody else who wanted them. SARCO has/had spare barrels for sale lately.

[bearhunter]

The description is a little vague. The Italians built a modified Garand with a 20 round magazine with a full auto selector switch. They called it the BM59.

International imported several of these into Canada that had beed converted to semi auto only. They had a couple of different models available at what seemed to be a high price at the time. I wish I had bought one. I was going through a divorce at the time and cash was king.

[jmoore]

His rifle is a "regular old" M1 appearing rifle that had the entire front half moved rearward 1/2" when they built it in 7.62x51. (barrel, op rod, spring, forend, and handguard are all shorter). Hard to find not only because they're scarce but because they blend in w/ the bog standard .30" cal. M2 caliber weapons!

[arado]

I have a Beretta made .308 Garand. Not a BM59. S/N 099.as new and I never fired it. Regards, Gary Moore USN,USA, OGCA,DMC Norton's owners, Sunbeam, MG and Triumph RAT.

[Greg in Philly]

Arado, Is your serial # 099 one of the Reese Surplus M1's brought in back in the 80's? I have # 158.

[arado]

Arado, Is your serial # 099 one of the Reese Surplus M1's brought in back in the 80's? I have # 158.

Yup. I have no idea how many made/imported. Mine is not import marked or fired.A safe queen among many. Mostly I shoot FALs I built. . Regards, Gary

[BigMofoFrog]

Exactly JMOORE- More details for you... It's a Beretta made- Danish contract marked FKF with crown with a serial number PB 92xx on the heel where everyone elses usually says "U.S. Rifle". It was converted at some point during refurb to 7.62 (- 1/2 inch-> 7.62x63 is 30-06 after all, and 1/2" is pretty close to 12mm making it 7.62x51), and appears to have been stored after that- given the cosmoline in every nook and cranny. Same type as yours ARADO, just built 9000+ later.

Any suggestions on Commercial .308? Probably not much to worry about with the Shuster gas plug.

Thanks