The Accurate Reloading Forums
Garand in a different caliber?
16 June 2011, 04:28
PhatmanGarand in a different caliber?
Hi Guys,
I've got a little problem finding a gunsmith that will convert a Garand to any caliber other than .308.
I would like one in 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 but every time I approach a gunsmith about it they act like I should be burned at the stake.

I know you can get adjustable gas blocks for them. Garands are not rare.
So whats the deal here.
Cheers, John
Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt
16 June 2011, 05:43
tiggertateThey make a very nice 338-06. Cliff LaBounty used to rebore them to 338-06; maybe Jim Dubell does since he took over that business. I don't kow if there is enough muzzle diameter to go .358 on a rebore but you ought to be able to rebarrel it bigger than that for sure.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
16 June 2011, 06:00
N E 450 No2Phatman
The 35 Whelen and the 9,3x62 are great calibres no doubt... [PS I have done a LOT of hunting with a 9,3x74R, and do like the 9,3 bore.]
And, I do like the Garand.
However, in the confines of a M1 Garand rifle, what can they do that a 200 or 220gr Premium bullet cannot do in a 30/06 Garand???
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
16 June 2011, 06:29
PhatmanI've just never had a cartridge anchor game more soundly than the 9.3x62.
I have not had to track any thing for the last 2 years. That includes a 300 Win Mag that I used to use.
I just think that a shortened Garand in this caliber would be a pure joy.
Cheers, John
Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt
16 June 2011, 09:36
akrietTim Shufflin at
www.shuffsparkerizing.com is a Garand craftsman and builds them in 35 Whelen.
16 June 2011, 11:25
PhatmanHot Damn,
I knew there had to be someone out there that thought the way I do.
A Mini-G in 35 Whelen will do nicely indeed.
Look out Porky Pig...LOL
Cheers, John
Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt
24 June 2011, 17:16
Fred BouwmanLothar Walther produces 9.3x62 Garand barrels.
http://www.lothar-walther.de/441.php26 June 2011, 06:27
PhatmanSo I can have a Garand in 9.3x62.
I was thinking it would work.
Cheers, John
Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt
26 June 2011, 09:00
akrietI don't know for sure, but I think that the width of the 9.3x62 case mouths will be too wide to fit 8 rds (in the enbloc clip) between the two vertical rails in the receiver. Maybe, you could use a Holbrook device to retain the clip in the rifle, and just load 4 or 5 or ?? in the retained clip?
Maybe someone knows for sure and will chime in. Does anyone know what is the largest bullet diameter that rebored/rebarreled Garands will accept and still hold eight rounds in the clip (and without altering the receiver)?
27 June 2011, 00:38
PhatmanI'm not sure my self either.
I know I want to keep the clip. I'm going to have to email the guy that does the 35 Whelen conversion to find out.
I would gladly settle for a 35 Whelen. But absolutely nothing on this earth will survive 8 rounds of 9.3x62.
Cheers, John
Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt
27 June 2011, 02:27
RothkeA Garand in something other than God's caliber?
-- I'll get a rope . . .

27 June 2011, 05:35
Fred BouwmanA Garand clip holds seven rounds of 9.3x62 like it was made for it.
Sometime ago(may still be??) there were those offering the Garand in 458WinMag and always wondered how was the op rod/gas system able to take the increase in energy since it is generally accepted to not shoot heavier bullets in the std. Garand in '06??
Is the gas port modified to accomplish using calibers other than the '06 class?? FYI, CMP is now offering stripped, refinished receivers to those belonging to affiliated clubs or competetion shooters. Price is 195.00
29 June 2011, 23:25
China Fleet Sailorquote:
Originally posted by MFD:
Sometime ago(may still be??) there were those offering the Garand in 458WinMag and always wondered how was the op rod/gas system able to take the increase in energy since it is generally accepted to not shoot heavier bullets in the std. Garand in '06??
Is the gas port modified to accomplish using calibers other than the '06 class?? FYI, CMP is now offering stripped, refinished receivers to those belonging to affiliated clubs or competetion shooters. Price is 195.00
Schuster's nuts.
Schuster makes an adjustable gas nut so you can bleed off however much gas you want and you won't mess up your op-rod shooting heavy loads.
There used to be a company that made .338 and .458 WinMag Garands. You supplied the Garand and something like $2500.
I don't think they're still in the business because, like most of the rest of the world, I couldn't see the point. All that money, and you end up with a rifle you can't take to Africa because almost no where lets you hunt with a self-loader.
quote:
Originally posted by MFD:
Sometime ago(may still be??) there were those offering the Garand in 458WinMag and always wondered how was the op rod/gas system able to take the increase in energy since it is generally accepted to not shoot heavier bullets in the std. Garand in '06??
Is the gas port modified to accomplish using calibers other than the '06 class?? FYI, CMP is now offering stripped, refinished receivers to those belonging to affiliated clubs or competetion shooters. Price is 195.00
The name of the guy that does the belted magnum conversions escapes me. He is gone now, he passed sometime last year. I am unsure if his shop in Parkland is still around.
Sorry to hear of his passing. Always wondered what it would be like to shoot such a rifle in the 458WM, but could not imagine any practical use for it other than perhaps blowing hinges off of doors and such. Off topic a bit, but have read where some BAR's have been converted to 458WM. Big Bears??
04 July 2011, 20:04
scojacquote:
Originally posted by RyanB:
quote:
Originally posted by MFD:
Sometime ago(may still be??) there were those offering the Garand in 458WinMag and always wondered how was the op rod/gas system able to take the increase in energy since it is generally accepted to not shoot heavier bullets in the std. Garand in '06??
Is the gas port modified to accomplish using calibers other than the '06 class?? FYI, CMP is now offering stripped, refinished receivers to those belonging to affiliated clubs or competetion shooters. Price is 195.00
The name of the guy that does the belted magnum conversions escapes me. He is gone now, he passed sometime last year. I am unsure if his shop in Parkland is still around.
The name of the man who did the Garand conversions was Richard McCann of McCann Industries in Spanaway, WA. Richard passed away last year at the age of 52. A terrible loss for the shooting community. He designed and sold the adjustable gas valve for Garands and did the .338 WM and .458 WM Garand conversions.
His widow is running the company now. They no longer do the conversions, but now market a line of high quality mounts for scopes, night vision, and thermal imagers along with the adjustable gas system and some other items. Their website URL is
www.mccannindustries.com.
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I have an email off to Shuffs to see if he will do a 9,3 for me with a barrel I supply. What is your vote gentlemen--Mini or full size?
06 July 2011, 01:23
PhatmanOh I am still trying to make up my mind on that one too.
The mini is soooooo slick but just how much your loosing out of the 9.3 is a question.
I know I can get a 285 gr bullet@2400 out of a 20 inch barrel out of my CZ but a 16? I dont know.
I might just have to go full size, I can always cut it later.
Cheers, John
Still digging through all my junk looking for a Garand reciever...LOL I know I had 3

Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt
I asked, he doesn't have the headspace guages. I need to find out if I can just loan them to him. I also need to find out what it takes to get an LW barrel.
I've seen at least one Garand in 8x57JS. Try and get your mind around that one!

Jason
"Chance favors the prepared mind."
17 October 2011, 23:42
AtkinsonNo reason that I can come up with as to why a Garand wouldn't take a 9.3x62, Man that would be a buffalo thumper! multiple 9.3 hits would devastate any animal I know.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com