Jeff Olsen
Handloader
- Nov 10, 2006
- 294
- 2
roysclockgun":2z32cgyo said:Jeff wrote: "Supposedly, Springfield offered M1a's in .358 very early on but I've never heard of one existing physically. "
Isn't there a very critical problem with too high pressure in US M1 Rifles and US M14 rifles, causing warping of the op rod? Maybe Springfield ran into that problem when they chambered M1A rifles for .358?
Maybe! It's gotta be surmountable, though. I mean... I don't think a .358 is any higher-pressure than a .308. I think it has to do with the pressure curve of the load more than anything. You don't want the pressure to be too high when the gas gets to the gas port or yes, you will abuse your op-rod.
I love my M1a's. I have two Springfields, a big Match version and then a Bush variant in a camo stock, on which I have put the tritium front site from a SOCOM and a large ghost ring rear aperature, as well as a forward mounted "tactical" light in a mount I very carefully fitted to the gas block. Anyway, it's my go-to gun for middle of the night "issues" on our rural property in Oregon... not that I need to use it often. Usually I end up whacking a possum or racoon with my .22 instead.
-jeff