Boofer wrote on 10/18/12 at 19:03:48:First, I would love to have a Garand, but I do have a fine 1873 Springfield .45-70 trapdoor given to me by my Papaw. Yes I know its limitations, so I hunt with an H&R single shot or a NEF--Iforget.
Second, I am not the black rifle type, but a friend's son built one for about $550 and showed it to me. First one I have ever touched. I could build one on a budget and take a year, so that's on my mind.
C. Our local Walmart sent out a circular with a DPMS? 5.56 for about $650..not really sure on the price.
Also I believe you can shoot 5.56 in a .223 but not .223 in a 5.56. Is that right? I think I would like the option to use whatever ammo is cheap/available at the time. Somebody tell me if I'm right. I have about 15 guns including a muzzleloader, just not up to speed on the ARs.

And yes, I hear good things about the M&Ps
To the best of my understanding, just like 7.62 NATO is a beefed up version of a .308 Winchester,
the 5.56 NATO is a beefed up version of the .223 Remington.
You CAN and will happily shoot a lifetime's supply of .223 in a rifle officially chambered for 5.56 NATO, and you
might safely shoot 5.56 NATO in a rifle chambered for .223.
The point is that whereas .308 and .223 were designed to chamber in sporting rifles, predominantly bolt action (hence, reasonably tough) their NATO counterparts have to cycle reliably in respectively the MG42/59 and/or the M12, and the Minimi machine guns.
Now, you will ALL agree there's quite a difference between this

and this

The same applòies in .223 Remington / 5.56 NATO.
And anyway... why oh why do away with a Garand chambered in 30-06? If you MUST do anything about that rifle, have it rechambered for .308.
The shorter throw of the receiver will make for apparently smoother and crisper action, and quite possibly for cheaper ammo too.
But you can't just "throw away" a piece of American history...

I wish I could have opne, but here they sell of $1500 minimum...