I'm much more familiar with the 03 Springfield, & M1 "thumb" Garand and I have not hunted with them. These were Uncle Sam's & I have fired them on ranges. I regret not taking the chance to get a decent 03 springfield when I could. They always struck me as superb rifles and well machined. Heavy by today's sporter standards, though! Doubt that I would get an M1 Garand. While I went to Indochina with the Mattel Toy and cold c rations, Mrs Biscuit's dad took his Remington 3006 auto to Alaska and brough home moose & bear roasts! He used 180 grain bullets exclusively. At this point, I doubt that a good springfield will cross my path again. The last decent one I saw was in a good gunshop in Falls Church, VA, in 1974. I see the 06 as a magnum without a belt, and I think it deserves more than a 22" barrel both for less punishment on the shooter, both in recoil and muzzle blast, and better balistics. (Sure, I recognize the other arguments.) It can be loaded with 220 grain bullets (and more!) if you need a heavy pill. Most available round in any whistle stop that sells bullets from what I see. With two world wars behind it and countless battle streamers... yup, I just gotta salute it. Like the .303 British and the 45-70, this is a heritage cartridge that works, and works well. Otherwise, my shooter experience is on the anti personnel end, and I will set that aside for this forum.