Congratulations Canoeguy, that’s a nice looking rifle! I bought a M1A “Loaded” several years ago (maybe 15 years ago...?) and it has a stainless steel barrel. I’ve only shot it a couple of times and put it in the back of the safe. It was very accurate, and smooth to shoot the .308. It’s one of those, “they don’t make them like they used to kind of rifles,” but yet they still do. Well, except for the forged receivers, but does it really matter...
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Enjoy that rifle, I think you’ve inspire to get mine out and shoot it!!