I have several thoughts on this. Not that my opinion counts for much.
New shooters LOVE the M-1 Carbine. Reasonably accurate, low recoil and just plain fun.
Reloading is a way to get reasonably priced ammunition. If you can find components. I'm a bottom feeder and in the past year or so, have acquired several thousand pieces of brass and jacketed bullets for less than 10 cents each. Cast bullets are another way to go. Missouri Bullets sells cast bullets with optimum hardness. Or, xxx forbid, one could cast their own. Even buying lead for $1 a pound would yield 60 or so bullets. Scrounging primers and powder, I am reloading 30 Carbine for, are you ready, about 6 cents a shot. And this isn't a few hundred kind of deal. In the last 6 months, I've accumulated suitable components for far less than retail.
To wit:
10 pounds of powder. Average cost, under $15 a pound. ( less than 3 cents each round )
~20,000 primers. Average cost, under $12 a thousand. ( less than 2 cents each round )
1200 pounds of lead. Average cost, under 60 cents a pound. ( less than 1 cent a round)
Brass lasts a minimum of 10 full powered reloads each. ( ~ 1 cent each reload)
So, assuming I can't find more powder, I'm able to load in excess of 5,000 rounds. I'll wager heavy money I will find more powder. In fact, the last batch of powder I bought, most not suitable for .30 Carbine, was bought at auction for $11 a pound. Even were I to shoot jacketed only, my costs, due to bargain prices, would still be about 15 cents a round.
Finally, OP, you opened up the box, we hope you will keep us updated. Ideally with an extended range report. Please?