Which scope for my m1a?

[Rustle in the Bushes]

I am building up a rig for all around fun- deer hunting, target shooting and zombies. Its an 18"bbl model with arms 18 scope mount

I definitely dont want to go crazy big as I will be shooting out to 300 ish(which is far for me at my current skill level) and usually much less(100 yards).

I was thinking of a zeiss conquest 3-9x40 but perhaps a little less magnification would be alright so I could set it to 2 for close work? TBH I'm a total scope newb so suggestions are welcome!!

Ring suggestions also welcome! cheers

[Ridge_Runner_5]

I use a Vortex Crossfire 4-16x on mine, full 22" match barrel.



As for a mount, I would skip the Springfield one. It's not very well suited because of the massive gap in the rails over the chamber. Get an aluminum Sadlak mount. I have Medium height Warne rings, but I have to crane over the gun to get the proper eye relief. Might replace it with a Burris PEPR cantilever mount...

[Rustle in the Bushes]

Yeah Im getting the arms 18 mount, not the springfield. sadlak, arms, basset, all seem decent.

[SR420]

Consider a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm


My CQB-16 EBR wears the Leupold Mark 4 1.5-5x20mm
MR/T with 168gr M2 dials and an Illuminated SPR.

[Tucker 1371]

Thanks for posting this one Ridge Runner, I'll be following as I was debating on buying a 4x magnifier and combining that with my EOTech 552 on an ARMS mount for the exact same roles as you are intending your M1A to fill. I hunted last year with iron sights so I don't think I'm gonna need a lot of magnification.

[10mmAuto]

At 300 yards against I wouldn't go any higher than a 2-7 powerish scope. Honestly, a rugged fixed four would suffice. Get something with a reputation for ruggedness and clear glass, that's more important than magnification any day.

[SmokyBaer]

Here's my Scout hunter with a Leupold 2x8, ARMS18 mount with ARMS22 Lo rings.
Does a fantastic job in 200 yard hunting.




For laying down rapid fire on 2-liter coke bottles inside a hunderd, I snap on my handy EoTech 555 that's perfect for the ARMS18.

[kraigwy]

After all these years I finely found a ART scope for my M1A. Its like the one I used in Sniper school.

Only this ART's stadium lines are set for 18 inches instead of the 30 inches of the orginal ARTs.

The 18 inch stadium lines work better for the shooting I do now as the biggest steel plate I use is 18 inches. Also the size of the average deer is 18 if I should deside to hunt with my M1A.

No pictures yet, just got it the other day and can't find my mount. After Elks season I'll get it on the rifle and pistures posted.

Here is the set up from when I was in Sniper School

[SR420]

Another option is a scout scope mounted out in front of the receiver.
You would need a Springfield forward mount or the better M8 from UltiMAK.
This type of scope has long eye relief for fast, both eyes open targeting and shooting.

Mine with a 2.5x Leupold scout scope. The optics sits low and I don't need a cheek riser.
I can also switch over to a red dot... low sitting Aimpoint red dots will co witness irons.

[MJ1]

We didn't see an issued scoped M14 till around May '68. I was in Dak To and a 4th Inf. guys was loading up with up us and had the ART scoped M14. I asked him about it and was told it was issued to him at the 4th Div. sniper school on Pleiku just weeks before. didn't get to ask more as he was ranging out the side door as we took off of in the Chinook.

I used a 4X30 German for a time and settled on the old Leupold M3LR for my '81.



It's OK.

Cheers
..MJ..

[madcratebuilder]

Originally Posted by MJ1

We didn't see an issued scoped M14 till around May '68. I was in Dak To and a 4th Inf. guys was loading up with up us and had the ART scoped M14. I asked him about it and was told it was issued to him at the 4th Div. sniper school on Pleiku just weeks before. didn't get to ask more as he was ranging out the side door as we took off of in the Chinook.

I used a 4X30 German for a time and settled on the old Leupold M3LR for my '81.

May '68, Pleiku, 4th Inf, Chinook. Were you with the 243rd? "Freight Train" out of Camp Holloway?

I think I still have some of that red dust on me. In the mornings after rain the roads had mud six inches deep, by mid afternoon it had dried to red dust, like shifted flour a foot deep.



As far as a scope for the M1A I think it depends on what range you well be shooting. I've had a 4-14, a fixed 10X and now a 6.5-22. The 4-14 was great for all around shooting. The SWFA 10X was the best for range estimating, it was also the lightest and most compact. The 6.5-22 is like having young eyes again.

[MJ1]

Attached to MACV/SOG Kontum and Dak To. My boots are still red,,LOL.

[SR420]

One of my 18.0" M14s, a MK14 Mod 0 wears a Leupold Mark 4
3.5-10x40mm LR/T with 168gr M2 dials and Illuminated TMR.

[Rustle in the Bushes]

Damn some beauties in here and folks that know what theyre talkin' about.

Im feeling 2-8x will do me plenty fine. now what make/model and rings hmmmmmm....

[misterE]

I put a Leupold 3x9 vx1 on my first M1a, a loaded. For the same exact purposes you are talking about, hunting and punching paper out to 300. It has worked just fine. I read a lot on here about that you shouldn't mess around with anything cheaper than a vx2, but that is definitely not my experience. Hell, I've had a Leupold rifleman 4-12 ( their cheapest model) on a 300 win mag for 7 years now ( probably about 400 rounds) and have never had to change zero.

I just picked up a 1986 National Match M1a that came with a shepherd P3 scope on it. They are a little pricy to buy new, but the one shot zero system is pretty cool and it works as advertised. This comes in handy when switching from one ammo to the next.

Good luck!

[Willie Sutton]

Leatherwood ART-II

Nothing like the original...


Willie

.

[SR420]

My Mod 0 was originally equipped with a prototype Mark 4 MR/T 2.5-8x36mm.
The new ones are even better.