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Old December 13, 2005, 02:37 PM   #1
Gene Johnson
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M14/M1A accuracy and performance

Based on actual competitive range performance and tests . . . What can be realistically expected of an accurized M14/M1A?

Yes, using tweaked loads and that rare guy that can actually outshoot the rifle (machine rest).

For instance: "If you have the money, they can be made to shoot 0.375 MOA without a problem. But you should realistically expect 0.50 MOA."

Please guys - no "Blue Sky"
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Old December 13, 2005, 03:43 PM   #2
azredhawk44
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Personal anecdote (that and $5 gets you a cup of coffee):

I have an M1a 18" scout on a polymer stock.

With the stock iron sights and a target at 100 yards, I keep them within a 3" diameter.

The front sight post just covers too much of my target and it blurrs behind it, but I have bad vision. I don't wear glasses, but stuff just gets a bit blurry out past 75 yards or so. I am saving right now for a good scope for this rifle. I have the ARMS mount for it.

The order of upgrades to fully accurize this rifle for me are:

Install ARMS mount for scope.
Install scope (probably Shepherd, but not 100% sure yet).
Replace stock with laminate stock (didn't like the standard wood stock).

After all that, I expect sub-MOA from it. With me shooting from a bench, I expect to keep them around .75" groups.
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Old December 13, 2005, 08:39 PM   #3
hIPSHOT33
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Based on 16 years of competitive shooting ,with the Army Marksmanship Unit ,I would say that if you can hold a MOA across the NMC ,That you and the gun are doing the best that can be expected . I know there are guns that can shoot 1/4 MOA but there are dame few people that can hold it .
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Old December 14, 2005, 07:21 AM   #4
DSS
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They can be built to hold less than half minute of angle. That part isn't hard. Like you already figured it's more in the operator than the rifle.

I built my rifle to hunt long range with and it will put my hunting loads into a prairie dog easily to over 600 yards. I use a XLC coated 168 grain Barnes bullet for most hunting.

If proper maintenance procedures aren't performed on the rifle it won't hit a cow at that range though. All of the rifles I build for performance come with instructions on how to maintain it for that reason.

The M14/M1A is a fine platform for long range tack driving if it's done right.
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Old December 14, 2005, 07:45 AM   #5
Tim R
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Having shot military built competition M-14's with 1 which seemed to shoot radar guided bullets, I believe if you want a 1/2 MOA rifle you would be better off using a bolt gun. A really good M-14/M-1A might shoot 1 MOA which is plenty good enough for High Power.
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Old December 17, 2005, 10:25 PM   #6
impact
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I have a M1A loaded and with peep sights 1 inch at 100 yards is about the best I can do. That is with match ammo! There is a guy on this board named Peter! He has a Super National Match. With a 20 round mag he can rip a one inch hole in a target at 100 yards. His gun is scoped! I was there and saw him do it. He has one fine gun.

Sure bolt guns will shoot better but not by much. I need to scope out my M1A loaded to see if I can get some really small groups. For three gun a M1A will shoot plenty good enough when it comes to accuracy. My first gun I used in a three gun was a mini 14. The gun worked just fine!

When I shot my M1A I shot 5 round groups!
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Old December 18, 2005, 08:52 AM   #7
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Just make sure you get the mount made by sadlak either from us or one of the other suppliers. They have the best service of any of the mount makers. They now come with the fit measurement kit so just in case you have one of the springfields that are out of spec all you have to do is mail it to Mike or myself and get it fitted without sending in your rifle. It doesn't get any better than that.

Also right now is the time to buy the titanium mounts. SInce the steel mounts are out of stock everywhere and Sadlak is working on more we dropped the price on the titaniums quite a bit.

Just don't get suckered in by one of the cheap mounts that will shoot loose very quickly is all.
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Old December 24, 2005, 05:45 PM   #8
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You might get one that will do it. Plan on spending lots of money to get it that way. Will it stay that way without staying on top of the up keep? NO!
Can you still expect decent MOA for the life of the barrel? Yes

I look at the phrase to out shoot your rifle as to mean that your skill has developed to a point the rifle is holding you back from improving. If your rifle is only capible of holding like 2" and you can hold 1 1/2" you need something better. It could be anything that makes the rifle shoot more acurately from improvements to the rifle to getting better ammo.
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