Who here hunts with an M1A/M14S ??

[fragout]

I was checking out a thread just now, and it got me to thinking, so I figured I would ask.

I used to be the kinda guy who had a rifle set up for every critter that I can hunt around my neck of the woods. Bolt actions, levers, etc..... I had um all in different calibers to boot.
Once I started shooting my M14 types often, I naturally thought about using it for hunting. ( They are chambered for a decent critter getter cartridge after all......... or IMO at the very least ). Since my other guns were doing little except collecting dust, I decided to sell most of them off, and use the funds for my "new favorite".

When I'm not busy at work, I spend allot of time shooting them, and keep a detailed log on each one.

If anyone out there uses their M1A/M14S rifles to hunt with...................

1. what type of ammunition do you use? ( Hogs, deer, elk, other)
2. Glass or iron sights?
3. Do you think it weighs too much for hunting?
4. What type of magazine do you use for hunting?

It seems that allot of folks like the lightest in weight rifle a body can produce for hunting. the M1A aint exactly a lightweight compared to some of these 5lbs ultralight boom-sticks out there, but I don't mind the weight at all, and do quite a bit of walking whist on the hunt. ( Balance is more important to me overall, and this type of rifle just plain feels right in my paws.) I shoot the M14 types well in offhand positions, and prefer how the controls are laid out as well.
I also have a few 5rd flush fit mags that work just fine for hunting purposes, but also use 20rd mags when hunting them little piggies.

My old but trusted 10-22 gets the nod when I feel the urge for squirrel dumplings, or rabbit stew

Am I the only one?

Note: Pics would be great ifn's you care to share them.

11B

 

[gathert]

I've hunted with an M1 Garand before. Using ball ammo worked just fine on a deer. The iron sights were fine as well until it starts to get dark then it becomes kinda fuzzy.

 

[Scipio Africanus]

I don't, but I would.

 

[TIMC]

1. what type of ammunition do you use? ( Hogs, deer, elk, other)

I use hand loads in mine with 165 grain Sierra Game King HPBT bullets.

2. Glass or iron sights?

I use a scope mounted with a Smith Enterprises mount. Irons can be difficult to see in low light.

3. Do you think it weighs too much for hunting?

I think it is a little too heavy and bulky for a good hunting rifle but it will do the job; I have found it to be very accurate and low recoiling which makes for fast follow up shots.
I haven't hunted with mine much over the years because of this reason but I have taken a couple of hogs with it. My semi-auto rifle of choice for hunting is an AR-10.

4. What type of magazine do you use for hunting?

20 round mag but I have never fired more the 6-8 rounds at one time while hunting hogs; that's about all I have a chance to get off before a pack of hogs is gone out of sight (I hunt in heavy brush country).
My personal best has been 6 hogs out of a group of 15. This is why I prefer the lighter AR-10 because it is easier to move around while shooting at running targets.

No pics with game but here is a ic of the rifle...

 

[pikid89]

Using ball ammo worked just fine on a deer

be aware, using ball ammo on deer is illegal in some states (like my state, FL)

 

[madcratebuilder]

No reason a M1A would not make a suitable hunting rifle. Commercial loads are available. A iron sight rifle in a GI glass stock is not that heavy, with a good sling you should be able to carry all day.

This rifle with a five round mag and no bi-pod is pretty light for it's size.

 

[nortexeric]

I used a M1A Socom (16in) as a truck gun for coyotes and hog for a while. Can't remember what bullets I bought for it then, but it may have just been whatever was available at Wal-Mart in a hollow point. I limited myself to 100yrd shots due to that is what was available to practice at the range, and I really didn't feel the need to take longer shots. So no need for special/expensive ammo. Sure, you can walk around with 20 round mags, but I preferred to go with a 10rnd mag most of the time. And finally, I used iron sights, although I really wanted to slap a EOtech on it. Personally, I don't think it weighed that much, but then again I was a SAW gunner both tours overseas, so my opinion is slightly skewed. Is it a great rifle to hunt with? Absolutely. I will admit though, that I think the Scout version would have been a better rifle to choose. Also, going with a synthetic stock would be a good way to lighten it up. I owned that rifle before I ever bought a AR, and ended up selling it over some dumb idea I had at the time. I'll have to buy another soon I'm sure.

-Eric

 

[LemmyCaution]

I use a Scout/Squad with a 1.5-6x scope, illuminated No.4 reticle, 5 round flush fit CMI mag and Remington 150gr soft points.

No problems, either stalking or ambush hunting.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I use a M1A National Match to hunt hogs when they become a nuisance.

1. what type of ammunition do you use? ( Hogs, deer, elk, other)

- I have used 168 gr. Winchester Silvertip ammo. However, I've also used 168 gr. Federal Gold Match when that was all I had handy. Sometimes I'll use ball ammo. All of them did a number on the hogs.

2. Glass or iron sights?

- Iron sights. Scope mounts for the M1A put the optic too high for me and I lose the cheek weld, thus I lose form and accuracy. The mount has to sit high enough to clear the action, and while it doesn't bother a lot of people, it certainly bothers me.

3. Do you think it weighs too much for hunting?

- Depends on what type of hunting you are doing. For the way I was hunting hogs, no. Would I pack it all over the Rocky Mountains? No. Too heavy and too many pointy things to jab you as you sling it. I'd take a featherweight bolt gun for that.

4. What type of magazine do you use for hunting?

- I use the 20 round GI mags for hog control, but if I was going to actually hunt for sport I'd use the factory 5 round mag that came with it.

 

[nyc71]

I use hand loads in mine with 165 grain Sierra Game King HPBT bullets.



I use a scope mounted with a Smith Enterprises mount. Irons can be difficult to see in low light.



I think it is a little too heavy and bulky for a good hunting rifle but it will do the job; I have found it to be very accurate and low recoiling which makes for fast follow up shots.
I haven't hunted with mine much over the years because of this reason but I have taken a couple of hogs with it. My semi-auto rifle of choice for hunting is an AR-10.



20 round mag but I have never fired more the 6-8 rounds at one time while hunting hogs; that's about all I have a chance to get off before a pack of hogs is gone out of sight (I hunt in heavy brush country).
My personal best has been 6 hogs out of a group of 15. This is why I prefer the lighter AR-10 because it is easier to move around while shooting at running targets.

No pics with game but here is a ic of the rifle...

That's a beautiful looking piece.


"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"- Benjamin Franklin

 

[Acera]

I use a stripped down M1A SOCOM II, surplus ball, open sights and it does a good job on pigs.

 

[lima_w]

I use a 2-6x handgun scope on my Socom 16 and it works well for me. I specifically bought it as an all purpose rifle

 

[ATCDoktor]

I have used my Springfield Armory Scout for hogs.

Used Silver Bear 145 grain softpoints and a Bushnell Holosight.

It is extremely effective in Texas brush country, albeit a little awkward in really tight brush with the suppressor attached.

 

[saltydog452]

Stock, scope mount, glass, etc., whatever you'd care to share

TIMC, ATC,

Subject line pretty much says it all. PM, e-mail, or a call to 214 area code, I'd like to know more about the rifles pictured.

Thanks,

salty

 

[hq]

Am I the only one?

Seems like you aren't. We're currently choosing a semiauto hunting rifle for my son and he seems to prefer M1A over just about anything I've suggested.

The only serious question so far has been if it's ok for a left-handed shooter; he's quite tall at around 6'6" and while he's quite used to brass flying across his field of vision, we'll have to make sure he doesn't have to wear goggles and a helmet while hunting.

This thread has been quite interesting so far, especially from this personal point of view. Waiting for the first lefty M1A-hunter to chime in...

 

[nortexeric]

Seeing these pictures makes me regret selling mine. Oh well, I get another one here soon.

ATC - That is nice looking rifle there!

 

[desidog]

The only serious question so far has been if it's ok for a left-handed shooter; he's quite tall at around 6'6" and while he's quite used to brass flying across his field of vision, we'll have to make sure he doesn't have to wear goggles and a helmet while hunting.

This thread has been quite interesting so far, especially from this personal point of view. Waiting for the first lefty M1A-hunter to chime in...

Well, I'm a Lefty, an M1A Loaded owner, and a hunter to boot....but i'm only 6'-0"

The M1A is a lot easier to use Lefty than the AR AK or FAL platforms, IMO. Brass ejection isn't a problem; nor is reaching the controls. That being said, I do not prefer to hunt with it over my other guns in the 30cal-semi category. My Saiga 308 16" is much lighter than the Loaded; i run both with irons, and although the M1A is more accurate, when stalking around the property i've found that after some physical exertion, weight reduction is more import to making a good offhand shot than inherent accuracy or sight-radius. YMMV.

On the other hand, my 7.62x39 AR is lighter than both, and with a Leupold 3-9x33 ultralight (...still lighter) it is much easier for my eyes and arms, and therefore more accurate. I have ambi controls on there too.

Don't get me wrong, I'll take my M1A hunting, but between the weight and the NM rear sight aperature being a bit small for low-light conditions, I'll take it for a midday hunt from a stand; not an evening stalk.

Perhaps my issues would be alleviated with the stock model M1A instead of the Loaded.

 

[fragout]

Nice looking rifles ladies and gents. Thanks for sharing them here.

The 2nd rifle in the following pic is my favorite hunting rig....


I prefer the hooded HK style front sight for hunting, as it provides me with faster acquisition. A circle within a circle so to speak, and in tandem with the standard rear sight aperture.
Also use optics with this rifle off of the ARMS #18 split rail mount.


Note: Pic was taken shortly after I had finished painting up the stocks and hand guards.

hq : As a lefty myself, I can see why your son is drawn to the M1A, as the design is very southpaw friendly from my dealings with them. I haven't had any brass ejection issues with any of the M14 types I have shot over the years, and to include M14 service rifles at work. 6ft 6in tall only means that the brass simply has further to reach the ground

Keep um coming everyone.

11B

 

[MistWolf]

be aware, using ball ammo on deer is illegal in some states (like my state, FL)

If talking about FMJ, t's also inhumane and unethical

 

[Justin Holder]

If talking about FMJ, t's also inhumane and unethical

Says who?

 

[Maj Dad]

If talking about FMJ, t's also inhumane and unethical

Says who?

Humane ethicists?

Seriously, FMJs are illegal for hunting in many states for obvious reasons - they punch clean holes and impart little energy to the animal, the reason they are dictated for military use by the Hague Convention of 1899 (the British had actually used soft points & hollow points for several years prior to that). If you shoot a deer through the heart with a FMJ, it will drop dead or run a few yards & die. Hit it in a less-critical area, it likely will not, and may just run off & die after suffering unnecessarily. Lots of people used to use surplus FMJs when I was a kid in the 50's & early 60's, but there are better choices, and a humane hunter will try to lessen suffering of any animal taken. I take no satisfaction in making any animal suffer, but that's me, that's not dictated or legislated. I would hope all hunters share that approach.

Just my 2 cents, and a judgement of no one.

 

[Justin Holder]

So to shoot people they are perfectly humane, animals not so much.

I think someone got there priority's mixed up somewhere along the line.

But anyway, I personally would not choose to use them for big game hunting because there are much better choices available, but if someone wants to that is their business because in Texas they are perfectly legal for hunting.

 

[Onmilo]

I have used M1A and M1 Garand for hunting deer and black bear.
Glass on the M1A, Iron sights on the Garand.