SA M1A1 Loaded or Scout?

you can get the foward scope mount for any of the models, i called and asked sa myself.

i prefer the scout smaller, and better for close in work, but still enough barrel there to make the velocities that you need at distant targets. You have to think what the purpose of the gun is gonna be. for my needs the scout would be a better choice.

Possum is right, which rifle you get depends on what you will use it for. I got a standard loaded, and I really enjoy plinking steel at 500m with it. With the excellent sights and long sight radius, I really don't see the need for optics. I also want to take it on a late season cow elk hunt latter this year or early next year.

While I like my 22" barrel, the guys with the 18" guns seem to do just fine at exended ranges. Is it possible for you to put in some range time with both? Shooting is the best way to answer questions like this.

Get the scout!

Unless you plan to spend most of your trigger time reaching beyond 700 yards, the 18.0" Scout is ideal.

Scout sucks! Get the loaded. Shot both liked both, but the scout offers nothing better. You said you didn't have money for a scope any way so why not get the loaded and save up for a nice mount and scope. I always thought that I wouldn't shoot my Loaded past 400 yards but the occasion has presented itself many times. I am greatful I went with the loaded over the socom or scout. If you do some research you will find that the loaded can cycle a larger variety of bullet grains than the scout. That in itself is a big + to me.

I had to make the same decision. I went with the loaded because I do not have any other full sized rifle and I like the upgraded barrel, sights and trigger. I've heard others report that you really do not lose all that much velocity or range with the scout though. I have a scope on mine and the mounts are expensive (the steel ones, SAI mount is not so good) and SAI can have issues with receiver geometry that would cause the scope mount not to fit or for it to be canted. The scout mount is cool but you are really limited to pistol or reflex scopes and they do not co-witness with the sites (well I saw one guy got a trijicon tripower to co-witness). Either one are great rifles though you won't be disappointed either way.

FWIW, I don't quite see what everyone else does in the Scout. They seem unbalanced to me, too butt-heavy. The little bit that is lost off the barrel doesn't really make it that much handier either to me. The Loaded is not quite as well balanced as the Standard, being a little front heavy, but it balances better than the Scout does, at least for me. Atop that, you get a few better components as well.

Just my $.02

Jason

have a standard and a scout, i like my scout better , the scout just feel better to me, but thats just me

Not to knock the Scout in the least, but I also fail to see the attraction. When I decided that I needed an M1A, the local store I ordered mine through had a used Scout in stock. I checked it out pretty well and decided to go ahead and order the Loaded. After my Loaded arrived I was confident that I had made the right decision, and even moreso after a couple of range sessions.
They're both great rifles, so best of luck in whatever you choose.

I think you made the right choice. I don't own either, but have spent the last three months deciding what M1A to buy.

My concerns where the very variable accuracy results of the scout from owners and industry reviewers. It is pretty apprent that to get the scout to 1.5 MOA you need to invest immediately in bedding, lapping, etc. Granted, it can be done for a few hundred, but it takes work and effort that, in my opinion, should be built into a new SA weapon. Here's a reference:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/affordable_accuracy.htm

I have two built M14s with 22.0" barrels, but I'm not sure why because my M14s built with 18.0" barrels are fully capable.
My bone stock Scout shot 2 MOA out of the box (when it worked) and a little trigger work with a unitized gas system improved it.
The short barreled actions are so good - I don't even shoot the long barreled actions.

All, thanks for the range (no pun intended) of responses and information. It sounds like they are both very nice rifles, and I am now leaning toward the Loaded Standard. Thanks.

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Good choice. Probably the best bang for the buck from SA. All things being equal the longer barrel well out shoot the short barrel.