M14

[44Caliber]

If cash were not an issue (up to $3000) and I wished to purchase an M14 308 caliber style battle rifle what manufacturer and model would you recommend?

I have heard much about Springfield Armory, Fulton Armory, Armscorp versions.

I would appreciate any advise, recommendations

44Caliber

 

[30Cal]

What are you going to use it for? I'd get one built up in a match configuration by one of the many good armorers out there. My local M14 guy won't work on some makes, but the ones you listed are OK. FWIW, Armscorp makes Fulton's receivers. A standard barrel will shoot really well if the rest of the rifle is bedded, etc--that's a good option since it doesn't add weight like match barrels do.

Ty

 

[SnakeEater]

LRB reciever, Kreiger bbl, USGI parts assembled by one of the top M14 smiths.

 

[Medusa]

Springfield M21 Tactical, it is a bit over 3000, but still. Go big or go home, eh?

 

[Dienekes]

Depends on what you have in mind. Nothing wrong with an SA standard; live with it and learn to use it, upgrade it as your ability warrants. Glass bedded and did the NM mods on mine after a couple of years, and recently got a Smith Ent. NSN side mount for eventualities. Most of the money spent towards that rifle has been for bullets and powder. The next big expense will probably be a new barrel when I manage to wear out the original one.

 

[S&W44]

I found a good used Springfield Armory M1A to start with.

 

[Onmilo]

If the LRB receivers are still available I would highly recommend one as a starting point.
I have used two to build rifles for customers and the overall quality was excellent.

$3000.00 will allow you to choose any top name builder to do the work.

For a National brand name builder Fulton Armory would be a good place to begin your contacts.

 

[molonlabe]

http://www.lrbarms.com/pages/1/index.htm

 

[BozemanMT]

Fulton Armory
http://www.fulton-armory.com/MARifles.htm#FA-FFL-M14Service-Rifle
It's on my list.
My Springfield (ok, wife's springfield) is nice, but put it next to a Fulton and it just pales.

 

[bgold]

An LRB with all GI parts, built by one of several top-notch M14 builders.

The LRB receiver is about as close to GI as possible, since it is forged and not cast.

 

[ken grant]

LRB

No LRB's---tried to buy a complete rifle and was told at least a six month wait. They have no receivers

 

[Sven]

6 month wait for an LRB might be worth it. Your call.

 

[Telperion]

Check with some of the smiths who build M14s. It's possible some could have a small stock of LRB receivers or completed rifles they'd sell.

 

[cvb]

go for it

btw, whats wrong with a standard M1a+mags/accs and $1,600 worth of ammo/range fees. id rather have a dirty used dinged up POS than a forged
safequeen. I of course am kidding myself.

 

[Zundfolge]

Cash no object I'd have the Fulton Mark 14.

 

[ghost squire]

Lets take a step back and look at the whole situation. That frankenrifle is so much better then a walnut stocked M14 why? It seems unwieldy and fugly.

 

[Quintin Likely]

If cost were not an issue, buy quality parts and get one built by a good M14 plumber and forget the off the shelf stuff. That's what I'm gonna do one of these days.

 

[BruceB]

Last September I bought a new M1A "loaded" rifle, serial # 170,xxx. After all the stories I'd read about "declining quality" at Springfield, I was prepared to treat the rifle as a project, more than as a finished work.

The rifle has now fired over 1000 rounds of wildly-varied handloaded ammunition, NO factory loads, and I should hasten to tell y'all that I am a cast-bullet devotee of the worst sort. The first few hundred rounds were handloaded full-power Sierra 168 Matchkings in LC 88 brass, and the rifle worked perfectly right from the first round. After about 500 rounds of Matchkings to break it in a bit, I started some serious work with cast bullets.

Just today, I put 170 rounds through it, using three different cast-bullet designs and two powders in stair-stepped charges. Again, the rifle functioned perfectly with ammo down as slow as 1600 fps, and the best group, fired from rest with iron sights at fifty yards, was TEN rounds in 0.80".

I dunno about you fellers, but I have to really believe that I have a RIFLE, not a "project", and I could not be happier.

 

[ATAShooter]

44, I bought a brand new Springfield M1A standard with walnut and couldn't be happier. 2500 rounds so far and not 1 malfunction. It costed 1300.00 and I feel it was money well spent and have left over $$$ ( I had planned initially to layout 2500.00 ) for ammo, magazines and goodies. The only complaint I had is that I think Springfield should included a butt stock cleaning kit & tool. ( costed 24.00 to get it from them). It should have came with it.