M1A and Hunting

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Jrsmith

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I'm looking to possibly use my new M1A for a bit of hunting. Probably whitetail (when I'm standing) and perhaps Caribou for when I move up to Alaska. I don't want to get into weight, better options, etc. When I have the money I'm going to look for a different option, but I have the funds to use what I have.

What I need to pick from all of your expertise is:

Ammo: What have you all successfully hunted with in terms of ammo for the above mentioned types of animals? I know there is the chance for slam fire, so I'd like to know who's successfully hunted with what, and what you all would suggest.

Scopes: I've got an old 3x9x40 that came with my Marlin 336 that I could toss on, but I feel since I've spent so much on my M1A, I ought to get some glass that is worthy of it. I'd like to keep the glass under $300 if possible. What do you all suggest, brands, types, etc?

Any suggestions and ideas would be great, thanks.
 
I'd definately get better glass; Super Sniper, Redfield, Burris, Leupold, etc., etc., etc.. Plenty of good scopes to choose from. The M1A is rough on scopes, so don't go cheap.

Install an adjustable gas plug so that you can shoot higher performance hunting loads; that will be a must if you're going to using them. Get a 5 round magazine (I believe required most states), and have some fun hunting with a great rifle!
 
If you haven't already bought a scope mount, do some thorough research. The one below is supposedly quite good:

http://www.bassettmachine.com/

Depending on your eyesight I would seriously consider just using the irons though.

As for a scope, I would suggest considering a fixed 4x or 6x scope, such as the Weaver K4/K6 and Leupold FXII/FX3 types. Those would be well made, clear scopes at or below $300.
 
Leupold always a good choice in optics.

Skip the adjustable gas valve for the M14 type rifle, the gas system is self regulating and as long use cartriges with bullet weights of 180 grain or less as you avoid loads with names like "Express Magnum" and "Mini Deer Grenade" you will have no issues with the gas system.

I also use Buffer Tech Buffers in my rifles and recommend them especially for rifles being used with hunting loads.
They will prevent the operating rod from smacking off the back of the receiver if a stiffer than normal load is encounterd.

I like and have been using Winchester 150 Power Soft Points in both my M1 and M14 type rifles for years with absolutely no issues or problems.
 
Onmilo, that is the first that I have heard that about the self regulating system. Have to go through my owners manual again. Of course, I reload based off of .mil specs, so more just out of interest.
 
In the M14 the gas comes into the gas piston, taks a right, flows into the gas cylinder, impacts the gas screw and forces the piston forward to impact the operating rod.
A finite amount of gas is required to perform this function and any excess is vented out the bottom of the gas piston before it can alter operating rod velocity.

The M1 has gas coming through the hole at the same rate every time to impact the solid gas piston and drive the operating rod to the rear.
The gas enters the chamber at the same rate regardless of the pressure of the round used.
High pressure loads will send gas pressure at the same rate as a lower pressure round, only the pressure involved will be increased while maintaining the same rate of flow.
The operating rod will move at a proportionately faster velocity because of the greater pressure impacting the piston without the chance to slow.

Adjustable gas plugs work because they alter the space in the gas cylinder available to accept the additional flow of gas.

There is a gas vent at the bottom of the M1 Gas cylinder as there is on the M14, problem is the operating rod has already began its movement on the M1 before additional gas pressure can vent.
In the M14 excess pressure begins to vent as soon as the seperate piston impacts the operating rod and before the piston has completed the full rearward cycle and began moving the operating rod.

I hope this makes sense and isn't too wordy,,,,
 
Thanks for all the info. All the reading that I have been doing has mostly convinced me that a better path would be to put better optics on my .30-06 and go back to heavy grains for the Caribou. Keep the iron sights on the M1A and wait to use it on white tail when I get back from my couple years in AK.

We'll see how that goes, since the M1A is all new and shiny and I want a reason to shoot it more, no real ranges where I'm going.
 
m1a in .308 is plenty for deer. i've used a semi auto 30-06, remy 7400 to be exact and the only issue is that under repeated fire the barrel overheats and throws shots all over even if it's just two or three shots, this is experience from range use and hunting whitetails. the optic depends on the terrain and personal preference. most white tails i see in the woods are within 100 yards, a realistically for a clean shot, they are within 50 yards. i just use an intermediate scope.
 
The people on the M14 sites are correct to an extent.
Don't use commercial loads that are souped up and designed for use in bolt action rifles.
These loads will have names like "Light Magnum" 'Super Power' ,"Extreme Performance, stuff like that.
Stick with standard commercial loads from the big ammo manufacturers and keep the bullet weight below 180 grains.

For years now I have used Winchester 150 grain Powerpoint Softpoints as a hunting load with absolutely no problems.
I also use Winchester and Federal Match loads in 168 grain bullet weight without problems. HTH
 
with the availability and value of the M1A, taking it to the woods seems criminal.
Click to expand...

So you buy a rifle just to hang on the wall? There are already enough people who buy a firearm and then cry of they get a scuff on it.

I'm glad to read that the OP plans to use his rifle.
 
well said CWL, there's nothing criminal about it if your state allows you to hunt with it. you have the right to and it's your choice. i hunt with my ar15 and ak.
 
Thanks for all the information. Now I'm thinking that I'll just go ahead and bring the .30-06 up to Alaska to hunt, and use the M1A for whitetail when I get back home in a few years.

Now my debate is what power of scope I want to upgrade the .30-06 up to. My old cheap (back in 1998) Bushnell has been needing replacement for years, but its never failed me yet. Just wondering if the 3x9x30 is going to be enough for 200+ yard shots with these eyes of mine.

Guess I"ll just go ahead and set some targets waaaaay out there next time I go to the farm and see how it looks.

The M1A is just so much easier to shoot, and therefore easier to get used to those long shots with.
 
Caribou are not difficult to kill, and nothing heavier than 150 grains is needed from the.308/7.62 NATO. We essentially LIVED on caribou meat in the Northwest Territories for many years, since we (my wife and I, combined) were allowed a MINIMUM of ten animals per year, and in some years twenty caribou were legal. (We never, ever, shot that many, but we COULD have done so.)

Rifles used were usually the .270 or .30-06, but a few were killed with the .308 from REAL M-14s, and a few with .243 and .338 Winchester because that's what I had in my hands at the time. My old Remington 700 '06 has killed well over 100 animals using 150-grain Nosler Partitions, and no animal ever escaped after being hit.

Your M1A will do very well. I used the M-14s with iron sights, and had no trouble killing caribou out to 300 yards. Zero at 250, and be happy. Iron-sight shooting is truly a dying art, but they are FAR more effective than most present-day shooters know or believe.

Onmilo is correct. The M1A uses a gas cut-off system, and the gas flow is blocked after the piston moves a very short distance. As stated, just stay away from the hopped-up loads.

DO buy ammo with good bullets, though...one never knows what need may arise in the North. I kept two M-14s as camp rifles for defense against grizzlies, and twenty rounds of 180 Partition loads in the rifle were a very comforting presence. (A .308 at bad-breath range has the same ballistics as a .300 maggie at about 200 yards....I was NOT worried.)
 
For years now I have used Winchester 150 grain Powerpoint Softpoints as a hunting load with absolutely no problems.
I also use Winchester and Federal Match loads in 168 grain bullet weight without problems. HTH
Click to expand...

Same here, both the M1 and M1A's run this ammo flawlessly and without any detrimental effect to the rifle.
 
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