M1A Range Report

[45R]

Well tonight was the first night I got a chance to take out the M1A.
I just wanted to thank all the guys who are constantly here helping out the newbies. I had one hour today and I got a chance to fire off 15 rounds. Can you believe that 15 rounds!!!! Everyone that ran into me kept asking me what kind of rifle I had and they wanted to look at it. Of the few people that were at the range. Pretty much everyone handled it and said there oooohhhs and ahhhhhhh

When I finally got to the 25 yard range I shot (2) 3 shot groups.

The first one was at 1 oclock and the second string was pretty much dead on.

The second target was set at 100 yards. I fired (3) 3 round strings. This was the result. The Black area was 5" in diameter

After measuring the group it was at 3 1/2"

I am very happy with this rifle. Any advice on tightening up this group so that all of them land in the X ring

 

[Engineer]

45R, what kind of ammo were you using? In any case, nice shooting! The M1A is definitely a conversation piece at any range, it's surprising that many still don't know what it is.

 

[45R]

Surplus Ammo: Portegese (sp?)

 

[TODD3465]

That is great shooting for 1st time out with a new rifle. I got a NM M1-A and sinply love it!
Going by the group you shot at 100yds the rifle has a great accuracy potential.
I've shot some standard M1-As and they all were capable of sub 2MOA groups.
Discount those shots that went low and to the left at about 8-o'clock as pulls and that group is in that range.
Once you get more familar with that rifle those groups will shrink in half.

 

[45R]

Question what is the difference between the National Match "Pep" compared to the USGI "pep". Does it make a huge difference in shooting?

I am looking forward to doing more shooting and cutting my groups in half.

 

[blfuller]

You can do many things to your M1A to tighten up your groups, it all depends how deep your pockets are. First thing I'd try is some Federal or Black hills 169 grain boat tail match ammo. That will give you a better idea on how accurate it is. The other things you can do are essentially match conditioning the rifle. You can do it all at once or one item at a time. Things like:
Glass bedding the stock.
Unitizing the gas cylinder with the front band.
Match trigger modification.
Match recoil spring guide.
New Kreiger or Douglas Match barrel.

The best thing to start with is probably the trigger modification. It would run about $30. Then, Practice, Practice, Practice. Happy shooting.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I find it a lot easier to shoot at non-black targets or a 6:00 hold. When you can see your sights on target, the groups magically become tighter!

I was wondering why my groups were so awful at 50 yards until I moved to a 6-o'clock hold.

 

[Dave R]

Skunk is right. (I can't just say Skunk right. That would run afoul of C.R. Sam's trademark.)

If you are _not_ using a 6:00 hold, I'll bet most of the variance in that group is due to your sight picture changing slightly. With a 6:00 hold, you can "dot the i" very consistently, and get groups about the same as you could get with a scope.

First time I tried that with my CETME I was really pleased with the difference.

 

[Moparmike]

6:00 hold? What is that? Will it work with a Mauser (havent shot it yet, cleaning it tonight. )

 

[larryw]

6:00 hold is holding the aim right at the bottom of the black target (in the 6:00 position). This way the sights have a white paper background instead of being obscured by the black. Adjust POI accordingly.

 

[enichols]

I scanned this from James R. Owens' book Sight Alignment, Trigger Control and the Big Lie:

 

[45R]

Skunky

I was using a 6'oclock hold at 100 yards. 6 shots at 25 yards to dial in the gun and that was it. For some reason the black circle looks like a pin ontop of a post at that range. Shooting with a superhigh powered scope has spoiled me. I love seeing were the shots land. Open sights is one heck of a challenge. I would say that NM front post is really thin and helps me quite a bit.

 

[Powderman]

First, congratulations! Great shooting with iron sights; shows that you know what you're doing with a rifle.

Now, the caution.

If you are going to use your rifle for targets, plinking and general fun, the 6 or sub 6 hold will do fine.

If you plan to use it for serious social purposes, then mark your current setting for later reference, and re-zero with a center hold.

As a former National Champion said (don't remember the name right now),

"when I shoot at squirrels, I don't aim UNDER them."

 

[blue86buick]

wow...he shoots squirrels with an M1A? Heh...guess he ain't planning to eat them.

(i know, i know...you didn't say what he shoots them with)

 

[Powderman]

Oh yeh--those vicious, attack, tactical recondo squirrels!

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

i use a six oclock hold on everything. even squirrells.

 

[Mannlicher]

If you want a target rifle, spend a pile, handload, and play with it a lot. If you want a battle rifle, just leave it alone. Looks like it does what it is supposed to do right now.

My M1A has been left stock. It shoots -2MOA, is totally reliable, and fun. I don't ask more than that from a battle rifle.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Oh yeh--those vicious, attack, tactical recondo squirrels!

Squirrels tremble at the silence of skunks' wallcliming Danners (and Oakleys).

Seriously tho, that's better shooting at 100 than I could hope for.

 

[45R]

Only 3 more days till I take my baby out again!!!

 

[blue86buick]

ooooh yeah, you can never get out shooting often enough (as i've found out lately) especially when it's with a fine firearm, such as your M1A (which I ain't got, but wouldn't mind one of)