M1A scope mounts and performance etc

[deerhunter61]

I inherited a M1A a couple of years ago and have taken it to the range a couple of times to shoot it but I'm just not very good shooting open sights...getting old you see. So I saw a post a couple of days about scoping one and the mounts so I have been pondering scoping mine.

So does anyone know about scope mounts for them? How good is Springfield Armorys scope mount? I found one for $119.00 which sounds like a pretty good price.

How accurate do they shoot with a scope on them? Are they a 1000 yard rifle?

I am thinking about putting a Zeiss Conquest on it if I decide to go ahead and scope it. What kind of scope and reticle? Tactical? Hunting? I'm thinking I would definitely want the scope to have target turrents. If it shoots as good as I think it will I'd like to harvest a buck with it this coming year.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks,

 

[61chalk]

http://www.bassettmachine.com/


Go here and but the high picany rail.....its around 150.00. I used a 3rd generation mount and it was junk.....read reviews on the Bassett....took a chance....its so simple and so perfect......I would never get any other kind.
I use low scope rings and the scope rests just above the rear sights so I can also use my irons. I was very skeptical that 1 bolt with so little torgue (the weight of the rifle sets it) could hold the mount so secure....but it does it does. I'm shooting all the way out to 740 yds.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Scoping a M1A is hard to do well without having one of the high end chassis that replace the stock. Then it's an incredibly heavy rifle even if you start with a socom. The simple bolt on the side mounts require a cheek price for proper alignment to the scope.

Check out the Sadlak mounts before settling on the SA mount.
1000 yard targets is hard to answer. I don't think the side bolt on mount will do it well.

 

[Edarnold]

I inherited a M1A a couple of years ago and have taken it to the range a couple of times to shoot it but I'm just not very good shooting open sights...getting old you see. So I saw a post a couple of days about scoping one and the mounts so I have been pondering scoping mine.

So does anyone know about scope mounts for them? How good is Springfield Armorys scope mount? I found one for $119.00 which sounds like a pretty good price.

How accurate do they shoot with a scope on them? Are they a 1000 yard rifle?

I am thinking about putting a Zeiss Conquest on it if I decide to go ahead and scope it. What kind of scope and reticle? Tactical? Hunting? I'm thinking I would definitely want the scope to have target turrents. If it shoots as good as I think it will I'd like to harvest a buck with it this coming year.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks,

I've used the Springfield Armory mount on my M1A Supermatch since I got the rifle eight years ago. It's a bit of work to install, you remove the stripper clip guide and replace it with a mount for the second securing bolt. The combination of two securing bolts makes the mount very secure and it has held zero to within 1 MOA on repeated removal and reinstall. I have seen many posts about how this mount is junk, maybe I got the only good one they made; maybe people just like talking smack.

The stock will work fine with an attachable cheek piece, Fulton Armory (and maybe SA ) sell a fabric strap-on with a couple of different height pads for about $40. Once again, people that like to talk smack will tell you to dump the M1A because 'you can't mount a scope on it', so you should scrap it and buy an AR10 instead. They are entitled to express their opinion, I just prefer steel and walnut to plastic and potmetal.

For up to 600 yards an M1A will keep up just fine. At 1000 yards you are stretching the capabilities of the cartridge: 155gr Palma or 175gr GMM loads are about the only ones that will stay supersonic at that range, maybe or maybe not out of a 22" barrel.

IMHO

 

[Redlg155]

I can't vouch for the Springfield Armory mounts, but I can for the Sadlak. Here is a review I did some time ago to give you an idea of what is involved when installing a mount.

http://m14forum.com/optics/61565-sadlak-scope-mount-installation-pictures.html

As for rings, I would suggest Burrise Xtreme tactical rings. They will do the job at a fraction of the cost.

 

[madcratebuilder]

First move, read everything here about the Sadlak mount.

http://www.sadlak.com/si_improvements_to_bpt.html


The Sadlac is easy to mount and is proven extremely reliable.

I have used several different scopes, Muell TACII, Vortex http://www.sadlak.com/si_improvements_to_bpt.htmliper 6-20X50