M1A -- SOCOM/Scout models vs. Standard length in terms of accuracy

[Groucho_]

Are the M1A's with the longer barrels (standard models) marginally or considerably more accurate/long range than the scout and SOCOM models with the shorter barrels? What are the max effective ranges of each type?

 

[TexasRifleman]

You should not see any difference in accuracy at all, though you will lose a few hundred fps velocity which will impact drop but even then the effective range is going to be 800 meters or so. Further than I can shoot accurately that's for sure.


I prefer the shortys myself....

 

[HOLY DIVER]

What are the max effective ranges of each type?

they are both very good at any range from what i understand
but i'm sure there is someone on the forum who has shot both long range and could tell u i'm very interested to know myself dad has a standard M1A and i love shooting it!fine rifle

 

[Wes Janson]

Shooting yesterday with Federal Gold Medal 168gr BTHP, I put three rounds into the same hole at 100 yards, with the first two shots about an inch above the last three. The 18" barrel is quite capable of printing 1 MOA, with the right ammo.

 

[1200 meters]

It is suggested and with evidence that the longer barrels increase velocity of the rounds...true enough BUT each rifle will shoot the same bullets roughly the same. Good shooters , good groups. Not many reputable manufacturers build crappy shooters and stay in business. Blitz

 

[pgeleven]

whats the current lifespan of the average M1A magazine after being hail-mary'd in front of the firing line after consistent misfeeding?

 

[lencac]

I can't imagine that the shorter barrel M1A would shoot any less accurate but you would have a slightly lower muzzle velocity to adjust for. I have a national match Springfield Armory M1A that I had custom built about 15 years ago by Springfield through their custom shop. They did an excellent job. I have to date 1000's of rounds through it. I have shot gallon jugs at over 700 yrds. and I have shot sub-MOA groups with it too. Most recently at my range I hit the gong 24 out of 27 times and 14 times consecutively. The gong is the top 18 inches of and actylene tank hung by chain at 600 yrds. This is with perfectly loaded 168gr Sierra MKs. So I guess what I am saying is weather you get a scout/SOCOM, standard or even a national match M1A you are getting a firearm that will do whatever you ask of it and do it and do it to a level that few others can claim.
Here's a couple of pics.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I think Robar did an experiment one time where they took a Remington bolt gun in .300 Win Mag and cut the barrel down, inch by inch, testing accuracy. Even at a bare 16", it was just as accurate (though a 16" .300 Win Mag is probably the loudest rifle you'll ever fire, short of a light fifty).

Now, 16" of barrel *might* not be enough to stablize some match ammunition. I don't know about that, but I've heard that. Still, though, for what the SOCOM was designed for I think it'll serve you well.

The biggest hindrance to accuracy reported on the SOCOM are the larger sights, which are designed for fast, close-in shooting.

 

[TexasRifleman]

whats the current lifespan of the average M1A magazine after being hail-mary'd in front of the firing line after consistent misfeeding?

Even the cheap Taiwan type 57 magazines in the photo of my rifle above have been 100% reliable through untold rounds fired.

 

[English Bob]

lencac, that's a nice looking outfit you have there, the M1A looks great with the wooden handguard.

What's the mount you have there is it one of SA's or another brand?

 

[MassMark]

I do not have access to a long rifle range, (the club I belong to is 200-yards). However, with a great backstop built in, we were engaging targets out to 407 yards with my M1A SOCOM with a Tripower on deck on my buddies farm.

 

[GunTech]

I've owned pretty much ever model of M1A made. I was somewhat disappointed in the accuracy of my SOCOM 16, but I'm not sure it was barrel length that was the factor. It would print about 3 MOA. Adequate for short range work, but disappointing in a $1600 rifle.

My current M1A rifle is a 'loaded' converted to a scout rifle. The 18 inch barrel is noticeably more 'handy', and the standard weight means more than a pound lost compared to the original medium weight match barrel. But the price is a loss in accuracy. 2 MOA is pretty typical, with handloads turning in a somewhat respectable 1.5 MOA.

 

[lencac]

English, thanks. That is a Springfield mount, you know the one with the "thumb" screws, the one that everybody says comes loose after 7 shots .... it's that one. It obviously works fine as long as you realize that the "thumb" screws can't be tightened properly by hand or with a screw driver. Just like any other fastener it has to be stretched in order to keep it from coming loose. That requires putting leather around the thumb screw and grabbing it with some channel locks and torqueing it down to the desired point. Also there is an adjustment sleeve on the rear screw that is important to get right and the mating of the mount to the slots in the receiver must be complete. So that when it is all put together it stays put. When I got the mount I think it was the only mount available at the time. I see now there are some other very fine mount available.

 

[30Cal]

Even the cheap Taiwan type 57 magazines in the photo of my rifle above have been 100% reliable through untold rounds fired.

I've never seen a USGI or Taiwan magazine have a problem. Ever.

 

[Kingcreek]

I have a mid '80s SuperMatch with excellent accuracy. (I used to shoot high power with it.) I also have a M1A Bush rifle with 18" of tube and it shoots better than anyone would expect- 1.5 MOA and it will do it with a fairly wide variety of ammo and to the same POA- weird heh?.
Never had quality or function issues with either of them.
I don't think barrel length is much of a factor in accuracy.

 

[nbkky71]

I remember hearing that there was a guy that shot a SOCOM in the M1A match at Camp Perry last year (shot at 300 yards). Rumor was that his rifle didn't do so well.

Of course, it was pouring rain most of the day... we don't know if he was a good shooter or not... nor do we know what type of ammo he shot. So take it with a grain of salt.

 

[30Cal]

I remember hearing that there was a guy that shot a SOCOM in the M1A match at Camp Perry last year (shot at 300 yards). Rumor was that his rifle didn't do so well.

Of course, it was pouring rain most of the day... we don't know if he was a good shooter or not... nor do we know what type of ammo he shot. So take it with a grain of salt.

The rings on that target were very small (a shot out of the black was a miss) and there was 10-20mph wind most of the day. If that particular shooter didn't stink it up, he was one of a select few.

 

[AK103K]

Keep in mind with the SOCOM's that the iron sights are meant for close range shooting, and even at 100 yards, are a chore to shoot bullseye type targets with. Even a full sized silhouette is pretty much covered by the front sight.

They generally do much better with a dot or scope on them, unless you swap out the irons for the Scout/Bush models sights.

I've owned M1A's in all three lengths. I still have an older NM gun. Its a target rifle and shoots like one. I used to shoot DCM/CMP shoots with my Bush model and qualified expert with it on a few occasions without to much trouble. My SOCOM was OK. It was shorter and a little handier, and had less felt recoil than the others, but the sights limit its distance shooting to fairly close range. I liked it the best with an Aimpoint on it.