question on loaded vs. national match

[mshootnit]

I had a question as I am new to m1a rifles: since the loaded version is closer to the military version (not having the accurized handguard) is it noticeably more rugged? Would it be folly to think you could take a national match hunting without damaging the handguard for example? Are the rifles the military is using now accurized in the same fashion as the national match? I know these are heavy questions but I am hoping that some M14 savvy individual will shed some light.
I guess what I am asking in short is whether the national match is so specialized that it would only be appropriate for targets and not for the field.

 

[rcmodel]

I'm no expert, but.

My AMU unit built National Match M-14's for use as sniper rifles during the Vietnam war.

The only downside is, they should not be removed from the glass bedded stock for through cleaning all the time.

That might be a bigger problem in the rain in Vietnam, but probably not so much for us today.

I have no idea how todays Springfield M1A compares to our National Match M-14's of 1969.

rc

 

[longdayjake]

If all you are doing is hunting, then the Loaded would be more than enough gun out to atleast 600 yards. I shoot milk jugs at 400 yards with mine using just the iron sights.

 

[mshootnit]

jake,

what are saying is the rifle is accurate enough for the money you paid? no regrets?

 

[mshootnit]

its interesting that your unit helped with that project. I have always like accurizing my own weapons. I am starting to find the M14 more interesting after I saw a cool picture of one. I have a relative with a Norinco that is surprisingly nice.

 

[longdayjake]

Okay, let me clarify. My m1a is more accurate than I am. I have developed a load for it that I can't beat with a bolt action rifle. That may be because I don't have any bolt actions in the $1600 range, but its good nonetheless.

 

[Float Pilot]

I was wondering how this thread might go..

I have a guy who wants to trade me an M1A for something but he is not sure if it is a regular M1a or a National Match.. I have not seen the rifle as it is out of state. I have only owned one Super Match and a couple regular M1As.. So I do not know what to tell him to look for,,, or look at...

Are the N.M. M1As just a regular with NM sights installed? Or what...?

 

[skidooman603]

Glass bedding is one of the biggest differences NM-Loaded

 

[sevenpt62]

I was pondering this question today actually. I was thinking about building a bolt action to shoot some long distance matches with when I remembered that I have a nm m1a in the safe. Do you think I can turn my nm into a compettive long distance gun for less than a bolt action setup? What mods / glass would you suggest? Any m1a longdistance shooters out there? Sorry if this is too off topic, mods feel free to move.

 

[Birddog1911]

I was pondering this question today actually. I was thinking about building a bolt action to shoot some long distance matches with when I remembered that I have a nm m1a in the safe. Do you think I can turn my nm into a compettive long distance gun for less than a bolt action setup? What mods / glass would you suggest? Any m1a longdistance shooters out there? Sorry if this is too off topic, mods feel free to move.

Your M1A is not going to give you the same level of accuracy as a good bolt gun, just not going to happen. Also, as far as long distance, most .308 shooters are going to start throwing 175grn bullets, at a minimum. Shooting a lot of 175+ loads out of an M1A is just not a good idea, it beats the gun up badly. Teams that have dedicated armorers and unlimited parts supply chain can afford to beat their guns up, the rest of us can't.

 

[mshootnit]

I guess the original question still stands unanswered. Bring on the M1a info!