Range Report: 4-MOA SOCOM 16 transformed into Sub-MOA rifle (Pics)

[Retro]

Pictures are posted here:

http://www.pbase.com/sdfasdfsdaf/inbox

Rifle: Springfield SOCOM 16 with SAGE International EBR stock (no pistol grip)
Scope: 3.5 - 9 x 40 mm Nikon Prostaff
Scope Mount: ARMS #18 Swan Mount
Scope Ring: Leupold quick-detach rings.
Ammo: Federal Premium Sierra MatchKing BTHP 175 grain .308 Win and Lake City Mil Surplus 7.62 x 51 168 grain
Magazine: C.M.I. USGI 10 round mag
Distance: 100 yards
Wind: 5 - 8 mph to East
Position: Bench rest, with sandbags, cold barrel, 4 to 5-rd shots without breaking cheek weld.

Results:

Federal Match ammo: Sub-MOA to 1 MOA (20 rounds averge)
Lake City Surplus ammo: 2 MOA to 2.5 MOA (40 rounds average)

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So my Springfield SOCOM 16 was purchased new last year. I improvised my own barrel break in protocol, i.e. I would fire 20 rounds, and then clean with Shooter’s Choice bore cleaner without scrubbing, followed by RemOil, etc. I did that for about 200 rounds or so, and continuing…

Initially, SOCOM 16 with original plastic stock shoots 4 MOA on match ammo, and worse on surplus ammo. I knew that a standard weight 16 inch barrel has greater intrinsic accuracy than the full-length standard weight M1A barrel because it is shorter and hence stiffer, but my SOCOM was performing consistently worse than my Std M1A which shoots 2 MOA on match ammo. Since my Std M1A was bedded in JAE100 stock, I decide to bed the SOCOM as well.

So I ordered the SAGE EBR stock without pistol grip. Why without pistol grips? Because I like the ergonomics of it, and it is the only stock that is currently in stock. Besides, given the current political atmosphere, it is probably safer to have one without the pistol grip in the future, just in case. Also EBR stock serves as a permanent bedding job, and it took me 3 hrs to install the stock but it was worth every penny.

Today, I took it to the range and fired away. Bedding definitely played a huge role in improving my accuracy. It is now capable of sub-MOA accuracy. Also the felt recoil was much less with the EBR stock, and the rifle feels extremely well-balanced now.

Retro

 

[natescout]

Retro your socom looks great, good shoot too !

 

[medicine calf]

Do you have any problems acquiring the reticle with a natural cheekweld?


BTW, based on the length, the sayajiri, and the ashi (hanging mounts for wear), the blade it the background appears to be a Tachi? If so, Tachi are properly displayed cutting edge down, tsuka to the left. Your display is proper for a Katana, which are not mounted with ashi.

 

[Retro]

Medicine calf, haha you are funny... That is my WWII Japanese gunto for non-commissioned officers. I have a shin gunto for commissioned officers mounted right above that sword, which was not showing in the picture. Yeah, I like to collect WWII stuff.

The EBR stock has an elevated molded cheek rest, and I also used the very low sitting ARMS #18 mount, and so my cheekweld was fine and reproducible.

 

[medicine calf]

LOL on me. The J-Army certainly liked to dress up their mass produced oil quenched gunto.

 

[pgeleven]

thats almost too cool to shoot, i am green with jealous rage

 

[Retro]

haha... thanks. I think the SAGE stock without the pistol grip conforms to the original M1A stock design better... besides, it is the only ones in stock nowadays.

 

[Retro]

And I forgot to mention that another factor in improving the accuracy is that I got rid of that factory scout mount clamped right onto the barrel itself.

 

[Eightball]

I was unaware that SAGE stocks even existed without the pistol grip.

Nice shooting--good to see that you were able to overcome the problem at hand.

 

[H2O MAN]

Retro, that's an awesome SOCOM and a great range report.
I invite you to join our small focus group over on M14HDW.US

A few years ago, I worked on a Kali legal SAGE EBR project with Tony @ LAW483.com
Here it is before the project began, it's pictured next to a Marstar M14 stock that Canadians can buy.

 

[Retro]

Thanks H20 Man. You know, on the SAGE EBR stock manual, it says that the EBR stock will most likely improve the MOA, but "keep in the mind that the acceptance criteria for a USGI M14 is 7 MOA at 100 yards", and I wonder if that "7 MOA mil spec acceptance proof" is done with open iron sites or with the M14 secured-down on a gun press?

In addition, I find the new EBR replacement op rod guide to be "match-grade" because the tolerance is very tight and it didn't allow too much play for the op rod, which probably also contributed toward accuracy.

And do you think that the SEI SOCOM muzzle brake system will tighten the group even more?

R

 

[H2O MAN]

"keep in the mind that the acceptance criteria for a USGI M14 is 7 MOA at 100 yards"

According to the information on page 30 of the 2nd edition of Lee Emerson's book:
"M14 rifle history and development"... every M14 had to group 5 rounds of M80 ball within 5.6" @ 100 yards.

SEI's SOCOM DC Vortex may enhance accuracy, but the brake will only enhance accurate follow up shots.