Reasonable expectation of accuracy for modified M1A

[Armed012002]

I'm considered dropping a Springfield Armory M1A "Loaded" into a Troy Industries M14 MCS chassis.

If you don't know much about it, read about the Troy MCS here: http://troyind.com/M14chassis.html

Once I have the chassis, I'll install a Magpul stock and Magpul grip. For an optic, I'll install a Trijicon Accupoint scope with Leupold rings.

Giving the choices I'm considering, what would be a reasonable expectation of accuracy at 800 yards with this setup?

Can I expect consistent 1.5 to 2.0 MOA with no wind?

I may decide to kept my M1A stock and buy a second rifle.

 

[lipadj46]

Can I expect consistent 1.5 to 2.0 MOA with no wind?

With the assumption that you can shoot that well...

You may want to have your gas system unitized also and then yes that would be a reasonable expectation as the Troy provides a bedding for the action. SAI does not charge much to do the unitizing.

 

[H2O MAN]

Consider the SAGE EBR stock, it allows you to use the original iron sights and it can be lighter than the TROY MCS.

 

[lipadj46]

For an M1A Loaded in a long distance shooter configuration I would choose the JAE stock. The Sage is great too though.

 

[H2O MAN]

The JAE looks nice, but it's super heavy and has many parts.

 

[lipadj46]

They all are pretty heavy though and yes with the JAE you need to buy the accessories separate. Honestly I like the SEI crazyhorse in the USGI synthetic stock. Somehow Smith can squeeze out sub MOA performance with that stock.

 

[H2O MAN]

My SAGE stocked Crazy Horse MK14 SEI is a sub MOA performer

 

[Retro]

I have both JAE and SAGE, and from my experience so far, SAGE has been slightly more accurate because of the "free-floating" barrel design. I am having difficulty with the JAE barrel tensioner.

 

[lipadj46]

I have both JAE and SAGE, and from my experience so far, SAGE has been slightly more accurate because of the "free-floating" barrel design. I am having difficulty with the JAE barrel tensioner

I think the barrel tensioner can be really effective on an M14 but requires a whole lot of experimentation I would think. I did not know the Sage free floated the barrel.

 

[H2O MAN]

lipadj46
I did not know the Sage free floated the barrel.

It's not free floated like an AR can be, but it is semi free floated forward of the op rod guide block.
The SAGE EBR also has a barrel tension screw on the front of the top rail, I've not used any of mine yet.

 

[Armed012002]

I have looked at the Sage as well. If I choose to do this the Troy and Sage designs are the ones that appeal to me.

The Sage cantilever scope base and Sage stripper clip scope base look interesting.

Can the cantilever base be removed in the field or does it attach to the stripper clip dovetail like the stripper clip base does? In other words, do I need a tool to remove the cantilever base?

 

[LoneStarWings]

Well my scout squad shoots about 1 MOA so I would expect a loaded with any kind of accurizing mods to shoot 3/4 MOA or better.

Edit: Just saw you said 800 yards, so no idea really....have never had an opportunity to shoot at those kinds of distances.

 

[Armed012002]

I have yet to do any load development for the M1A, but I'm buying 1,000 rounds of reloading supplies, so I should be able to find a load my rifle likes.

I plan to shoot 1,000 rounds through my rifle before dropping it into a Sage or Troy chassis.

Wish I already knew how my rifle shoots, but can't because the thing is on backorder I don't even have it in my hands right now

Regardless, besides dropping my M1A into a Sage or Troy chassis, I'm not interested in modifying my rifle. Modifying the gas system doesn't sound appealing to me.

Is 1.5 to 2.0 MOA asking too much? 12 to 16 inch groups at 800 yards with no wind is my goal here.

 

[30Cal]

That's fairly reasonable assuming nothing unexpected is going on.

 

[Retro]

An experienced gunsmith/old timer/vetern told me that with bedded match barrel M14, the best group you can achieve is 1.0 - 1.5 MOA at 100 yards consistently with factory match ammo. And so far, my experience has proven him correct. I can get 4 round sub-MOA grouping but the 5th round will always fly off to make it a 1.2 -1.5 MOA rifle, with match ammo. With NATO surplus, you are looking at 1.7 - 2.0 MOA.

 

[H2O MAN]

TACOM RI verifies their M14 EBR will shoot at 1.5 MOA or less before the rifle
is shipped out to the troops. Out of the 3K rifles built the average MOA is .82

That's 1.5 MOA with M118LR, M80 will shoot 3.0 MOA or better.

All TACOM RI M14 EBRs use 22", chrome lined government profile USGI barrels.

 

[Armed012002]

Might just leave it as it is. I like the look of a walnut stock.

For the price of a Sage or Troy upgrade to my M1A I can buy a Remington 700 VLS.

Carbon steel and wood, or least laminate.

I'm still thinking about it. A modernized M14 does sound like a practical rifle to have.

 

[Armed012002]

I'm going to leave mine as is. Walnut and iron sights

Not knocking your '14 H2O MAN. Very nice setup you have.