Shot my new M14 today.

Had it for about two months and finally got a chance to shot it today. Ran (40) rounds of Winchester 175GR Sierral Matchking through it and it ran 100%. Really impressed with the accuracy using iron sights. Been wanting a M14 for decades. Should have got one a long time ago.

 

Cool. Glad you enjoyed it. That’s what’s all about!

 

Glad you're enjoying it.

I like mine except for slinging cases to the next county, but I was able to make a Caldwell brass catcher for my Ar15 work with it.

 

Awesome! Thats the Bula, right?

 

It is the Bula.

 

Beautiful rifle; what's that hanging off the right side, where a bolt handle would be on a bolt gun? Is that a factory scope rail? What secures it to the receiver other than the clip dovetail? What sort of glass do you have for it? I see it in the box.

 

The scope rail is on top. Only thing hanging off the right side is the lever for pulling the bolt back.

 

It does sling brass. I put down a 19 x 19 tarp and had to move it twice to find the sweet spot.

 

It’s an optical illusion. Your seeing the shadow cast by the charging rod lever. That scope mount locks into a groove and screws down. I’m not certain, but it may be proprietary to the Bula? Not sure.

 

I was looking at the photos and it is a shadow as you say making it look like something sticking out on the side. The mount is a Bula. It allows using the factory iron sights with out removing the mount. I have a scope with QD rings that I am going to set for it later.

 

Thats strange! Mine will dump them in an area less than a sq yard unless I'm moving around!

Nice looking rifle!

 

It's an Operating rod, guys. AKA an op rod. Similar to an M-1s. Nice looking gun.

 

It didn't scatter the brass all that much. Maybe a square yard. It just threw it a lot farther that I expected. Had to keep moving the tarp farther away from the gun.

 

Here's a little bit bigger picture with the shadow not so bad.

 

If you run short of 175 Match Kings the 168 MKs are very good in M-1As so it is worth trying, in my opinion. I sure like the M-1A.
When I was on an Army hi power rifle team we used M-14s with bedded wood stocks.

 

When I bought the M14 I bought a quantity of Service Grade 175 GR Winchester Sierra Matchking factory ammo so I had a source for brass and something to hold me until I could find reloading components. Haven't reloaded rifle for a long time. I did some research on M14 friendly bullets and, as you say, the Sierra 168 MK's are one of those at the top of the list. I bought a couple 100 to try as my first reloads. I have used Sierra bullets in the past and have always had good accuracy with them. First time trying the MK's except the ones I have shot in the factory ammo.

 

Beautiful rifle and wood.

 

Congratulations on a nice rifle. Robust, powerful, best iron sights in the world, reliability and class. Whats not to like?

 

I personally liked the M-14. Could hit 300 yard targets with it. M-16, not so much.

 

Very beautiful. Wood and steel.

 

Okay, I see the shadow now. Your mount must screw into the receiver above the breech; looks sleeker than the mount on mine. I've got a SA M1A Loaded, and most of the mounts I've seen have a screw and plate on the left side that mounts to the receiver there, and to the magazine clip dovetail at back, with a set screw that takes tension over the breech. Mine is a Fulton Brookfield type DMR mount. It also permits use of the iron sights to about 250 yards. I'd like to find a set of rings a little lower than what I have, but they're harder to find for a 35mm tube.

178 grain are the heaviest bullet recommended for the M14 action, and work best for longer range past about 600 yards due to the better BC over the lighter 168 grain, but the 168's work great to 800 yards or more, they just lose energy a bit faster past that. You get a 150-175 fps more muzzle velocity with the 168's.

Frogfurr, you're going to enjoy this rifle. I love the sound of the action cycling, it is very distinctive with the roller bolt. I've shot mine out to 800 yards so far (with a scope, of course) and it does really well. Here's a pic I took of my group on a 600 yard steel plate when a friend and I went to a 1000 yard range back in May. He was shooting a 7mm Magnum and I had my M1A and my AR Grendel, but I had messed up my zero on the Grendel last time I shot long range with it so I put it up pretty quick. The gong to the left is a 8"

 

Yeah, 35mm is the LEAST supported tube size. Go a 34mm and you’ll have zero problems finding lower.

 

That’s not a rifle problem. That’s a personal issue. An experienced marksman has no problem hitting 300yds & further with an AR.