Accurized M14- What accuracy should I expect?

[Tomspanks]

Hey folks- just finishing work on a norinco I bought. Wanted to know what I should reasonably expect for accuracy after all this (fun) work. Mainly so I know whether the barreled action is anygood and if I should sell/try a new one.

- Norinco barreled action

- bedded USGI stock, handguard trimmed for clearance

- Unitized gas system USGI

- op rod/spring guide sadlak

- professional trigger job

- dlask adjustable gas lock (probably tightens the gas system up a bit)
https://www.dlaskarms.com/index.php?...a&filter_id=45


gonna scope it as well.

 

[Pat M]

make sure to use good match grade ammo, solid follow through

? maybe a good solid 1 1/2 moa

 

[Shooter45]

Fulton Armory will rebuild Norinco's and it is cheaper to accuracy a factory M1A instead. I'm out working but I have numerous books on M1As and I don't remember the strong points about Norinco, there are a few. Much of their components are made from much weaker medals so it's good you've replaced the bolt and gas assembly even better that you've unitized it. I believe the action is strong on those but I could be wrong. No idea on what to expect from the barrel but it might not be much. I have a GI match barrel in one of mine that has over 10k rounds and it still shoots just shy of 1moa at 100yds and shows minimals signs of wear with a throat erosion gauge.

Ensure when you scope it that you use a strong mount from Sadlak or Smith Enterprise. They are the only two with a strong reputation for having secure mounts for M1A's specifically. M14forum.com has excellent information as well. I'm not sure what to expect from a Norinco even with the work you've done. The barrel might the only weak spot considering you've improved/replaced everything else.
M14 Forum - M14 Forum for M14 M1A Rifles

 

[bluto51]

Depends on how well you shoot the M14/M1A platform. How long have you had it? How much have you shot it?
What power scope/brand are you using? How do you define accuracy? Best single group you've shot with it?
Occasional killer group? Average of two consecutive groups? Five? Ten? At 100 yards?

Average for five consecutive 5-shot groups, with match ammo, using a good scope over 6X,
probably in the 1.5" - 2.5" range with occasional groups under that.

 

[a1-equipment]

I would put a smith mount on it and see what happens. The norincos I have seen shoot are either 1.5"-2" group or a 4" group so you got a 50/50 chance. I would just
Rebarrel the norinco action(due to cost of a new m1a action) unless you are trying for
A super match or whitefeather level gun then you need to get double lug receiver.

 

[08Cayenne]

Sounds like you have a real good start, what barrel is on the action?

Lugs don't improve accuracy, lugs help preserve the bedding.

 

[kvwpwr]

I think a lot will depend on the barrel and ammo you're using.

 

[Tomspanks]

norinco barreled action. I aint rebarreling it already spent too much. ill see how it shoots and if it isnt around 1.5-2moa Ill sell the norinco and get another. they go for $420 up here in Canada and Ill be able to get my money back for sure.


KVPW you're right ammo dependant for sure- Just looking for some realistic standard I can set to see if the barrels any good.

 

[K-tech]

I bedded my springfield armory standard and I get between 1"-1.5" groups. I would say yours would probably do about the same. Im no expert but from what I observe it seems you have to drop some serious $$ to get the m1a platform to shoot sub moa groups.

 

[Tomspanks]

thanks k-tech thats especially valuable data 1.5" sounds about reasonable to expect then.

Yeah I dont really even think of the m14 like that- sub moa doesnt mean much to me. 100-600 yards functionally accurate is good nuff to take advantage of that 7.62 cartridge

 

[Frank Green]

Other things to do and check. Ream the flash hider. If the flash hider doesn't have enough clearance the bullet can hit it on the way out and or you don't get an even release of the gases when the bullet leaves the barrel.

Also when you take it out and shoot it (assuming the action/stock has been properly gas bedded). If the groups seem to string vertically turn the gas system off and then shoot it like a bolt rifle. Load a round into the mag and just pull the bolt back and let it chamber the round under it's own power. Shoot it. The action will not cycle. Pull the op rod back and let it fly forward again. By shooting the rifle manually if the gun groups good this is a tell tale sign there are problems with the gas piston. You can change the gas piston even one that measures exactly the same and it will change the timing of how the rifle cycles. What can happen from a dirty or a bad gas piston is it will start the action to cycle before the bullet has left the barrel.

You say you unitized the gas system. Did you put a little grease under the plate where it rubs on the stock? If not put a little there or this will cause accuracy problems.

Check your figure 8 gas cylinder nut. It should time to about 5:00 o'clock position. You should be able to pinch it with your fingers to the 6 o'clock position and then put in your gas plug. If the nut times way earlier then this when you tighten the nut it will bow/bend the barrel upwards and can cause problems as well.

Clean your gas piston say ever few hundred rounds. You can get the proper drill bits on handles for doing this. These will scrape the carbon build up out of the plug and piston. If the carbon gets built up to much again it can throw the gas port timing off and again cause cycling issues/accuracy issues.

Mark your gas cylinder plug and gas cylinder when it's assembled with like paint mark. This way when you take the cylinder apart for cleaning you tighten the plug to the same position all the time. A little solvent or oil on the threads and you can easily tighten it to a different position. This can change your zero.

Just more food for thought for you.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[Frank Green]

Also check your castle nut on your flash hider. Common problem is this can be tightened to tight. When this happens you will crush/change the bore sizes right at the muzzle. This is accuracy killer as well. Just tighten the nut enough so the flash hider isn't loose. Even if the set screw doesn't fall into one of the castle nuts notches. Use some Loctite on the castle nut threads. This will prevent the nut/flash hider from loosening up and causing accuracy problems.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[BGE541]

Our M14SSR'd were good for 1 MOA on a great day with M118LR. Honestly its prob a 1-1/2MOA set up.

 

[Tack425]

I had a SA Scout and did a lot of research on gaining the best accuracy for that rifle. I took the approach that I wasn't going to spend 1k on a rifle that I got for $1700 to begin with BNIB, to get it down to 1.5" groups. That quickly went out the window as I chased accuracy. I started with a NM trigger job from Sadlak. Next was the Bassett LOW scope mount, Vortex precision LOW rings, Vortex PST 4-16x50. Then unitized gas system by SEI, as well as a SOCOM gas plug, TI piston, SEI GLFS, gas system shims, shock buff, and SEI Op Rod. I also threw away the synthetic stock and went with oversized walnut stock and bedded the action.

Add all that up and Im right there at the 1k mark, with sales, shipping, taxes where applicable and time. It was a great project and I learned a lot. I love that rifle and ultimately the groups would hover around 1.5" and better when I did my part behind the trigger. Of course there are tons of different options, JAE, SAGE EBR, Macmillan stocks to help to shrink your groups, but those add weight to an already heavy rifle platform. The 1 thing about those stocks is the cheek weld set up is repeatable and consistent for your rifle when you scope it as you stated in your 1st post.

As FrankGreen said the GLFS and piston need to be in the same place to reduce as many variables as possible. I know I am on a rant, but take your time in researching the options for the platform and use the experience of the guys that have shot these guns for many many years as your guide. I learned a lot on The Firing Line forum. I also made a couple calls to the man himself Ron Smith and he helped me tremendously. PM me if you have some questions or if I was unclear on something.

I ended up selling the Scout because I just couldn't shoot it after 50 rounds. I know I know, but after 4 total shoulder reconstructions and 16 screws in there the recoil impulse had me flinching before I pulled the trigger. So I sold it to someone who loves the rifle, but still get conjugal visits with her

 

[bluto51]

OP, how about a range report?