M1A Build

[Horhey232]

So some of you have seen my other post thread about my PTR91KF but that build is finishing up and since then I have purchased a Springfield M1A Loaded. I am looking into turning it into a scoped semi-automatic rifle and have been looking into scope mounts. My buddy claims that there is no way to mount a scope on a M1A that will hold it's zero exactly. He claims that the mounts will slowly loosen and loose their zero. He says it may not be major but noticeable. I am curious if there is a mount out there that will prove him wrong. Besides that I plan on throwing on a Harris bipod and probably a Vortex Viper PST 4x-16x or something like that.

 

[BCP]

So some of you have seen my other post thread about my PTR91KF but that build is finishing up and since then I have purchased a Springfield M1A Loaded. I am looking into turning it into a scoped semi-automatic rifle and have been looking into scope mounts. My buddy claims that there is no way to mount a scope on a M1A that will hold it's zero exactly. He claims that the mounts will slowly loosen and loose their zero. He says it may not be major but noticeable. I am curious if there is a mount out there that will prove him wrong. Besides that I plan on throwing on a Harris bipod and probably a Vortex Viper PST 4x-16x or something like that.

They (good mounts) usually hold zero you will want to check the torque on the bolts from time to time. Sadlak are good the split rail ARMS mount is my favorite though. I have a synthetic stock on my loaded m1a that I kryloned tan with a bipod rail up front, it works fairly well but is far from perfect. It's not like putting a bipod on a free floating AR15.

Scope wise I have a leupold M3 on mine it is okay but I would rather have a nightforce 2.5-10x32. You can pick them up in the classifieds on here for a grand.

 

[Nik H]

So some of you have seen my other post thread about my PTR91KF but that build is finishing up and since then I have purchased a Springfield M1A Loaded. I am looking into turning it into a scoped semi-automatic rifle and have been looking into scope mounts. My buddy claims that there is no way to mount a scope on a M1A that will hold it's zero exactly. He claims that the mounts will slowly loosen and loose their zero. He says it may not be major but noticeable. I am curious if there is a mount out there that will prove him wrong. Besides that I plan on throwing on a Harris bipod and probably a Vortex Viper PST 4x-16x or something like that.

I hate to say it but your friend is wrong. I have an SA Super Match. I have used a variety of mounts over the years including Sadlak, CASM but my favorite is made by Smith Enterprises. It has no issues with holding its zero. Here is the link

Mounts and Rails : Smith Enterprise, Inc.

They are not cheap but they do the job.

BR,

 

[Horhey232]

I have a buddy that might sell me his Sadlak mount. I plan on painting the stock just for shiggles.

 

[lennyo3034]

They (good mounts) usually hold zero you will want to check the torque on the bolts from time to time. Sadlak are good the split rail ARMS mount is my favorite though. I have a synthetic stock on my loaded m1a that I kryloned tan with a bipod rail up front, it works fairly well but is far from perfect. It's not like putting a bipod on a free floating AR15.

Scope wise I have a leupold M3 on mine it is okay but I would rather have a nightforce 2.5-10x32. You can pick them up in the classifieds on here for a grand.

I agree with the ARMs split rail. I have one unused and I'm just holding on to it in case I decide to later.

The M25 receiver is best, but that's usually not an option for an existing rifle.

 

[Horhey232]

My buddy is selling me his Sadlak "airborne" mount for $300 that he used once. Going to see if he will go cheaper since midway usa has them for that price. Anyone have a link to the ARMS mount?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Troy battle rail I have one on mine it holds zero.

 

[Horhey232]

One of those came in at work and I might go with the VLTOR mount. Its pretty much between the Sadlak and the VLTOR now. Dang Joe Dirt that FDE looks clean.

 

[Smcarroll]

Save the 300 for the mount and get the Troy industries chassis. I am putting one on my m1a in the near future.

 

[HD-Ghost]

M1a sniper

I would try to keep the barrel free-floated, with no pressure asserted by a rail. As previously mentioned Sadlak and Smith are two of the same, the highest quality presently on the market. The ARMS #18 is less expensive and many find it also to be a good mount. Many also praise the Bassett, but I stay away from aluminum. Steel rings are also a must. There are a number of these floating around so that you don't have to pay full retail.

Included is a rifle I built for a friend using a Smith 3-pt mount, with a Leatherwood ART scope attached.

 

[Horhey232]

I can get both the VLTOR and the Sadlak for $250 so they are the same price for me and I am thinking about going with the Sadlak "airborne".

 

[HD-Ghost]

If you can get the Sadlak airborne for $250, that would be a good deal. $225 would be great.

 

[Horhey232]

It's looking like it's going to be the Sadlak airborne

 

[map_it]

I'm in the process of the assembly of a M1A for accuracy as well.

This is as far as I've gotten so far...





Currently is a 1.5" - 2" gun at 100 yards.....

I plan to add a McMillian M3A Stock a bed job and a Rear Lug to the receiver as soon as the stock gets here in about 3 months....

(Hope this helps as the gun started out as a "Springfield Loaded" as well....)

 

[HD-Ghost]

Map_it: You have some good ideas, but don't throw more money at this rifle. Sell it and start from scratch. Get a LRB receiver w/a rear lug already "machined" as part of the receiver. Buy a match barrel (Wolfe is the best for the least amount of money). Use all USGI parts and that McMillian stock and you should get .5 MOA.

 

[BCP]

MAP IT, I did the same thing with a loaded model shoots about 1.25MOA but I ended up not liking the mcmillan. It's too heavy for general use IMHO, I went back to a wood stock, added a picatinny rail for bipod and bedded it. Shoots about 90% as well but weighs a couple pounds less. You will also want to have the gas system unitized. Shimming isn't enough.

should get .5 MOA.

Uhhhhhhhhhh

I'd like to see those consistent 3" groups at 600 yards....

 

[JMGlasgow]

As far as scope mounts go. Smith, and Sadlak are good mounts. Don't overlook Bassett either. Make sure the bolt that goes into the side of the receiver is torqued properly and use blue Loc-Tite.

 

[map_it]

BCP and H-D Ghost I appreciate all of the comments and I really don't want to hijack the thread.....
I might upgrade the receiver but I do want to go with the M3A as I just loathe the big cheek piece on the butt of the rifle.
I just don't want the year in half wait and for a custom M1A build.....

Please me a PM if need be.....

To the OP I'm very happy with the SADLAK

 

[Mike_in_FL]

as I just loathe the big cheek piece on the butt of the rifle.

I'm just curious if anybody has ever used a GI or SA fiberglass stock and just added something like a Karsten adjustable cheek piece? I imagine it would go through the compartment, but does anybody really carry cleaning equipment in theirs?

OP, even though it is/was a fine battle rifle, they're money pits that often don't return much for the investment. That's my opinion bought with $2.5k in one that's MOA at best. I have the ARMS 18, and I don't think it's what's holding it back from being any more accurate. That said, doing it again I'd probably go Sadlak as not to support any more litigation by other other companies.

 

[1luckeyt/a]

I have the basset low mount. I like it. Hasn't shot loose yet. Very good product, and if i need another mount that is the one i will get again. to Map_it My loaded shot about 1.25 average in a unbedded walnut stock with zero ferrule tension. I'm running a mcm m3a now, it weighs about as much as a sage right at 4 lbs. I bedded it myself, which was quite the task. It's a much better shooter now. It is a good stock and solid enough. That being said there is a carbon fiber stock that is of the same style as the usgi stock, except way stronger and under 2 lbs. that is coming out. There is a lengthy thread about it on the m14 forum. Back to the the Bassett it comes with a wrench so you can remount it in the field and it is cut to length so it uses the weight of the rifle to get a consistent torque on the mount. Not as good as a torque wrench for gnats butt consistency but good for having to remount when you don't have a torque wrench.

 

[diverdon]

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...th-enterprises-inc-suing-over-forum-post.html

Unless I found that the information contained in this thread was incorrect I would not purchase a Smith.

 

[Horhey232]

I am pretty set on the Sadlak Airborne mount and the optic. Throwing a Harris bipod on there and now what is this I am hearing about the gas system?

 

[1luckeyt/a]

You should shim the gas cylinder. It is like $15 and can improve things a good bit. Look it up on YouTube.