Help me scope an M1A

[Groovski]

I am regularly shooting at 100 to 600 yards and would like to push that as far as possible (800+) and I would like a good scope for my scout M1A NM. The 4x scope on my PSL does well at 600, but some extra magnification would be welcome, especially at the farther distances.

My criteria, in rough order of importance:
Rugged
Variable magnification with relatively large field of view.
Matches well with the M1A (and won't place significant limits on the ability to shoot quickly and accurately in a variety of positions)
Highest quality up to $1000 to $1500 will allow
Parallax/focus adjustment
Good low light performance
Relatively compact, if possible
Allows use of iron sights if need be
Relatively lightweight, if possible

The following scope is what I've picked so far that seems to fit most of my needs, but I'm very open to any suggestions:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=523998

I'm fairly convinced to pony up the $$ for a Smith mount, but alternative suggestions to that are welcome as well.

 

[Jason_G]

I'm fairly convinced to pony up the $$ for a Smith mount, but alternative suggestions to that are welcome as well.

Yep, I'd go with Smith or Sadlak. No sense in spending alot of money on a high end scope just to have your mount be your limiting factor for long range accuracy.
Visit here for more info:
http://www.m14firinglineforum.com/upload/
They're a good bunch of guys, alot of them are ex military or active duty. Alot of them are Vietnam vets and know their way around the M14. You ought to get some good info there.

Jason

 

[Groovski]

No sense in spending alot of money on a high end scope just to have your mount be your limiting factor for long range accuracy.

Agreed.

You ought to get some good info there.

Thanks, I did. I read the whole list of search results on scopes that looked applicable and learned a lot. They generally like Leupold, and US Optics, it seems, but one guy liked his IOR 2-12, saying it was brighter and a bigger FOV than the Leupys. 2-12 or 3-9 seems to be a popular zoom range for the M1As.

 

[MassMark]

Yup M-14Forum is the place to go - good pick. I think Leupold's are the standard over there, but good reports have come from Burris, Super Sniper and IOR's. If I didn't have the Troy and were going to mount an optic, I think it would be hard to beat Sadlak - their fitting guide and service is top shelf, as are the company. I have heard mixed results with ARMS-18 and good things about Ron Smith's mount at SEI. Good luck!