m1a / m14 for hunting?

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younganddumb

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Ok I have a few questions if I wanted to buy an m14/ m1a what would be needed to make it hunting ready for some whitetail?

Can you find one fo5 under a grand I only no that springfield makes them and there in like the 1200-1500 range so where to find one?

Does anybody else do this and pics of them would be nice

Can you mount a scope on one whitout it being in front of the action?

Sorry for all the questions just trying to see what my posibilits are b/c form wht I read they can touch a 1000 yrds and are very reliable so why not for a hunting/ range rig right? or am I so wrong its not even funny?

Try to help me and piont me in the right direction I'm young and dumb and in need of HELP!!

Thanks
 
Can you find one fo5 under a grand I only no that springfield makes them and there in like the 1200-1500 range so where to find one?

Does anybody else do this and pics of them would be nice

Can you mount a scope on one whitout it being in front of the action?

Sorry for all the questions just trying to see what my posibilits are b/c form wht I read they can touch a 1000 yrds and are very reliable so why not for a hunting/ range rig right? or am I so wrong its not even funny?


If you want an M1 Garand for less than $1000, get one from the CMP. URL follows.

http://www.odcmp.com/

Scopes were mounted on M1 in two methods, both mounting in front of the action. See URL below for details. Warning: if you buy an M1A from the CMP and put a scope on it, you deserve to be beaten for ruining a piece of history.

http://www.jouster.com/articles30m1/Variations.html

M1s are commonly used now for target/competition shooting. The effective range is 500 yds. (also, what are you hunting from 1000 yards?)

If you want to hunt, buy a hunting rifle. It'll cost less.
 
I won't be hunting from 100yrds away I would like to get one and have the ability to hunt with it

I guess I put it the wrong way sorry for the typos too
 
I have one and I have done some hunting with it. While it will do the job I don't really care for it as a hunting rifle. I do love hunting with and AR-10, much lighter weight, better design for mounting optics and easier to manage in the field. The AR-10 is my choice for a semi-auto hunting rifle.
 
From other posts, there seems to be some confusion between M1 and M1A. As far as I know, the M1 is the Garand. The M1A is a Springfield Armory trademark name for their semi-auto version of the M14. (Due to federal regs, the M14's can't be demilitarized -- once a full-auto, always a full-auto, regardless of parts swapping and who did it.)

Either will work as a hunting rifle, though there are better choices.

For the Garand (which I know you didn't ask about), there are specially modified en-bloc loaders that hold only 5 rounds. For states that permit semi-auto rifles for deer hunting, but limit the number of rounds, this is usually a solution. Scope mounting on the Garand takes a variety of forms.

A rear mounted scope must be offset, so that there is room for the en-bloc loader insertion. This requires (generally) a cheek pad to offset the head an appropriate amount to the L side. I've seen two styles of rear mounts. One is available from Fulton Armory and is described as a Griffin and Howe style (which is faithful to the WWII design, except for allowing modern 1" diameter scopes), and the other mounts in place of the rear sight. The Fulton Armory scoped version must be purchased from them - they don't install it on customer receivers. The rear sight replacement version does not require drilling and tapping the rifle, so resale value is preserved.

A forward mounted scope with long/intermediate eye relief can be mounted to a replacement rear handguard. This is a centerline mount; no offset. Generally, these can be mounted without drilling or tapping the rifle, which can ruin its value to others.

For the M1A, there might be a 5 round box magazine. I've never seen one. The scope mounts for the M1A are generally similar to the rear sight replacement versions for the Garand, except they are not offset.

As far as "touching 1000 yds", almost any modern centerfire rifle will shoot that far. Both the M14 and M1 were used in competition, because the military supported long-range competition. So, don't mistake .30-06 and .308 calibers with modern long-range benchrest competition. Those guys develop special rifles and special calibers to gain every possible advantage. The term "purpose-built" is sometimes encountered.

However, there are competitions that are limited intentionally, in the spirit of fair play and a level playing field. One of these is called a "JC Garand Match" and you have to shoot an essentially unmodified Garand with GI iron sights. Another is "F-Class T/R", and I believe either .223 or .308 caliber rifles can shoot at these matches. Scopes and bipods / front rests are OK. So, yes, you can use a M1A (civilian version of M14) as both a range rifle and a hunting rifle.

Here's some pictures of a M1A and a closeup of a scope mount -

SpringfieldM1A.gif

M1Ascopemount.gif

Here's a link to a current item on GunBroker showing bids at around $1000. The "buy now" price for this one is $1400. If you get lucky, you might get one for $1000.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=105447942

Bear in mind that you can easily spend $400 trying to repair a used gun that has troubles. If you get one from Springfield Armory, they have a warranty.
 
Of course, I realize you can hunt in other states, but for Maryland, here's a couple of things I found on the State's web site, relating to hunting with a rifle -

  • Firearms used for deer and bear hunting may not have an ammunition clip loaded with more than 8 cartridges or bullets. If a clip has the capacity to hold more than 8 rounds, the clip does not have to be physically blocked, but no more than 8 cartridges or bullets may be loaded.
  • It is only lawful to hunt with ammunition of soft point (expanding) construction. All military, full metal jacketed, incendiary or tracer bullets are prohibited.

So, if you get a Garand, the en-bloc capacity just happens to agree with Maryland's limit! If you get a M1A, don't load more than 8 in the 10 (or 20) round magazine.

While military surplus ammunition is generally cheaper than commercial hunting ammo, you'll notice that Maryland does not permit it for hunting.

I believe the M1A can handle typical (not "Light Magnum") .308 hunting ammo, but the Garand can't. You'll need to get an adjustable gas nut if you end up with a Garand and want to shoot commercial .30-06 without damaging the op-rod.
 
"...what would be needed to make it hunting ready for some whitetail?..." Work up a load using 165 grain hunting bullets. 150's would do, but the .308 loves 165 grain hunting bullets. Not reloading? Then you'll have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo your rifle shoots best.
"...Can you mount a scope on one whitout(sic) it being in front of the action?..." Yep. The base starts at about $125 for a mediocre base. Then you need rings.
"...I won't be hunting from 100yrds away..." What makes you think that? Can you hit a 9" pie plate at 100 yards, standing, every time, with the ammo you intend using for hunting? If you can't, you're not ready to hunt.
"...can touch a 1000 yrds..." Ever shot any rifle at 1,000 yards? The .308, with any bullet, isn't a 1,000 yard hunting cartridge. In any case, nobody, even experienced NRA long range target shooters, would ever think about taking a 1,000 yard shot while hunting.
"...might be a 5 round box magazine. I've never seen one...." $14.99 from CDNN.
"...scope mounts for the M1A are generally similar..." Not even close. M1 mounts are side mounts only. M1A mounts attach on the left, but the scope is over the action. Some M1A mounts are better than others too. You get what you pay for. CDNN has cheap M1A bases too.
 
I had a friend I took to my Grandmothers farm to hunt. He pulls out this M1A and slaps a 20 round mag in and says lets go. All my cousing look at him like he is insane. We all tell him there is a 5 round max limit on rifles. Meaning thats all the mag can take. He blows us off and goes to the woods. Later on we hear him shoot and yelling and screaming I got one I got one! We walk over to him he shot a large 8 pointer and as we stand there here comes the game warden(my other cousin) says great shot I saw you shoot him from across the feild. I will have your gun now and I am taking the deer here is your summons. Have a good day. He got a $1000 fine and 5 year suspention oh hunting rights and no gun back........good job!

Please make sure you are with in the limmits of the law. M1A is an excelent hunting utility IMO. just follow local rules.
 
Sorry, I wasn't trying to be confusing.

I meant the M1A rear scope mounts looked more like an offset M1 mount than, say, a scout mount. I did note that they weren't offset, like the M1.

I meant "kind of similar", not interchangeable. :)
 
"...5 year suspension on hunting 'rights' and no gun back..." Some guys just need a kick in the cojones to pay attention. How'd he get a licence? Just curious. Not that hunting is a 'right'. It's not.
 
I saw a used Poly-Tech M14 at a local shop the other day with a scope mount and a Burris 3-12x40mm already mounted. It also came with a case and a dozen or more magazines.

The price was $999.99. :) How's that for "under a grand" and "hunting ready"?
 
The first and only whitetail I ever shot was with an M1A, with cheap 3x9 scope on a B-square mount. No deader deer ever hit the ground. So, it CAN work....

It was the only sighted-in centerfire rifle I had at the time the invitiation to hunt came in.
 
I use an M1A Bush rifle for hunting deer and when I can get a permit, black bear.
Winchester 150 grain Power Soft Point ammunition works without any problems in my rifle and is an effective load.

If your state says no semi-auto rifles check to see if the M1A is legal with the gas system shut off at the spindle valve.
This makes the rifle a straight pull manually loaded rifle.

There are five shot magazines available from Springfield Inc. and Fulton Armory for states that limit the number of rounds in the magazine.

I normally use a Leupold Vari-X lll 3X9 scope on a Smith Enterprise side mount scope plate.

At ten and a half pounds with a scope and sling, my rifle is certainly no heavier than many bolt action hunting rigs being fielded.
 
Here is the rifle with five shot magazine.
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I blew the tines open on the cast flash suppressor that came on the rifle from Springfield.
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I replaced it with a Smith Enterprise Vortex flash suppressor and have since replaces that with a Smith Enterprise front sight mount/gas cylinder lock and a Smith direct connect seperate flash suppressor.
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Here is a picture of the excellent Smith Enterprise scope mounting plate.
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Sure, you can hunt with an M1A. Unless you're hunting very large game like buffalo, it's cartridge is more than adequate and it's also plenty accurate enough for anything but varminting or long range shots across bean fields or clear cuts.

The main question is why you would want to hunt with one. While it's plenty adequate, it's also far from ideal. For about 1/3 the price you can get a bolt action that's more accurate, more powerful, lighter and is better ergonomically. When you compare the two, the only thing the M1A has going for it is it's semi-auto action, and for most hunting that's not very important. 95% of the time hunting really is a one shot one kill kind of sport and for that 5% of the time when you need a second shot, waiting an extra second to cycle the bolt isn't much of a handicap.

The only kind of hunting I would seriously consider taking an M1A out for would be for hunting dangerous game in thick cover. For that I think it would be a pretty good choice, although I think I might prefer a .308 AK.
 
Why would,,,, That is a question that is easy to answer.
Because one can.
Why buy a Ford Mustang when you can buy a Toyota econobox?
Both get you to the same destination,,,,,,,,,,
The Mustang gets you there with a lot more style.:D
 
Onmilo has it right - pick his brain.

You can do the same with you full length Poly :)
 
Heh, Toyota and Mustang...the Toyota might get you there faster, style be darned.

When I was in high school, a friend of mine had a 1985 Mercury Capri 5.0, which was the Mustang with a different grill. It had the "bubble back" racing hatch and had an engine that really growled. I had another friend with a Toyota Corolla FX-16 hatch-back. I was riding in said Capri when my Corolla friend came up to us at the beginning of the Mobile River delta bridge, a 7 mile bridge through swamp called the Dolly Parton bridge because of certain enormous humps.

Anyway, they passed us, and my friend, almost to mimic "Beep Beep" about the Nash Rambler and the Caddy, could not tolerate being passed by a Corolla. He dropped it into 4 and floored it, catching up to the Corolla, which then whipped ahead. The song Hot Rod Lincoln was going through my head while my knuckles turned white grasping the door handle as he roared behind the Toyota.

Leave it be that we survived, but the Toyota Corolla FX-16 beat the 5.0.

Style sometimes ain't what its cracked up to be.

As to M1a's, I used one for hunting and it was okay and folks can certainly do that just fine. I found, though, that it was a bit too much of a compromise, weight, scope height, etc. Given that none of my hunting rifles cost me more than $300 (and because I like Mossberg 810's, you can get really great walnut and steel rifles for really cheap), I discovered is was more pleasant to keep an FAL for homeland security and Mossy's for hunting.

IF you want that to be your justification, the by all means it is a fine one.

Ash
 
Why not,

I just set my M1A up for hunting this year and it will be my primary hunting arm, Why not get more use out of a 1000 dollar rifle? Punching paper and cans is ok but a multi use weapon is great.
 
Ash Heh, Toyota and Mustang...the Toyota might get you there faster, style be darned.

When I was in high school, a friend of mine had a 1985 Mercury Capri 5.0, which was the Mustang with a different grill. It had the "bubble back" racing hatch and had an engine that really growled. I had another friend with a Toyota Corolla FX-16 hatch-back. I was riding in said Capri when my Corolla friend came up to us at the beginning of the Mobile River delta bridge, a 7 mile bridge through swamp called the Dolly Parton bridge because of certain enormous humps.

Anyway, they passed us, and my friend, almost to mimic "Beep Beep" about the Nash Rambler and the Caddy, could not tolerate being passed by a Corolla. He dropped it into 4 and floored it, catching up to the Corolla, which then whipped ahead. The song Hot Rod Lincoln was going through my head while my knuckles turned white grasping the door handle as he roared behind the Toyota.

Leave it be that we survived, but the Toyota Corolla FX-16 beat the 5.0.
Click to expand...

Great story Ash!
A buddy of mine purchased one of those 5.0 Mercs off the showroom floor.
It was quick, but my 85 Toyota Supra was much faster and out handled it - no contest.

As for using the M14 for hunting... it's the ideal general purpose rifle that does just about everything very well - go for it.
 
Well, "General Purpose" and "Ideal" rarely go with each other. There are always compromises.

A Remington 700 makes a better hunting rifle at 1/3 the price with better weight, better scope mounting, and better ergonomics.

It is not ideal for standard infantry use given its miserable performance on full auto.

As a battle rifle in semi-only, though, it is great, one of the greatest battle rifles. Yet, the M1a makes a great combat rifle that can be used for accurate scoped fire. That is about the only role it could be called ideal. As a DMR, in US work right now, it would be ideal.

In any case, like all things intended for multiple uses, it is good at many but best at none (or few).

I do want to emphasize that an M1a is a fine rifle and any justification to buy one for the US civilian is just peachy.

Ash
 
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