M1A standard new production

[lionking]

got it a year ago, I had tested it with south African surplus and ZQ ammo. I have it sighted in the black at 100 yds with ZQ. But since ZQ is no more to be had I got a bunch of Hirtenberger 1977 surplus now.

Tested three ammo types last weekend, ZQ again, Hirtenberger and Prvi Partisan. 5 shots each, all produced around 3 1/2 inch or so groupings. Impact area varied though. On a note I had tried a ten round volley of Wolf military classic which didn't perform badly and got a ten shot 4 1/4 group .

Haven't tried any match quality ammo but I have two other M1A preban with military parts and barrels and this new production one with no military parts shoots pretty much like them.

 

[Charlie98]

Nice! You should treat that rifle to a box of FGMM 168grn just to see what it will do. I shoot a lot of Prvi out of my M1a, it's reasonable and of known quality... unlike some of the surplus I've gotten over the years.

There are some simple accurizing techniques you can do to your rifle that might tighten those groups a tad... if you haven't done them already.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Yep, I got lucky and stocked up on the ZQ when it was available. It would routinely do 2.5" at 100yd with irons from my M1A Loaded. Some good Turkish FMJ if you can find it.

Hope the Turkish people throw out that bum Erdogan soon- maybe we will see ZQ again. On the other hand, they could put a whacko Islamist in charge too and things would get even worse for US/Turk relations. Its always a tossup over there......

 

[lionking]

Absolutely Charlie, info on accurizing , as far as ammo I really like the ZQ yeah too bad it is no more. Prvi, not my favorite brand for common calibers, although for some old military calibers its a godsend. I prefere Sellier & Bellot over Prvi given the choice. I should get some lake city ammo and try. Not gonna bother with the Malaysian surplus that is available right now since plenty of Austrian Hirtenberger is also available for .48 cents a round and for 40 year old ammo Hirtenberger berden primed is real good ammo in my opinion. I have a half full battle pack of 6.5 Swedish Hirtenberger ammo that I shoot sparingly in my Mausers, it is on the quality of Swiss GP11 ammo which since GP11 is hard to find now Prvi is about all there is for those Swiss rifles.

My front sight focus isn't as clear as it use to be, I attribute that some to my capabilities , although I have read in numerous places that the military standards for accuracy for M1 and M14 rifles was 4 inch groups or under

 

[lionking]

I should also note for those interested that recoil is a bit more noticeable (but not too bad) with the synthetic stock compared to a wood stock, if you are thinking of getting a M1A. However in turn the weight of the rifle is reduced also.

So far I have a no issues with the new production M1A, it has gobbled and spit out all types of ammo with no problems. I haven't shot hundreds upon hundreds of rounds through it yet though.

 

[Charlie98]

My Socom16 is 2006 vintage, came in a USGI fiberglass stock which I despise. Took it out and dropped it in USGI walnut... and the groups promptly opened up twice as big; there's no doubt the fiberglass locks up tighter than the walnut stock. So... when I'm running and gunning I put it in wood, when I'm benching it's in 'glass.

I've fired a fair amount of surplus ammos... RG, Belgian FNB, Korean PMC surplus, even some '70's Indian, along with the modern Prvi, CBC, and LC, with the exception of the Indian, which shot horrible, they have all been about the same, believe it or not. I do not see a notable improvement in accuracy with LC, vs the other new production ammo... to me it's same/same. FGMM shot better, as do my loads using good 155grn (Hornady) and 168grn (NCC or SMK) bullets, which shouldn't be a surprise.

About the only thing I've done with my M1a is shimmed the gas lock and added a Sadlak piston, I know the shimmed gas lock helped with accuracy.