Suggest mount and scope for M1A Scout Squad

[checkmyswag]

I'm looking at mounting a scope conventionally (not forward).

Intended uses are target shooting, possibly deer/hog hunting and generally using the rifle to do things my 556 carbine cannot.

I'm looking for 2-3 suggestions for a mount and scope. I'm not asking for what's "best".

I don't know much about scope mounts for this gun.

For the scope my initial thoughts were 3-10x but I can see shooting out to 500/600 yards at least on the range so I may want to go up to 4-14x. Not sure if illuminated reticles are available at this magnification level.

Budget for mount would be around $200 (I know the mount is important).

Budget for the scope would be around $500 give or take a bit.

Looking forward to your input.

 

[henschman]

On my M-14, I had an ARMS #18 mount, which is the lowest you can get, with a Burris TAC30 1-4x mounted in Leupold QRW Medium rings. You will also need to get a cheek rest -- I liked the Karsten adjustable height kydex kind because it was easy to find the exact height you need (which for me was about all the way up... I couldn't have stood to have the scope mounted any higher). With this setup, the scope just barely cleared the rear sight when it was adjusted all the way down, and was just barely far enough away from my eye to have proper eye relief... I couldn't have stood for it to be any closer. It is pretty hard to find this "sweet spot" on an M1A, and you may not be able to use every scope you want to. The above described setup worked great though... it was good for hits on man-sized targets out to 600 yards, and the BDC reticle was right on out to that distance. Good luck figuring out a setup that works for you.

 

[splithoof]

My SS has a mount made by Smith Enterprises that accepts Weaver style rings. The mount is all steel, and dovetails into the stripper-clip guide at one end, and the slotted receiver groove. It is absolutely rock-solid and has NEVER loosened in thousands of rounds cycled. The optic is a Leupold 6X fixed with duplex reticle. Rings are also Leupold QWR style with levers. 400 yard hits on 8" plates are doable if I do my part, using my own reloads.
I think your price range for a decent optic in those specs with illumination is too low.

 

[Geno]

I have an extra A.R.M.S. #18 that I just removed from my daughter's S.O.C.O.M. It held solid through 400 rounds of FMJs, and 50 or so rounds of handloaded 165 grain HPs. PM me if you're interested, or purchase a new A.R.M.S.

Others than A.R.M.S., I like the Vltor rails.

Geno

 

[CGRifleman]

Sadlak Industries makes an aluminum mount that's lightweight and pretty easy to install.