TThermal Imaging Scope for M1A Nationl Match

[JerryWagstaff]

I am interested in high tech long guns and accessories for use in rugged outdoor environments (rain, sleet, snow, hot, humid, freezing, sand and mud) for night time hog hunting in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

Specifically, I am currently looking for information related to a Springfield M1A National Match.

I have read that a thermal imaging scope must be matched to the weapon's recoil in order for them to be both reliable and durable.

Which waterproof, thermal imaging scopes are the most durable and reliable for a weapon with the recoil of an M1A?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a "best" thermal imaging scope for and M1A?

I have read that some scope mounts are subject to a harmonic vibrations induced by the weapon's recoil that can damage scopes and that some are not necessarily as reliable as others for repeated use in harsh environments.

What would be the "best" scope mount to used for mounting a thermal imaging scope on an M1A?

Would I necessarily need to get a new stock for an M1A in order to optimize it for a thermal imaging scope?

Thanks,

Jerry Wagstaff

 

[Gordon]

Best bang for the thermo buck http://www.flir.com/thermosightr-series/ , state of the art from what has gone before, these are .30 caliber recoil proof and water proof but prices start at double or triple of what your M1a costs. Use their mounts, they are combat proven, a Smith Enerprise or Sadlac pic rail works well but you need a cheek riser for your stock. As for "Match" accuracy with FLIR, you are in fantasy land . Guiding smart munitions in a window and delivering less than a few minutes of rifle accuracy are two different ball games! That said heads at a couple hundred yards and torsos way out there are possible with lots of skill and lots of bucks thrown at the problem. Think like 5 figures $ and a trained marksman. Hogs in a field is doable tho, trust me

 

[JerryWagstaff]

Thank you Gordon

Thank you Gordon,

I am currently looking into your recommendation. I don't want any match quality optics. The M1A just happens to be the rifle I have handy. I'll be shooting at 50 to 100 yards from stands or perhaps as much as 150 yards along roads on a pine tree farm in East Texas. I'll be lucky to be able to see 150 yards in the daylight. This scope looks like the right tool for the job.

Jerry

 

[Gordon]

This http://www.opticsplanet.com/flir-systems-rs24-1x-thermal-night-vision-riflescope.html would get you under $3000 and this http://www.ultimak.com/M8.htm
would go on your Nat Match m-14 and allow you to use stock with no riser. It would be a wonderful set up for less than 200 yards and rapid fire.

 

[JerryWagstaff]

Gordon,

The manufacturer, FLIR, says that the scope interfaces with the rifle using a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail. The scope also has a 3" eye relief. It is a very short scope. There are numerous MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail systems for an M1A available on the market and they do not specify where the rail will fit on the rifle or provide any other specs sufficient for me to be able to determine if I will be able to adjust the scope's position so that it will have a 3" eye relief. Most of them appear to not extend far enough to the rear of the receiver. The best that I can find is the McCann Industries M1A/M14 Solid Steel Scope Mount. Do you have any recommendations on which specific rail system will provide the proper scope positioning for the required eye relief? I can't see the tree for the forest.

Jerry

 

[JerryWagstaff]

Sorry Gordon,

I didn't see your post before I sent mine. Please disregard.

Jerry

 

[Gordon]

Well the 1x magnifacation model that is cheapest does not really have eye relief issues as it is 1x and a TV screen You have a removable hood extension that blocks the light from the screen spilling and also sharpens thins up at night.I have a 10" long rubber Russian eye tube that works with the Ultimount with the FLIR at rear most mounting. If you use a Pic rail system other than the one I presented you will have to raise the comb height by a couple inches and it will of course cover the breech if that matters to you.If I was to mount the FLIR on a reciever PIC sysytem I would use this mount and spend yet another 500$ to get the 1.5-5x model FLIR .
http://www.smithenterprise.com/products09.html

 

[EmbarkChief]

I attempted this recently with my M1A Scout/Squad and a Pulsar Digisight. The short answer is my scope is now sitting on an AR. The long answer is I spent a lot of time and money trying to get the setup to work with very little success. I used a Smith Enterprise mount (steel).

 

[Gordon]

I don't see a Smith Enterprise scout mount. You mean the standard mount would not work with that digisight ? Why pray tell.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

Its worth the extra money to go with the FLIR RS32 over the RS24:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/flir-systems-rs32-1-25-5x-thermal-night-vision-riflescope.html

You also want a scope with 60hz refresh rate for hunting, the RS32 has it.

Tim G.

 

[EmbarkChief]

That's right Gordon. I could never get the scope to sight in with the mount. At 50 yards I had to shoot for the left shoulder of a silhouette target to hit it in the bottom right corner. That's with max adjustment in the scope. 3 separate entities tried to mount it. Myself, a gunsmith, and smith enterprises.

 

[desidog]

Old thread, i know, but

This http://www.opticsplanet.com/flir-sys...iflescope.html would get you under $3000 and this http://www.ultimak.com/M8.htm
would go on your Nat Match m-14 and allow you to use stock with no riser. It would be a wonderful set up for less than 200 yards and rapid fire.

that Ultimak won't work on a National Match... barrel thickness...