16" & 18" Barreled M1A
Springfield Armory M1A Scout Squad Rifle 18"
Sprongfield Armory M1A Socom II 16"
M1A96819 Sage USMC M39 EMR Heavy Medium Weight 18"
Range Report
Let’s get this straight, if you want to shoot long range, don’t use a short barrel. Maybe it should be: don’t buy a Scout rifle in the first place. My preference in a short barreled M1A would be the Bush rifle. It has all the attributes of the standard M1A and the handiness of the short barrel. But, I wouldn’t choose it to shoot over 400 yards. I’ve never been fond of the Scout scope mount in spite of what Col. Cooper thought was cool. I don’t think the M1A lends itself well to the concept of Cooper’s ideal. Don’t get me wrong. I have great respect for Col. Cooper, just less for the SA Scout. I do like it somewhat better than the SOCOM though.
I see a lot of questions about what kind of accuracy one can expect from a short barreled M14 rifle. I’d suggest that one shouldn’t expect a lot. It is possible to build a very accurate short barreled M14 as long as it is built to match grade specs and a heavier barrel is used. Heavy barrels (medium weight too) are much stiffer than standard weight barrels. That is probably the most significant reason they shoot so well. In theory, a stiff short barrel should shoot with great accuracy at any range. Shorter heavy barrels are even stiffer than long heavy barrels. Accuracy testing barrels are usually quite short. However there is a problem with velocity and stability at longer ranges and that effects accuracy. I guess my point is that if you want long range accuracy, use a medium or heavy weight 22 inch barrel on your M14.
The twist rate isn’t all that important. A 10 twist or a 12 twist will keep most bullets stable out to 1000 yards. The faster 10 twist is better especially with heavier bullets, but I have shot some good scores at 1000 yards shooting 180 grain bullets in a 12 twist. Once again however, don’t bother trying to shoot 168 grain bullets that far. They just don’t stay stable. They might given enough speed, but it isn’t worth the effort since speed doesn’t equate to accuracy.
I’ve always been partial to standard style stocks on my M14s. They are comfortable to handle and fairly ergonomic. I use McMillan fiberglass stocks on many of my rifles, but I really like the feel of wood. Fat over sized match stocks have their place, usually on a match rifle. Fat stocks help keep everything under control in matches. They are not all that comfortable to tote in the woods, but suit their purpose on the range.
Tactical stocks also have their purpose. Most are not all that comfortable to handle, but lend themselves to the special circumstances of the tactical environment. They also have all those places to attach the whistles and bells. I’m not into whistles and bells. Standard stocks work just fine for me. I’m not going to be breaking down any doors and never felt the need for a “go to gun”. Sometimes I think I could just get by with a good .22, but I enjoy the M14 too much for that. Still, I do own some good .22s. I would feel very comfortable with an as issued M14 type rifle in most any circumstance. If I felt the need for something short and light, my tendency would be to use a M1 Carbine or a M1A1. Food for thought.
Oh, I do find the VLTOR stock to be a comfortable tactical style. One of the things I like about it is it doesn’t weigh a ton. Somehow the prospect of toting a 15 or 16 pound tactical rifle doesn’t get it. Even my heavy barreled McMillan stocked match rifle only weighs 13 pounds and that’s loaded.
I may add some more to this post, but I was running out of time.
By Ted Brown
Shooters Den
The Springfield 16.25" barrel has proven itself effective beyond 600 yards. The new 4 groove, 1:10 ROT M118LR 16.25" SEI may reach further. The 18.0" medium heavy SEI MK14 barrel has proven itself effective beyond 800 yards and 22" barrels have proven to be effective beyond 1000 yards.
Twist rate is extremely important if you use a sound suppressor and the suppressor acts as a barrel extension that can increase accuracy and range.
H2O MAN
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Stocks:
I find the SAGE EBR chassis system to be the very best value available because it offers tension bedding that does not wear out, it semi free floats the barrel beyond the op rod guide block and the ergonomics are improved. McMillan, VLTOR and other stocks require the added expense of glass bedding to deliver repeatable accuracy. This bedding will need to be repaired or replaced at some point.
Weight: The SAGE EBR can be rather light (M14ALCS/CV), lighter than most people think. My Crazy Horse M21A5 EBR weighs about 14 lbs. with bipod, scope, rings and scope mount.
H2O MAN
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