M1a Socom questions

[splithoof]

What is your budget?.....If you have it to spend, and want one of the best, find a complete SEI version. I can highly recommend the Crazy Horse.

[Jayebe6.4]

My budget isn’t crazy horse territory but I’d like to bed the rifle , do a trigger job and eventually re barrel it

[subscriber]

I like the handling of the Scout, even with its flimsy plastic stock. The lower weight is a plus in my opinion (recoil is mild). Yes, accuracy would be better with a stiffer stock.

That said, if you are going to shoot a lot of shots out of a Scout, in a continuous string, then the barrel mounted scope mount may not be best. That mount puts heat into the scope and may make your shots walk.

If you were to scope the full size m1a, it would require a receiver scope mount. That mount could be used on the Scout too. You could remove the barrel scope mount, or leave it there.

I like shooting the Scout with open sights. So, not a problem for me.

Much better info here: https://m14forum.com

[therealnickb]

Can I expect better accuracy out of a scout ?

[Sailormilan2]

You can stiffen the forend of the GI fiberglass stock by epoxying s couple of arrow shafts inside. Doesn't completely cure the problem, but it does help. If I do another one, I'll epoxy a couple of pieces of 3/8 - 1/2" angle aluminum in the forend.
Personally I think that the 16" barrel is too short. I just put one together with an 18 1/2". The shorter barrels need a thinner front sight, which can be purchased from LRB Arms or Springfield.
So far, I really like my "Tanker" version.

[timbo399]

Can I expect better accuracy out of a scout ?

Yes. I have owned a Scout for over 10 years and although I have never scoped it- I am impressed with the accuracy from the iron sites. It's my favorite rifle hands down.

I've always wanted a SOCOM16 but more just to own a .308 blaster for 300 yards and in.

[smoothy8500]

So are the GI fiberglass stocks better , and more ridged ?

The GI wood stocks are more rigid in the forend than the fiberglass stocks.

Treeline parts has stocks for as low as $33 but the better choices would be the "Big Red" which are more rigid.

https://www.treelinem14.com/USGI-M14-Wood-Stocks-Military-Finish_c39.htm

[SloChicken]

First of all there is no reason a scout would be more accurate.
Typically a longer barrel will inteoduce more barrel whip.

A longer barrel will typically offer a faster muzzle velocity, and therefore have less drop per distance, but the longer barrel will not help accuracy except that it offers more forward velocity so by comparison will be less deflected by wind.

I have both an older GI wrinkle fiberglass stock for my Socom, and a wood vietnam birch era stock.
The fiberglass one is worlds stronger and stiffer, and heavier lol.

There is a difference between the older Wrinkle fiberglass stocks, and the newer ones with the printed hash,arks on the forend btw, with the wrinkle being far better and somewhat coveted.

[subscriber]

First of all there is no reason a scout would be more accurate.
Typically a longer barrel will inteoduce more barrel whip.

If shorter was better, then the SOCOM would be more accurate than the full size M1a. I don't think that is the general experience. Especially with open sights, due to the difference in sight radius. Then, the SOCOM peep sight aperture is wide enough for a humming bird to fly through

The SOCOM has very high muzzle pressure. That is another reason why it would be less accurate, despite having a stiffer barrel.

So. Quite a few reasons why the Scout might be more accurate. And certainly easier to shoot more accurately.

[9mmContagion]

The M1A is severely overpriced, considering so many are saying it’s a 100 yard rifle

[SloChicken]

[SloChicken]

If shorter was better, then the SOCOM would be more accurate than the full size M1a. I don't think that is the general experience. Especially with open sights, due to the difference in sight radius. Then, the SOCOM peep sight aperture is wide enough for a humming bird to fly through

The SOCOM has very high muzzle pressure. That is another reason why it would be less accurate, despite having a stiffer barrel.

So. Quite a few reasons why the Scout might be more accurate. And certainly easier to shoot more accurately.

[SloChicken]

[subscriber]

Not all 22" M1a rifles are the same. You have spent extra to make yours longer range capable. The basic M1a and Scout often have similar pricing.

By your logic, the Scout should be more accurate than the standard skinny 22" barrel M1a because of the latter's barrel flexibility. So that would seem like a good reason to buy one, despite the 100 FPS velocity loss. You can get that back by shooting .308 Win, rather than 7.62 x 51 ammo.

If you want portability and quickest acquisition at short range, then choose a .223. They can be lighter and can be fired faster due to lower recoil.

As for Scout owners riding the fence; that is like saying "buy a V8 or a 4 cylinder. 6 cylinder engines vehicles are for fence sitters."

That said, I would rather the Scout had a 19 or 20" barrel. I know that its "perfect balance" would change, and might even give up muzzle brake length for barrel length. I also know that its very tame recoil is due to the muzzle brake...

Rather than make proclamations about what others should buy, my advice is to try all three sizes, then choose the one that speaks to you. If you can afford to buy more than one, by all means buy one of each; or not. I am neither clearing buildings, nor shooting beyond 200 yards; so the Scout works for me.

If I had to shoot small targets at 500+ yard, I would reach for a bolt action. As it is, shooting that far requires skill in wind doping (among other things). There, the "right equipment" is not going to make up for a lack of skill. Nor is the ability to miss more rapidly.

[jarhead714]

M1A/M14s have the best sight radius in the business. Why would anybody ever shorten it, and with good or corrected vision why in God’s name do people constantly put glass on them? Sights is where M1A’s absolutely rule supreme.