So i bought a M14

[Rob454]

So I went and bought a chinese polytec m14. Can I shoot any 308 ammo out of it or does the M14 have the same problem as the garand 30-06? basically limited to certain ammo? What about 7.62x 51? Can i shoot that. im confused about the difference and I dont want to blow up my face ( although as my wife said it woudl be a improvement I still dont wanna try it)
What if any changes shoudl i make? I know abotu the USGI firing pin and extractor
thanx guys
Rob

[Crazed_SS]

I shoot all manner of commercial and surplus .308 and 7.62x51mm through my Springfield M1As and they're fine.

[squishyhead]

[MrPlutonium]

You should be fine with everything commercial. The only thing I heard to watch out for is that shooting handloads with slow powders might put extra wear and tear on the gas system.

[KaTooM]

I would stay away from the heavy bullets like 180 grn, they are hard on a M1A/M14. Stick with the mil surp 7.62x51 Nato ball and you will be fine.

[SimpleCountryActuary]

I would stay away from the heavy bullets like 180 grn, they are hard on a M1A/M14. Stick with the mil surp 7.62x51 Nato ball and you will be fine.

The Nato stuff can be fired no problem. It's possible that yours could be more accurate with a different load. Try the Nato and then try something a little stronger and see how they group.

It's called an experiment. And fun.

[Rob454]

Im gonna pick up a few boxes of different make ammo at the gun show this weekend and see which perform better
Thanx
Rob

[sd1023x]

I don't want no teenage queen! I just want my M14!

Also...good read. http://www.fulton-armory.com/M14SReview3.htm

[Noonanda]

your gonna love it. how much did it run you, and where are the serial numbers/importers makings , on the side of the reciever or the heel of it?

[Gator Monroe]

I don't want no teenage queen! I just want my M14!

Also...good read. http://www.fulton-armory.com/M14SReview3.htm

The Milsurp Trapdoor Cammo Plastic/Fiberglass stocks are abundant at Military Surplus shops .

[Sunwolf]

Just shoot 150`s or thereabout in it.Stay away from 180`s and the light magnum loads.

[popeye4]

The M14 gas system is not tolerant of slow burning powders typically used in commercial hunting loads. About the heaviest bullets used in the M14 are 175 grain match bullets, but it is the powder that is the concern. Slow powders provide too much pressure at the gas port (though the chamber pressures may actually be lower than with medium powders), which can damage the rifle. The M14 was designed to use IMR-4895 powder; surplus/milspec 7.62x51 should be fine (as long as it isn't Indian) but commercial ammo suitability (unless it is specifically listed as match ammo in the appropriate bullet weight range) is not easy to determine.

Go over to TFL with specific questions. Those guys know M14's better than anyone. Here's the link: http://m14tfl.com/upload/

[Rob454]

your gonna love it. how much did it run you, and where are the serial numbers/importers makings , on the side of the reciever or the heel of it?

I ended up getting it for 1 000$. Not sure if thats high or average. I wanted a springfield but I simply coulddnt justify the extra 5-800$ more.
The markings are on the side of the rifle.

[Rob454]

Im waiting for the gun show so i can get some ammo for a hopefully decent price

[vf111]

I ended up getting it for 1 000$. Not sure if thats high or average. I wanted a springfield but I simply coulddnt justify the extra 5-800$ more.
The markings are on the side of the rifle.

That's an OK price for a Poly if it didn't have USGI parts.

As an FYI, I would not shoot commercial 308 in Polys; not because of bullets or powder but rather headspacing. Polys and Norincos have notoriously large headspace with some pushing a 7.62NATO Field gage. Therefore I only shoot 7.62NATO in my stock Polys and Norincos due to the slightly thicker NATO case and slightly less powerful loading. You should keep an eye on your headspace and if it starts to get past a 7.62NATO Field gage, have a USGI bolt installed on it by someone like Warbird. Otherwise Polys and Norincos, while on the rough side, are probably a closer clone to a USGI M14 than the M1A.

You'll also want to go here and do some light reading: http://www.imageseek.com/m1a/welcome.html