Just wanted to post my results and see if you guys have seen similar.  

With my SAI loaded model in a factory walnut stock with a Nikon 4-16x scope and SAI gen 4 steel scope mount (heavy damn thing) I'm able to achieve consistent 1 MOA accuracy with Federal Gold Medal Match 168 gn. out to 300 yards. With Winchester sliver tip 168 gn. I seem to group just over 1 MOA.  With cheaper (cheap? no, just less expensive) ammo like PMC 148 gn. I'm seeing 1.5-2 MOA depending on the conditions and me any given day.  

Do your results seem to differ? No doubt I can continue to improve my skills.  I guess I always thought match grade ammo could make a difference, but cutting my groups in half?  I guess I always thought it was just the goof behind the butt that was more of the problem.

I've got more but my computer is going to auto shut down on me, I'll post them when I can.

geez 1.5 MOA for American Eagle.  I forgot about that.  Nice.


This was how it was set up that day I shot these above.  (2x7 leupy, springy gen III mount used as a single point, cheap weaver rings,i wait correction, those are leupy rings I think) The first pic in the previous post was with a 3x9 and the rear screw installed.  I took the rear screw out because I swear my zero was wandering at times and I feel like using it as a single point mount solved that problem.  I am not impressed with it at all.  I could blame the mount for not getting better groups than I have, but I figure it's also me.  I usually shoot prone off of a bag.  I did that day at 200 yards.  They're not terrible though and probably what an average guy could do with a loaded.  I loved how consistent portugese ammo is.  It's sweet.  

As far as cutting groups in half.  Ammo always makes a difference.  How much, just depends.  Handloading and tailoring handloads to the gun is really the way to go for really good accuracy.  From what I can tell.  I never made that leap myself though.  

You're doing just fine.  One moa out of a 14 is not easy.  2 moa out of PMC is perfectly acceptable, quite good in fact. A lot of stock (non-nm) 14's struggle to get 3 moa.  It's not an easy platform to accurize.  The Army National Match rigs were generally considered one moa rifles.  Anything less than that is very difficult.

2 MOA with ball ammo is much better than average.

Especially past 100 yards. Ball ammo really starts to separate from the pack once you get past 200 yards. 168 grain SMK  handloads traveling @2500 fps have been universally accurate in my M1-A's.

Lake City brass
Winchester standard large rifle primers
2.800" OAL
41.0 grains of IMR-4064
40.5 grains of IMR-4895
40.0 grains of H4895
43.0 grains of WW-748
40.5 grains of AA-2460..........  have all shot well for me. These are at or very close to maximum powder charges using Lake City or IMI 7.62x51mm brass.

Thanks guys.

I know tailored reloading is probably the key to maximizing the accuracy, I just do not have the time right now, although I would love to get into later.

Handloading and partial/neck sizing is the only way I've been able to do it. Of course that's not the "safe" way to go, but it has worked(for me)

I only have experience with 4064 and CAVIM (surplus Venezuelan) brass and Winchester standard large rife primers.  I was gifted with a lot of that brass some years ago.  41.0 grains of IMR-4064 pushing 168 grain SMKs works really well for me, also.  

all day long....

Hornady TAP 168gr, at 100y.