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Posted: 7/7/2006 8:11:47 PM EDT
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Hello, just visiting from the AK side. I have been drawn to the whole 308 thing you guys have over and over and its about time I did something about it. Now, Is the Shorter bbl on the SOCOM handicaping the long distance (600m) capability of these great guns?. Id like to believe the SOCOM can get a 8 to 10 inch group out to those distances like its bigger, longer barreled brothers. But within a reasonable happy medium (small sacrifice in accruacy) due to shorter bbl? Someone please convince me that shootin a short barreled M1A is not retarded, so I can go buy one. I really appreciate anyones help, as this can be seen as a dumb question I suppose. David. |
Mil doesn't use SOCOMS, IIRC, and that means something. Yes, you will lose range with a shorter bbl. No, your iron sights can no longer be properly calibrated. Yes, you will have a highly visible muzzle flash unless extreme measures are taken. An M1A Scout version is about the shortest bbl that is really useful. Good luck trying to find one cheap. Again, that says something. |
| Fwiw, it might be a little unrealistic to get 600m accurate fire out of the short barrel. However, the rifle surprises me. Previously I had a "Loaded M1A" and it hasn't taken me long to get back to where I was with that rifle. 200m is no problem and by summers end I hope to be confident at 300. Definately a practical rifle, imo. Probably more a matter of understanding what "practical" means to you. |
| The SOCOM is not designed to be a 600 yd rifle - however that said it is more of a capable 600 yd. rifle than the AK is a capable 300 yard rifle. If you already have an AK then your CQB rifle needs are somewhat filled and you should be looking at a standard of loaded M1A model rifle as the starting M1A point in my opinion. |
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I don't have one, but I've shot them. And this is what I can tell you. It would probably be accurate enough for man sized hits at 600 yards, given you put an optic on there. It would be probably asking too much of the irons it comes with. It has a very wide aperture and a very large front post with the tritium. Mind you, I think it is an excellent iron sight. I don't know how far out it's good for but I was hitting what I wanted to at 100 yards, off hand with a guy that let my shoot his. Maybe 200, mayber 300. I don't know, but 600? You need something else. Or like I said, an optic. I can also attest to a very large fireball. I'm not sure what kind of ammo the guy that was there was using, but on an overcast day, the fireball was plain as day, huge and fun to watch. His was actually a socom. Not the socom II. It is a very, very handy carbine. I would use it for Self defense and hunting, but long range shooting would probably be disappointing. Although admittedly, I haven't tried it. The fireball is kind of a detractor too for self defense. I'd say it's best use would be like a ranch rifle. I don't know. I personally like a standard better for all things. I'm starting to be like RAF. But I say, to each his own. I would carefully weigh my options before buying though. edited to add: I think the socomII is way too front heavy. |
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Here is my worthless opinion: The M1A shines in its stock M-14 clone configuration. If you want something more compact I like the DSA SA58 FAL carbine. Next best thing to when they release their SCAR-H. I have a SOCOM and it is really fun to shoot and very accurate and easy to make COM hits w/ irons out to, say, 150 yards. It's too hard to use that wide front sight past 200. The idea of "CQB" with a .308 is a little scary. |
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In my opinion I think the SOCOM is an effort on SA's part to tap into the AR15 community. Added the rail HG and and you have a hanging spot for lights, lasers. wheelie bars and what not. If you already had experience with say a full size or Bush/Scout rifle and wanted a fun guns it might be something to add to the collection. The SOCOM has had a bit of a spotted past with function issues and might not be the best M14 platform to cut your teeth on. It may have just been the earlier ones that were having issues with timing, FTF/FTE issues due to the different gas system. A .308/7.62 round takes 18 plus inches of barrel to get a full powder burn hence the huge muzzle blast/fireball mentioned. The shorter the barrel the less powder is burned to achieve max velocity mean less power at max yardage. I have the full size 22 inch barrel myself. If I were to do it again I would opt for the Scout, lose the forward mount, add a solid HG and switch out the MB for a USGI flash hider. Karsten |
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