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Posted: 6/23/2006 3:46:38 PM EDT
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I am going out for round 2 of my attempt to zero my SA "Loaded" M1A with the 1st Gen Springfield scope and I have a few questions. Question #1. Taking my rather limited marksmanship abilities out of the equation, what type of groups should I expect to see @ 100yrds using SA 7.62 surplus ammo? Question #2. What should I expect to see @ 200yrds using the SA 7.62 surplus? My first attempt resulted in a group that was approximately 7 wide inches @ 200yrds. and all were high and right. I did attribute most of that to the fact that there was about a 7 to 10 mph crosswind but mostly to the fact that it was the first time in almost 22 years that I had actually fired a rifle of any type ( other than sighting in my new AR15). However, I immediatley picked up my new M4 style AR with open A.R.M.S. 40 BUIS, 16 inch barrel and all and put 2 of 3 in the 10 ring @ 200 yrds. Based on that I assume that it was not ALL me. 3rd and final question: The M1A is all Springfiled. Scope, mount and rifle. When I do get this zeroed, if I should elect to revove the scope, via the big thumb screws, to do some iron sight shooting, how far off of zero should I expect the scope to be once I re-mount it to the weapon? |
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he he he he he he he. I just mounted my Dad's springfield gen III mount and leupy scope on my polytech. And it doesn't sit exactly over the bore. It's a little to the right. That'll screw with your zero. If you zere at 25 it's not going to be anywhere close at 200 yards. My dad and I had the same problem you did when it was on his loaded model. At 200 real high and right. I did a little 100 yards shooting with it. I think the best group I got with it on was 3 some odd inches on my polytech. I did get a few smaller groups with my dad's loaded model with scope and mount. I think the smallest was 1-1/4". Personally, I couldn't stand it on mine, so I took it off after about 3 days. It just seems to screw up the handling charastics of the M14. The M14 in stock form is about as good as a rifle gets in all aspects. In my humble opinion. However, I think one of the smith mounts that are lower and directly over the bore might be a good choice for optics. Someday, I may tinker with that. As for now, the irons are cool with me. |
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First thing I would do is to firmly mount and support the rifle and put the cross hair on a defined point on the target. Turn the alignment knobs 10 minutes up, 10 right, 10 down, 10 left and see if the scope returns to the origin. If it doesn't , the internals (erector) are sticking and will give you fits while trying to zero. I have heard of such things with the Springfield scopes, and others too. Nice thing is you can do this test without burning ammo. The symptom would be seen as making an adjustment of several clicks and then taking a few shots for the erector to move to your last adjustment. 
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Easy answers. The western bloc military acceptance standard for military rifles is 3 inch groups at 100 yards using iron sights. This translates into 6 inches at 200 yards. How can you reduce the size of the grouping? 1. if shooting prone, use the USMC sniper scout position with sandbags. It is the equivalent of having a mechanical hold without your pulsating blood or shaking hands moving the rifle. 2. use a ballistics table. 3. use quality optics. some optics do wander. 4. use quality rings and a quality mount. The manufacturer of my mount joked about the Springfield Version 3 mount that I sold off brand new - "Do you know why it was version 3? Answer- because versions 1 and 2 didn't work". 5. shoot match ammo. Yes, I have SA .308 ammo. Do I expect it to perform like factory fresh, US manufactured ammo? No. |
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+1 on ditching the Springfield mount at your earliest opportuntiy! The ARMS and SMITH make a SOLID FOUNDATION for your optics. both are steel, and mount properly in three spots to the receiver to prevent movement. The Springfield is alloy which can flex, and the thumbwheels will often loosed, which will ruin your zero when you can least afford it. You will be better served in the long run with a Smith or ARMS mount with a set of quick detachable rings if you want to lift off the optics for some iron sights only shooting with your rifle. Just my experience over many years and beers!! BIGGER_HAMMER 
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