[jens5]

Heat and Accuracy problem

I had the same problem with my loaded. 1st few shots were right on, then accuracy would go to hell.
I removed the stock to see if anything was rubbing. Sure enough, it was. Sanded the ferrule and some wood using a dowel, re-leaved the hand-guard. Problem solved. Might be worth it to take a look.

 

[bailey]

Brother , shimming the GS takes 15 minutes on a bad day. If it doesn't work you can always take them off. Go with the irons and see what happens.

 

[AlphaTeaser]

Not Again?

The Three SOCOMS I have shot were 8" guns at 100 yards.

My Bush gun is a 2 to 2.5 incher.

There is something inherently accuracy wrong with most of the SOCOMs IMHO, baised on my experience, and what I have read from the experience of others.

My experience has been the similar, with both SOCOM and Bush model. See the final post in this thread: http://m14forum.com/modern-m14/103577-socom-16-a-2.html

Good Luck and Good Shooting.

Tommy

 

[Coffindancer]

I say don't get rid of it yet. I understand the frustration, but it might be something simple, and the SOCOM 16 is great once you get it dialed in. Like some folks said above, check your optics, and the mount. Or remove the optics and try irons. Those standard irons are about the size of a brick so that kind of sucks, but you should still be able to get an idea, with it being that wild. I have an Accupoint with a Bassett mount, which is supposed to be really good. I cleaned the bore for the mounting bolt with alcohol before installing it, so that it wouldn't loosen. Still, it didn't take long to loosen, and it was slight enough that I couldn't really tell by trying to wiggle the mount or scope. But it was enough to get my shots out of whack down range. These other folks know more than me, when it gets more technical than that, but I say, check the basics, run some good ammo, and don't give up yet. If you figure it out, you'll be happy, because the guns are great when they are shooting right. And you can get really good groups even though it has the short barrel. Worst case, if you can eliminate the ammo, and the basics, I would say you have a legitimate complaint for Springfield, and you might be able to get a replacement, if they screwed up somewhere. It would really suck to miss the opportunity to have a gun you wanted, which can be really great, and probably lose money getting rid of it. Good luck.

 

[grndpndr]

There sure seems to be plenty of potential there.WORST case scenario I could think of would be a bbl that upon heating the POI changes radically,but that bad?Id look elsewhere and as others have said lose the irons temporarily to see if thier the culprit.
If your easily frustrated the M1A may not be the rifle for you.I had a bunch of mech problems w/my M1A that were frustrating but eventually sorted out by SAI.
I now have a real nice reliable accurate battle rifle.Had I sold it (likely at a terrible loss)
Id be out of a good rifle and a bunch of cash.Stick with it a bit longer if you can.

 

[M21guy]

If it was offered for sale with a discount given the problems and it finally snowed where I had the money, I'd take on the challenge. Must be something to be seen by fresh eyes.

 

[byf43]

To the OP:

With me being the sarcastic bastige that I am. . . .
I'll give you $200.00 for your rifle, and you can be 'rid' of your problems.



Now, with that out of the way -




I echo what the others are saying about ditching the EOTech and using the iron sights and KNOWN GOOD ammo.
FGMM 168 gr is the 'standard'.

I've never been fond of SOCOMs. They seem to be just 'too' short.
There can't be that much barrel harmonics from that short barrel.
Scope mount. Loose or improperly fitting stock. GC needs to be shimmed.
Could be shooter error, but, you've got some decent groups in some of those pics.
The EOTech could very well be defective. Stranger things have happened.

 

[caw991]

It may help if you look at some of the posts in the modern M14 rifle section.

I have a Socom 16 that shot terrible out of the box. Did some modifications and, though it isn't a match M1A by any stretch, it is surprisingly accurate.

Yes, a well tuned M1A w/ match grade ammunition will constantly keep within a minute of angle if the shooter does his part.

I listed some of the accurizing steps that were very easy and cheap to do at home. they worked for me and probably will for you.

Hope this helps out there !

 

[NE450N02]

First let me say I have a lot of respect for Springfield Armory.

I have tought rifle schools in their area, and I have been to the factory, and they have brought guns out to my schools. They are great people.

Still the SOCOM's I have shot have been very disapointing.

The Bush Guns and the standard M1A-s I have shot have been excellent.
I have shot a LOT of them.

If the SOCOMS shot 3" groups at 100 with ball ammo I would be happy.
I am a BIG fan of a short barreled 308.

But 6" to 8" groups at 100 yards just do not cut it for me...

 

[Welding Rod]

My SOCOM shoots 3-4" groups at 100 yards with most standard factory ammo, a little tighter with my 168 SMK handloads. I am sure the gun can do a little better as I know I can't shoot those stock SOCOM sights to the gun's mechanical potential.

I have to EOtechs (neither on the SOCOM) and noticed that they can wander quite a bit for 5 or 10 shots after making any adjustments to them. After they settle in they seems to hold zero.

 

[Phil “Murphy” McGrath]

Many folks have pointed too the eotech as a posible problem, I agree it needs too be looked at, another area is mostly over looked it that most guys go to the range and fire a few or alot of rounds and feel the need too strip everything down too bare bones and scrub the #$&*( out of it.

I like clean rifles too but every time you remove the action from the stock it will take a few rounds too settle down with a short barreled rifle things can look real ugly when infact its just getting settled back in, another area of too look into is you said you clean with Breakfree I like too use it as well, if you have cleaned the barrel and left any in the bore the teflon in it turns into hexofloral whatever gunk under extream heat and preasure, in a nut shell make sure the bore is clean of Breakfree it will take a few extra rounds too burn out of the barrel. I like too use it in the bore when I'm going too store the rifle but I run a bore snake a few times or a few dry clean patches.

In the past there have been times when I was in a rush/hurry when I forgot too patch the bore after storage and I hit the range, everytime the first few rounds have been way off call and have taken a few extra rounds more than normal for the rifle too get back into its accuracy groove.

 

[mfdogman]

I agree with some of the comments. Have someone else shoot the rifle. Or, buy a box of quality ammo, (Federal Gold Match 168gr.) Remove the EOTEC and shoot with iron sights. I have an EOTEC on My patrol AR 15 only because I have to go with what is issued. I don't like it.

 

[Dredsen]

a lot of people have given great advice. wheres the OP any reports? have you indeed given up on your socom?

 

[MikeM0331]

From other post I've read, just using heavier ammo instantly helped shrink groups. Having a buddy shoot is good too. And I would do it with iron sights too so you can rule out the mount as the problem.

 

[Dredsen]

i think this guy is long gone. nice necro post though

 

[Philz M1A]

If the SOCOMS shot 3" groups at 100 with ball ammo I would be happy.
I am a BIG fan of a short barreled 308.

But 6" to 8" groups at 100 yards just do not cut it for me...

I was shooting 6 to 8 inch groups from the prone unsupported at 100 yards with my SOCOM. TOTALLY happy.

 

[ghorn]

Well I have given up on my socom. Can not hit target paper at 100 yrs after rifle warms up. This is not right. Spent a lot of money for this rifle and sage stock. Very disappointed in the rifle and can not get Springfield to get back with me on the problem. She is GONE!!! I am trading her in for a newer 308 in AR style. No more Socoms for me or SAI, ya'll had your chance.

 

[Philz M1A]

Well I have given up on my socom. Can not hit target paper at 100 yrs after rifle warms up. This is not right. Spent a lot of money for this rifle and sage stock. Very disappointed in the rifle and can not get Springfield to get back with me on the problem. She is GONE!!! I am trading her in for a newer 308 in AR style. No more Socoms for me or SAI, ya'll had your chance.

So what you are saying is you want to sell me your SAGE stock?

DI2

I'm with you though, I totally realize that the SOCOM isn't the most accurate, but to me it doesn't matter. Different rifles do different things well. I have had quite a few motorcycles and the ones that go fast and light through the curves usually aren't the best ones to put in 500 mile days on, and vice versa.

I like the SOCOM because it looks really cool, and I can still drop targets on the move at 25 yards and also put rounds on paper at 100 yards. Good enough for me.

I went shooting with a buddy who had a AR10 with a gigantic scope, at 100 yards (on a bipod) he was putting all 20 rounds inside of probably 1 inch. Cool, but so what. It's all up to what you want I guess...

 

[Daves762]

Ill buy it from you.

 

[Dredsen]

guys look how old the post is...