[Hobbulator]

So i finally get enoigh rounds loaded and i cannot hit consistently for the life if me. Here is my setup.

Loaded M1A w/ Vltor stock
Springfield gen 4 scope mount w/ Weaver 4 hole scope rings
Primary Arms 4-14 ACSS

I am using factory 7.62 FMJ and my hand loads to mimic M80 ball so I am not expecting to hit a gnats butt everytime, but I should be getting ~2-3 MOA.

I was at the range this week shooting from a shooting rest and it was all over the place, ~7-8 MOA. That is when I noticed the receiver isn't sitting flush with the stock and curious to know if yall believe this may be the cause of the inconsistencies.

I understand my scope is low tier quality but I aint getting that Uncle Sam paycheck every 2 weeks. But even then I feel like it may be more of a mechanical issue just because it is all over the place

Here are some pics of the reciever the gap is 1.2 cm

Suggestions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated

 

[POLACK]

before you do anything,let somebody else shoot it and see if they have the same issue.
try some good factory.
try it w/out scope and see what happens.make sure you put something under rear of butt stock to steady it. m14 has a habit of killing scopes

 

[noob14s]

Try it without the scope, if all else fails try it in the original stock. Should be around 2" with good ammo.

 

[smoothy8500]

Looking at the pics it looks like the receiver heel is contacting the properly, and normally their is a "gap" directly below the rear sight base on GI stocks to accomodate flex. I'm not familiar with the Vltor stock though. Also you mention FMJ handloads. Who was the mfr of the projectiles? Hornady and Winchester have decent records. Other brands have some really bad reputations. Widener's no-name "Milspec" were the worst performers I have come across; 7 MOA just like you're getting.

 

[Hobbulator]

They are surplus M80 from ammunition store. I have noticed the projectiles seemed lopsided so that could be it as well.

I will try with just the irons to see as well

 

[Wasted ammo]

Never shoot lopsided projectiles

 

[smoothy8500]

They are surplus M80 from ammunition store. I have noticed the projectiles seemed lopsided so that could be it as well.

I think getting some decent ammo would be your first step in ruling out issues. The SAI scope mounts also have a bad rep for coming loose too.

 

[Redneck Yankee]

Is that a crack in the stock or a reflection by the bolt lock?

 

[POLACK]

paint scratch

 

[KurtC]

Personally, I would ditch the ammo, scope, rings, mount and stock. RNGR2

Get some Federal 168 OTM (with the M1A Socom on the box) or GMM.

See how it shoots with irons, in the original stock, with quality ammo.

 

[Killashrub]

Get some decent ammo. It doesn't have to be expensive. Even Magtech or PPU will work. See if the piston is dropping free inside the gas cylinder when you tilt the rifle. Check the gas cylinder lock to make sure it is snug. Do the pencil alignment to the the flash hider to make sure the rounds are not striking the muzzle device. Don't use the optic. This should remove just about any possible cause to accuracy decrease. If your groups improve by 50% try the optic again.

 

[Hobbulator]

Alright gentleman,

Hit the range before work and took in some of yalls recommendations.
I did 20rds with my reloads; 10 with the Vltor and 10 with the SA stock.

Got the same results out of both some hitting decently others all over the place. But I do think the root of the problem probably is the ammo. Smoothy the projectiles do look a bit lopsided. The picture may not do it justice but I guess I never noticed how lopsided some of the projectiles are in the casing.

I will try with some decent factory ammo and give yall an update

 

[sac troop]

Whats the story regarding the brass? How many times has it been fired?
Is it mixed head stamps, or all from the same lot?

 

[Hobbulator]

Personally, I would ditch the ammo, scope, rings, mount and stock. RNGR2

Get some Federal 168 OTM (with the M1A Socom on the box) or GMM.

See how it shoots with irons, in the original stock, with quality ammo.

Tried two boxes when I first got it and my gun did not enjoy it at all.

 

[Hobbulator]

Whats the story regarding the brass? How many times has it been fired?
Is it mixed head stamps, or all from the same lot?

Once fired, mixed from an outdoor range I used to work at. Most of them coming from guys gettin ready for hunting season here.

 

[Capona]

Tried two boxes when I first got it and my gun did not enjoy it at all.

If your rifle does not like 168 OTM, your rifle has an issue.

Get 1 box of federal 168 GMM, this is the gold standard.
Shoot irons at 50 yards off sandbags and bench. If your not grouping decent it's you or you have a rifle issue. You eliminated the scope, mount, and rings.

 

[smoothy8500]

If your rifle does not like 168 OTM, your rifle has an issue.

Get 1 box of federal 168 GMM, this is the gold standard.
Shoot irons at 50 yards off sandbags and bench. If your not grouping decent it's you or you have a rifle issue. You eliminated the scope, mount, and rings.

Yes, somewhat suspicious. Perhaps he meant "didn't like it" as in it was only good for 1-1/2 MOA? Hopefully it wasn't "Didn't like it" because it only got 7 MOA.

 

[Eagle7840]

paint scratch

Looks like a crack to me just in front of the rear sight adjustment. There's a scratch rearward.

 

[SGT John SWF]

Tried two boxes when I first got it and my gun did not enjoy it at all.

Your Gun did not like Federal 168 gr Match ammo.
Hmmmmmm. That is Strange. It usually makes a Gun shoot very well.

Stock change? Ammo Change? Scope removed?
Son I am afraid this Rifle has a Condition?

 

[Eagle7840]

Check to make sure the scratch in front of the sight adjustment is not a crack that would affect accuracy. 2nd did you use "blue" Loctite or equivalent thread locker on scope bases and rings to keep them from loosening up during recoil? 3rd try 147-150 grain factory bullet ammo to see how it patterns. Your barrel rifling might like the NATO standard bullet weight.