[tonyben]

Oh dear...

So first, let me respectfully ask what your previous exposure is to the M14 is. You can easily step into a hornet's nest on this one.

For a new person, the two worst people to talk to without any previous exposure and research is Fulton and Smith. Fulton makes pretty good stuff but there are other quality makers of M14 parts. Fulton will have good customer service but their prices for services can be quite steep.

Smith thinks that they are the ONLY makers of quality M14 parts and they will use many strong words and expletives convincing you so; maybe even a lawyer if you disagree with them. Dealing with them can be like dealing with the Sopranos. You will also pay a heavy price to have them do work for you.

My top recommendations for scope mounts are Sadlak and Bassett. If you can find an ARMS or a Brookfield, they are excellent too but they are pretty much collector's items now.

What is the purpose of your build? Do you want to remove the scope frequently? Will it be in the field? Is it for a police department? The Sadlak is what I recommend for people who want to semi-permanently install the scope. The Bassett is what I recommend for people who will regularly remove the scope and maybe mount it to different rifles.

What other work do you need done? We can help point you in the right direction. Call Jon Wolfe and get his opinion. He will be very pleasant to talk to and he builds top end rifles. Who has your rifle now? By the way, Smith will tell you that all the people on this forum are morons. Let's just say that SEI and this forum...."have history," to put it lightly.

Night Force and Leupold scopes will work just fine.

Tony.

 

[tonyben]

The click value is really personal preference. Perhaps go with more bang for buck. If you aren't shooting for score, 1/4 clicks may not benefit you. Most shooters can't exploit that kind of fine tune accuracy.

Sadlak, SEI and Fulton all copied and modified the Brookfield mount. Brookfield, I believe, worked with and helped Sadlak develop their scope mount. At least I seem to recall that being said by one of the Sadlak reps that frequents this board.

All the mounts, with the exception of maybe the Fulton, in this topic have been tested by the military, even the Bassett. All performed well. You might want to call a neutral, unbiased, gunsmith and get their opinion. We can direct you to quite a few.

Tony.

 

[tonyben]

Click value doesn't really matter to me, the only reason I ask is because Smith told me 1/4 MOA click values are a significant hindrance. My main criteria for a scope are: ruggedness, holding of zero even after sustaining trauma, and having a low enough power to work close up yet enough magnification to work out to 400-500 yards.

Sure! If you know of anyone I could talk to, I certainly would appreciate that kind of direction! I am pretty keen on having Smith glass bed my receiver and install and sight in my scope, it's just a matter of what mount I want them to use.

Well, I recommend talking to Jon Wolfe, Ted Brown, Derrick Martin, Phil Arrington, Charlie Maloney, Hook Boutin or sending a PM to Art Luppino and they may be able to clear things up. Here's also a list of credible, reputable M-14 specific gunsmiths all over the US and their contact info.

http://m14forum.com/reference/54366-gunsmiths-armorers-who-work-m-14-type-rifles.html

So my understanding is that you are having a rifle built by Fulton right now, but want to send it to SEI to have it glass bedded and have a scope installed? And you live in IL?

Tony.