Nothing but trouble with my scoped M1A
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104 Posts
I will have to see if my younger brother still has his micrometer so I can measure my receiver groove (he went to a community college to become a machinist) if I go with this route. I should ask him sometime.
That Basset scope mount looks pretty easy to install. I will keep this in mind, although I still need to weigh my options.
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581 Posts
SAI Gen 4 mount
I must be lucky... mine works fine.
I have the aluminum SAI Gen 4 mount on my Socom 16. I did have to
read the instructions three or four times to make sure I understood
exactly what they intended to convey. There is a sequence to mounting it,
torque the screws, installing the rear attachment point, alignment, etc.
Once mounted, I was able to sight-in my Redfield Revolution 2-7x32mm
scope in no time at all. It's held zero for almost 500 rounds as of today.
I went to the range this afternoon and fired off some MEN 92 and FGMM.
I've been very happy with the results. I got the mount on sale, the scope
is a great value, has great glass, is bright, and operates very smooth.
I've actually shot 168gr .308 FGMM at sub MOA, 5 shot groups in past
sessions. Today the best my eyes could do was 1.25 MOA.
The MEN 92 shot 1.75-2.0 MOA, rapid fire, 5 shot groups at 100 yards.
The mount has not come loose, it aligned okay when first mounted, scope
windage and elevation adjustments were straight forward. I was able to get
it zeroed initially in no time. Been zeroed ever since. I did make sure the
alignment slots in the receiver and the tabs in the mount fit.
One thing I did discover with my rig, my POI with NATO ammo shoots 4-5
inches higher than 308 ammo at 100 yards. This is very repeatable, works
every time. I've shot MEN, Venezuela, South African, and Winchester white
box NATO and all have shot accurate but high. Good groups, all consistent,
but higher than the 308. I've also shot different brands of 308, and they all
shoot consistent, but lower than the NATO. I assume that's the difference
between NATO and 308 dimensionally. I can go back and forth between the
NATO and 308, and get the same grouping each time.
I must be lucky... mine works fine.
I have the aluminum SAI Gen 4 mount on my Socom 16. I did have to
read the instructions three or four times to make sure I understood
exactly what they intended to convey. There is a sequence to mounting it,
torque the screws, installing the rear attachment point, alignment, etc.
Once mounted, I was able to sight-in my Redfield Revolution 2-7x32mm
scope in no time at all. It's held zero for almost 500 rounds as of today.
I went to the range this afternoon and fired off some MEN 92 and FGMM.
I've been very happy with the results. I got the mount on sale, the scope
is a great value, has great glass, is bright, and operates very smooth.
I've actually shot 168gr .308 FGMM at sub MOA, 5 shot groups in past
sessions. Today the best my eyes could do was 1.25 MOA.
The MEN 92 shot 1.75-2.0 MOA, rapid fire, 5 shot groups at 100 yards.
The mount has not come loose, it aligned okay when first mounted, scope
windage and elevation adjustments were straight forward. I was able to get
it zeroed initially in no time. Been zeroed ever since. I did make sure the
alignment slots in the receiver and the tabs in the mount fit.
One thing I did discover with my rig, my POI with NATO ammo shoots 4-5
inches higher than 308 ammo at 100 yards. This is very repeatable, works
every time. I've shot MEN, Venezuela, South African, and Winchester white
box NATO and all have shot accurate but high. Good groups, all consistent,
but higher than the 308. I've also shot different brands of 308, and they all
shoot consistent, but lower than the NATO. I assume that's the difference
between NATO and 308 dimensionally. I can go back and forth between the
NATO and 308, and get the same grouping each time.
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11,155 Posts
You will find that the top three mounts used by most people on this forum are either a Sadlak or a Bassett mount followed by a smaller group using the ARMS mount. I have a Sadlak Airborne Steel mount that has worked very well for me on two different M1As. But regardless of which you end up with, in order to get the best results you need to verify the mount's alignment with the bore and you need to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions as carefully as possible, including screw tightening pattern and torque specs.
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104 Posts
After reading around a bit in the Sadlak vs. Bassett thread, I am seriously considering getting a picatinny rail scope mount package from Bassett, given that I am still interested in using the iron sights on this rifle and these mounts seem to be easy to deal with (not to mention that they cost a mere $150.00).
I hope to be a better shot one day, and when that is the case (and I have more money), i will probably get a higher end M14 (probably Fulton Armory or LRB) to use as a dedicated scope rifle. I will probably get something more sturdy like a Sadlak for such a rifle. I should have plenty of time to think about how to make such a rifle accurate.
I hope to be a better shot one day, and when that is the case (and I have more money), i will probably get a higher end M14 (probably Fulton Armory or LRB) to use as a dedicated scope rifle. I will probably get something more sturdy like a Sadlak for such a rifle. I should have plenty of time to think about how to make such a rifle accurate.
Where does one buy a Sadlak or Basset Mount? I have a Springfield Armory M1A Loaded with a generation 4 mount. I tried laser bore sighting it yesterday. I mounted a Zeiss Hensoldt scope on it and I could get the elevation to dial in but I could not get the windage to dial in. I used up all the travel on the windage to the left and I could not move the vertical hair over the laser sighting target.
After reading this thread I am suspecting the gen 4 SA mount is either defective or not mounted correctly. I will try remounting the scope mount per the instructions. In the mean time will somebody please post some links on this thread where these mounts can be purchased. Also, has anybody tried the M14 scope mounts from Smith Enterprises? Any thoughts there?
After reading this thread I am suspecting the gen 4 SA mount is either defective or not mounted correctly. I will try remounting the scope mount per the instructions. In the mean time will somebody please post some links on this thread where these mounts can be purchased. Also, has anybody tried the M14 scope mounts from Smith Enterprises? Any thoughts there?
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2,064 Posts
Bassett and Sadlak. I've heard good things about the Smith mount, too.
When I first started thinking of scoping one of my M1As, all I read about the SA mounts was negative, so I bought a Sadlak and stuck it on my Loaded Special with no problems. It was on paper with the first shot and took only a few inches of adjustment to get it zeroed.
I've been thinking of getting a Bassett mount for my other gun since it can be taken on and off so easy. I can't see it being as strong as the Sadlak, especially if it got banged against something, but it would make for a versatile setup.
When I first started thinking of scoping one of my M1As, all I read about the SA mounts was negative, so I bought a Sadlak and stuck it on my Loaded Special with no problems. It was on paper with the first shot and took only a few inches of adjustment to get it zeroed.
I've been thinking of getting a Bassett mount for my other gun since it can be taken on and off so easy. I can't see it being as strong as the Sadlak, especially if it got banged against something, but it would make for a versatile setup.
I 've used my Bassett Piccatiny Mount on 2 stocks, and the mount has been solid.
On a USGI Loose Woodstock, the rifle never settled into decent groups and I shot Iron sights, did about the same and thought it was just the platform.
When I switched over to a Tight USGI Fiberglass...I found the Bassette Mount was just as solid as before, but the overal groups improved greatly.
Designer Bill Bassett will hand-walk you thru any questions/issues you may have.
Mine had some loosening issues after some cleaning solvent got into the threads. After cleaning/drying/re-installing, it's never come loose again.
Not Recommended: I have heard the Basett mounting bolt can take a little more torque than usually recommended. But be careful and check with the designer before giving it more than a little extra "German Torque".
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11,155 Posts
From my limited experience, I feel that the first thing to look for when you have accuracy problems is poor stock fit or too flexible of a stock then I work with the front band tension and next the gas cylinder. By then you should have pretty nice groups in most cases.
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237 Posts
I use both Sadlak and Armscorp with no issues.
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157 Posts
+1
I removed my scope (QD) box tested it and on the final round I removed the scope again remounted it and the final round was overlapped with the first.
When I mounted the ARMS 18 base I applied lock tight and torqued to specs.....steel is equal to the hardness of the receiver. I can't see why someone wouldn't use an ARMS 18 Mount.
my .02c
I too have an ARMS mount ...zero problems ...In fact I sent my Leupold M4 in to get 1/4 MOA turrets installed when it was returned to me "optically Zeroed" I mounted it and fired only 1 MOA high and 1/2 Min right.
I removed my scope (QD) box tested it and on the final round I removed the scope again remounted it and the final round was overlapped with the first.
When I mounted the ARMS 18 base I applied lock tight and torqued to specs.....steel is equal to the hardness of the receiver. I can't see why someone wouldn't use an ARMS 18 Mount.
my .02c
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927 Posts
Or......
You may first want to also change to a known good scope on your existing mounts to eliminate the possibility of a bad scope, and that may save you from spending a bunch of unnecessary coin.
And then, if the scope's good, I'd switch to a Bassett mount. Yep; there's lots of other mounts out there with great reps, but I can peak for the Bassett design and it's owner, Bill Bassett. His take on customer service will certainly impress you, in the unlikely event that you might need it! He promised me that if I had any "fit" or "wiggle" problems, to call him and he'd take care of it, but that to date he'd not had any such issues. I had no such issues! Mine fit as if it had been custom-machined for my SAI receiver.
Cost you about $180 or so as I recall, plus shipping, etc.. I put one on my new SAI NM, (I actulaly bought a low and a high mount type) and it fit perfectly, does not wiggle, and returns to, essentially, the xact-same zero when dis- and re-mounting it.
BTW, I also used the very heavy-duty Burris Xtreme Tactical rings. Each ring has 6 screws holding the scope down, but are also made of strong but very light-weight alloy.
You may first want to also change to a known good scope on your existing mounts to eliminate the possibility of a bad scope, and that may save you from spending a bunch of unnecessary coin.
And then, if the scope's good, I'd switch to a Bassett mount. Yep; there's lots of other mounts out there with great reps, but I can peak for the Bassett design and it's owner, Bill Bassett. His take on customer service will certainly impress you, in the unlikely event that you might need it! He promised me that if I had any "fit" or "wiggle" problems, to call him and he'd take care of it, but that to date he'd not had any such issues. I had no such issues! Mine fit as if it had been custom-machined for my SAI receiver.
Cost you about $180 or so as I recall, plus shipping, etc.. I put one on my new SAI NM, (I actulaly bought a low and a high mount type) and it fit perfectly, does not wiggle, and returns to, essentially, the xact-same zero when dis- and re-mounting it.
BTW, I also used the very heavy-duty Burris Xtreme Tactical rings. Each ring has 6 screws holding the scope down, but are also made of strong but very light-weight alloy.
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104 Posts
I finally managed to go shooting while using my new Bassett mount, and it seems to be working rather well. I should probably get some of my own sandbags, as the range does not have any, which is not helping me out; the bullets are striking in a decent sized grouping, but I am rusty and I could tell I was shaking. In short, I am not sure if the inaccuracies I had were indications of needing to adjust the knobs on the scope a bit or if they were a product of human error (this is probably the most likely explanation).
But seriously, everyone, whatever you do, steer clear of Springfield Armory scope mounts! They are nothing but trouble! Get ARMS #18, get Sadlak, get Bassett...just don't get a Springfield Armory scope mount!
But seriously, everyone, whatever you do, steer clear of Springfield Armory scope mounts! They are nothing but trouble! Get ARMS #18, get Sadlak, get Bassett...just don't get a Springfield Armory scope mount!
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17 Posts
Re Mounted My SA 4th gen Mount.
I know this thread is old but wanted to add my luck to the SA scope mount. Ended up doing a remount and used thread lock this time. I also had to tighten it more. Used rag covered channel locks. It's right on at 100yds. Haven't shot it futher distance yet but very happy with the mount. Scope is a SA 3rd Gen.
fyi it's an aluminum mount.
DI5
I know this thread is old but wanted to add my luck to the SA scope mount. Ended up doing a remount and used thread lock this time. I also had to tighten it more. Used rag covered channel locks. It's right on at 100yds. Haven't shot it futher distance yet but very happy with the mount. Scope is a SA 3rd Gen.
fyi it's an aluminum mount.
DI5
Have a standard SA M1A with a Bassett mount. Rifle shoots 5 shot groups as well as any I have read about on the forum and apparently better than some that cost twice as much. Being a long time Savage shooter one thing I have learned well is that more money does always mean more accuracy. To be fair the SA I have is an older model with a Winchester trigger housing, H&R trigger group, forged bolt, and NM sights. I added a Sadlak op guide and a USGI extractor.
Quoted for emphasis!
My wonderful wife bought a Sadlak Ind. steel mount for my beloved SAI M1A, a couple of years ago.
She bought it directly from Sadlak.
This mount replaced an SAI 3rd Generation scope mount, that DID give good service for a couple of years, but, that SAI mount started getting 'peened' on the horizontal rib that mates with the receiver.
Also, the 'screws' kept coming loose, even with "Blue Locktite".
My receiver is a fairly early receiver. It's 057xxx. This receiver meets G.I. specs, according to Sadlak's 'pins'.
Also, if your receiver isn't within specs, Sadlak offered an 'adjustment' on their mount, unlike any other mount manufacturers that I've seen.
This scope mount is very strong and very secure.
Follow directions and you'll be good-to-go.
(I put Leupold MKIV steel rings on top of the Sadlak mount.)
Sadlak is FIRST RATE in my not-so-humble opinion!!!
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