[Danus ex]

I'm curious to determine the extent to which ammunition like the Federal Gold Medal Match 175 gr SMK improves performance in your USGI barreled M14/M1a. What's your average 10 shot group size, with which rifle/barrel, with which ammo or load, at what distance, from what position, with what support? Is there an appreciable accuracy improvement over standard M80? How significant?

 

[WaM14gunner]

As with so many things in life.. it all depends. Every rifle is different. As to the rest of your questions, it would take a small book to address them all. Much has to do with shooting ability. For a barrel with a 1-10 twist the 175's will usually shoot well but only your barrel will know for sure. If you want to try a factory load that is showing great promise in all my M14's, get some Federal 168 OTM rounds (red box) its made for the M1A platform and shoots really well. Good luck.

 

[POLACK]

try them all and see what works with yours

 

[noob14s]

Match ammo will always be better on average. Fewer fliers etc. If you are trying for accuracy then yes it is worth it, if you are happy with whatever groups you are getting with M80 ammo then just stick with that.

 

[KurtC]

I've had over a half dozen M1A's with USGI barrels and shoot nothing but my FGMM 175 clones.

They will all keep them in the 10 ring (3 moa approx.) with iron sights. I sling up snug and rest the back of my hand on a sandbag. I get around 2 moa with a scope, but my scope is only 4x and has a post reticle (no crosshair).


This is a TRW barrel at 100 yds, USGI walnut stock, using iron sights:



Winchester barrel, USGI fiberglass stock at 200 yds, adjusting the elevation on the 4x scope. Group at the top for confirmation:

 

[Yahoo]

Danus, when you say USGI, do you mean GI contour?

I recently rebarreled my M1A with a Criterion GI contour barrel. Based on my test fire group, I think it would hold the CMP X ring if I could do my part.

In this session I shot 16 shots, 6 with GGG Nato, which were just off to the left. I put in two click to the right ans shot 10 rounds with my match loads, below.

I plan on shooting this in a sanctioned match next weekend - high hopes, except offhand.

Yahoo

 

[Phil “Murphy” McGrath]

try them all and see what works with yours

Yea, what he said.......