Here is a link to this build
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...3-NORINCO-M305-M14-Build?highlight=M305+Build
I want to buy a 305... Im worried about the bolt. Also not sure what Barrel length.
- Thread starter Canadiankeeper
- Start date
Here is a link to this build
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...3-NORINCO-M305-M14-Build?highlight=M305+Build
If I was going to buy another one the first thing I would do is contact a certain someone that lives in Regina and see if he has any examples of the chinese rifles that he has tuned up and is willing to sell. Yup youre going to pay more but IMO it would be worth it. Buts thats just me.
Either way, the M305 has got to be one of the greatest bargains in the firearms world today. We are so accustomed to seeing them everywhere for cheap that we tend to forget how much more our American friends are paying for essentially the same gun. The huge amount of technical support and knowledge that is available is a big plus.
I've had both lengths and doubt that I would ever consider another long-barreled version. The 18.5-inch gun is worlds ahead in handling, and only slightly behind in performance. Sure, the extra few inches of barrel length will get you a few dozen fps more velocity. So would buying a .30-06 or a .300WinMag, but so what? News flash: you are not (or at least, you should not be...) buying a M305 because it is the ultimate hunting rifle. It most certainly is not going to be that...ever, no matter what you do to upgrade or improve it. So choosing one length over the other for that reason seems unreasonable. Buy the one you like the look of, the one that handles better for you...the one you want, not the one somebody else tells you that you should want.
I've had both lengths and doubt that I would ever consider another long-barreled version. The 18.5-inch gun is worlds ahead in handling, and only slightly behind in performance. Sure, the extra few inches of barrel length will get you a few dozen fps more velocity. So would buying a .30-06 or a .300WinMag, but so what? News flash: you are not (or at least, you should not be...) buying a M305 because it is the ultimate hunting rifle. It most certainly is not going to be that...ever, no matter what you do to upgrade or improve it. So choosing one length over the other for that reason seems unreasonable. Buy the one you like the look of, the one that handles better for you...the one you want, not the one somebody else tells you that you should want.
Respectfully, I don't think you have provided enough information on how you intend to use the rifle to properly advise on what you ought to do. Let me explain.
- Is this a rifle you intend to carry around a lot? If yes, weight and handiness is more of a factor.
- Do you intend to shoot irons or mount optics? If you shoot irons a fair bit, the longer sight radius of a military barrel (they are 22", not 20") will improve your groups. If you are going to only use a scope, then the barrel length won't significantly affect accuracy.
- How are you going to configure the rifle? Are you looking for the classic Vietnam aesthetic, or are you after a modern middle-eastern campaign DMR-type rifle? If the latter, there are all sorts os options from a crazy-horse configuration to an aluminum chassis gun. Personally, I don;t like the chassis options as I find them heavy and too angular compared to a wood or fibreglass stocked rifle. That said, I tend to keep and use the wood stocked vietnam era 22" rifles, while I tend to sell the more modern versions after building them. they shoot fine, but don't "speak" to me.
As for the bolt, if you don't find an older gun, a new bolt is becoming part of the price of owning an M14 clone. MIM bolts are not proving themselves safe and I would not personally use a rifle with one installed. Some people do, but they are blowing up and an alarming rate and I like my face too much.
That said, I have never owned a chinese M305 in which I have kept the original bolt. Why? Because I'm an M14 accuracy buff and these rifles almost always shoot more consistently using factory ammo with a GI bolt lapped into the receiver to tighten up headspace. Luckily, Wolverine has a bunch of USGI bolts for sale for anyone who wants to do this mod, provided you don't mind it will have some israeli military markings on it.
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PS: If money is no object, either buy and LRB rifle, or LRB receiver and USGI kit, or break down any Norinco for the receiver and put USGI parts on it. M14Medic or Vulcan can even rework the chinese receiver to look like USGI, complete with heel markings. The chinese receivers are actually pretty good, in some ways (internal dimensions) even better than an LRB. The LRB is a more refined product though and looks like a real M14 in terms of fit and finish, the Norincos look a little more coarse.
Good questions.
Planned on upgrading op rod.
Rail and mounting optic (2.5-10)
Dropping it into an arch angel chassis.
General tuning hoping to get it down to 2 moa. Pretty much a range toy because I cant use it to hunt in SWO.
The Arch Angel stock looks great, but is not actually a great stock. You'd be better off with USGI fibreglass and bedding for less money that a flexible stock made by ProMag.
If you are going to use optics, I would encourage you to look at the ARMS18 mount or the Sadlak steel mounts. Some of hte M14 smiths in Canada will push you toward the aluminum M14.ca rail. It works for some people, but I don't use or trust it PERSONALLY. I trust steel.
But it sounds like you want a modern look and optics, so consider the 18.5" rifle. It will be lighter and handier and you don't need the extra sight radius or the vintage look.
Maybe look at building an SEI Cray Horse clone. Might fit the bill and will work better than an M305 in an Archangel stock.
http://www.smithenterprise.com/products02.html
I thought I did. Cuz my buddie has the modern look... That wood boyds stock with irons is absolutely mint though....
So likely going to that. Upgrade the iron sights.
That's the problem with these damned things: inexpensive to buy, easy to build up and with so many completely different options that it's almost impossible to choose just one.
They're like 10/22's for grown-ups...
They're like 10/22's for grown-ups...
That's the problem with these damned things: inexpensive to buy, easy to build up and with so many completely different options that it's almost impossible to choose just one.
They're like 10/22's for grown-ups...
I think that is one of the best things ive heard on this site! lmao!
Yea well my buddy has the "long range precision" DMR style 305. I think I will have to go with the wood and irons ! I haven't shot irons for a long time !
The Gen2 CASM from M14.ca is available in steel as well. That's what I have.
I haven't seen the g2 yet in person, I (personal preference) did not like the gen1.
What I like about the arms and Brookfield style (SEI, Sadlak, etc) is that you can still use irons when they are mounted.
I have an old one probably from the early 90's, serial # is 927X on the reciever, it was my Grandpa's. It's still a go to for taking in the bush for me. I've used 3, mine which is excellent, reliable and I'm told it shoots around 1.5moa, another bought around 2012 which was heavily modded, it worked great and shot around 1 moa, and another bought sometime around 2010 which had some minor annoying issues, although it shot fine with groups in the ballpark of 2 moa.
I'd say buy one while they are still relatively cheap. As with anything Norinco, getting a lemon is possible, but chances are much higher it'll function and shoot fine.
Looks like a C/A in that picture...
Looks an awful lot, at the very least, like a GI parts kit on a receiver of some variety, if not a converted auto M14 with a brown epoxy patch where the selector was.
That is DEFINITELY a USGI op rod and the stock is for certain a USGI birch stock.
