and throws big bucks at them. Not because they are a great accuracy platform. The bedding is finicky, triggers are hard to tune, mounting a scope is a pain..... All this can be overcome but it dosn't just happen.
Dont get me wrong. I have two and love them. But to give someone the impression that all the M305s out there are shooting sub MOA with or without handloads is a little misleading.
I've been tuning and shooting them for a short while, since about 91, and this is exactly my experience as well. USGI, or Norc.
But, to quote someone who knows mamothly more about it then myself(Glen Zediker):
"The M14 is a more fragile rifle(then the AR-15): if you don't believe so, ask someone to hand you his match m14, grab it by the handguards, and then run like stink after the glue cracks loose."
"Heat and humidity affect the M14"
"Douglas, Hart, Krieger, Schneider, it doesn't matter: everyone's best M14 shoots minute of angle."
These are all quotes talking about priceless masterpieces that cost an order of a magnitude more then a norc. If you can find someone willing to build them for you. All in reference to mechanical performance, and all done without the added fail points of a scope/ mount, and rings.
Don't get me wrong, I love the M14. It has been my primary or backup hunting rifle since the early 90s. The amount of times I've heard people say theirs shoot miraculous groups is frustrating though. I do love the rifle though. If someone wants to show me their sub MOA norc, I would be a very attentive student.