Norinco M-14S How Well Do Yours Shoot?

[miykael]

My Norinco M-14S (recent M-305B package) was shooting 2" groups or better with handloaded Hornady 150g FMJs. From researching on the net, it seems that this is pretty good groups for a Norinco with nothing done and less than 50 rounds. From what I found, the stock Springfields are no better and cost many times as much. Anyone getting better groups on the unmod`d factory rifle

 

[Tengoo]

I haven't done any serious shooting with my shorty yet. However I'd be very pleased with anything under 3MOA and satisfied with 4MOA.

I plan to acquire a full-size and set it up for accuracy. With the right scope, mount and ammo I am hopeful for really good results.

 

[Bart212]

Well I was at the range on the weekend and I shot 3rds on 1.25 at 75yds on the bullseye with irons from the bench (but not with one of those fancy bench shooting setups. Now I'll admit I'm not that good of a shot either. I'd suppose the gun is more accurate than the shooter (me). Maybe the poll should ask how good of a shot are you with your norc M305 or are we assuming people are shooting the same (with a fancy bench mount)?

 

[BigUglyMan]

I had one and it shot like balls. I sold it but kinda wish I had fooled with it more to try to wring out decent accuracy. Maybe have to buy another (or two).

Edit to add that my groups were shot off a heavy front rest and rear bag using a Bushnell 10x.

 

[miykael]

I wasn't trying to make it complicated but guess you got a point. Maybe people can just say how they shot their groups (i.e bench, sitting, standing, supported prone etc.). I was shooting using elbows on the bench with iron sights (when I did use the scope, didn't do any better). My groups ranged from 1-2 inch spread, which I thought was pretty good out of the box. I just started this so that people would know the Norinco's a great rifle and shoots pretty good - especially for the price. Seems like there's a lot of verbal misinformation out there about their products.

Well I was at the range on the weekend and I shot 3rds on 1.25 at 75yds on the bullseye with irons from the bench (but not with one of those fancy bench shooting setups. Now I'll admit I'm not that good of a shot either. I'd suppose the gun is more accurate than the shooter (me). Maybe the poll should ask how good of a shot are you with your norc M305 or are we assuming people are shooting the same (with a fancy bench mount)?

 

[giwolf]

I'm betting most of the people getting 1-2" are scoped. That would have been an interesting and I think important piece to add to this poll. Maybe it can be added.

 

[stang]

1-2" with the stock iron sights and 150gr FMJ over IMR4064.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Accuracy is very dependant on ammunition. On my best M14S, the group size over doubles at 100 yards with milsurp ammo, and some is worse than others. I can get 1.5" 5 shot groups at 100, but that is only with certain ammunition.

 

[NavyCuda]

My norc has really bad headspace and a cracked stock, yet it still groups around 2" with commercial ammo at 100m.

 

[300Spartans]

With the minimum mods, you can see the accuracy this rifle is capable of.

 

[caramel]

My M-305 Desert storm with my 155 gr Amax handloads gave me multiples sub moa groups mounted with a scope, this rifle is quite accurate for a 400.00 rifle... JP.

 

[miykael]

Awesome, thanks for the replies so far guys and thanks for including info like scope, iron sights, type of ammo etc. I would have added more criteria but didn't think about everything...again appreciate the feedback. Good to know what this inexpensive rifle can do.

 

[Rode]

...

 

[.223Rem]

I said 2-3, thats using factory ammo, athe back of an ATV for a rest, a 4 power scope and im not a very good shot lol.

 

[trebor2880]

Over 3" but under 4" with Win. grey box ammo.

 

[t-star]

you won't get ANYWHERE using surplus/factory loads- UNLESS YOU WANT 3-4 MOA AT 100 m, or want minute of moose or something- start with the loads that are published under zediker or m14 match loads, or 308 match loads in the weight range you prefer- do that load, less a grain or 2 to begin with, and work your way up-it took me better than 4 YEARS of experimenting to find the "sweet spot" for all of my m14s and that was off a bench and firing every saturday and sunday- that's primers,powder, and bullets- the only constant was the cases were the same in every rifle- that's roughly a year per rifle, and FIVE ROUND GROUPS, too, people- THREE round groups tell you NOTHING
by starting out with the match loads, you get a sSTARTING POINT with half the work done for you by professionals- kind of like having someone else remove the overburden on a glory hole and you harvesting the hole itself

 

[caramel]

An important point, is that if you load over 2800 fps you will lose accuracy and my experience is that this M-305 shoot best with 150-165 gr bullets, i download my 155 gr Amax to 2750-2800 and it love it... Cheers. JP.

 

[t-star]

i started off with the m118slr, but substituted the bullet for a 165 for hunting, and a 168 for match- that's a r-p case, cci 250m primer( not the nato one) 43.9to 44.0 grains of ww748, and a winchester or remmy corelocked-or a speer hot cor- the original calls for a 173 gran smk- that is supposed to give you 2550 fos out of a 24 inch barrel, but knock off a bit for the shorter barrel and add a bit for the lighter bullet- that's what i meant by"removing the overburden"

 

[caramel]

Had to change the oprod in mine, at the start i was shooting a lot of 180 gr and it might had an effect on the rod, but could been a weak one to, now i dont go over 168 gr and and it is fine... JP.

 

[t-star]

Had to change the oprod in mine, at the start i was shooting a lot of 180 gr and it might had an effect on the rod, but could been a weak one to, now i dont go over 168 gr and and it is fine... JP.

probably not- the "top limit" for the m14 platform is UNDER 180 grains- even at 175, the us army marksmanship team noticed 'CONSIDERABLE WEAR to the POINT OF REPLACEMENT" - it's well documented- they dropped back to 173s and went from there, before they switched to the m24- i would say your experience was s.o.p.(typical)