Hey guys,
For quite a while I have been toying with the idea of picking up a Norinco M14. Being ignorant initially of Norinco quality after reading and hearing of numerous issues, I decided to "bite the bullet" sort of speak and pick one up for myself - I am very happy I did. I have always wanted a "classic" M14 but the work of sourcing USGI stocks/parts etc... seemed to be more trouble then it was worth.
I have fired M14 style rifles in the past, one or two Springfields and I have looked at the Norcs in the gunshop etc... but am still fairly new to the M14 series of rifle. The stickies at the top of the forum are a great resource!
I picked up this particular rifle used off of the EE, with it came:
USGI walnut stock
USGI upper handguard
USGI oprod spring
USGI oprod spring guide
M1 sights
USGI EIS - cleaning kit/sling etc...
Rifle
After going over the rifle as best I could and tightening up the handguard with my quick fix of cardboard and cement I was ready to go. I have done nothing else to the rifle.
I did some reading and loaded up some .308 with varying powder charges. I have read that the M14 rifles are very picky in regards to powder weights and bullet selection. After reading the article at m14.ca I decided to use IMR4895 with Hornady 168 gr .308 HPBT bullets.
I worked up my load starting with 40gr of IMR4895 powder progressing up to 42.5gr of powder.
OAL was the same as Prvi factory stuff, able to fit/feed from the magazine without issues.
After pressing up my ammunition and checking my rifle it was time to hit the range!
All shooting was done off a rest at 50m in order to find the "sweet spot" of my rifle, aswell as the zero the rifle with as little chance of shooter error as possible. I opted to shoot at 50m instead of my usual 100m to reduce the risk of "lost" rounds as I was short on both time and ammo.
It was a beautiful day today, around 15 degrees with 0 wind.
After firing two quick factory rounds to find a rough zero. I brough the sight 3 clicks to the left and kept the elevation at 8 clicks up from the bottom. The M1 sights are a great advantage on this rifle, the fully adjustable and very positive clicks. The trigger pull is also fantastic, a really crisp 2 stage trigger finishes off the rifle nicely. Im not sure if the trigger has had any work done to it prior to my owning it.
I fired a series of groups on varying targets, each target being for a corresponding powder charge. The rifle fired perfectly with 0 issues to feed/extract. All casings were thrown about 3 feet to the right and a foot forward.
After working up the load, I have determined my optimum load!!!! 3 round grouping in one ragged hole. Granted its 50m but I am positive the rifle is a shooter!
last two rounds of that charge left in my box
Most groups with the 42gr charge sat in and around the .5-.75 inch mark at 50m. Hopefully this was stay true at the 100m with 1-1.25inch groups. Time will tell. I am a convert to the Norinco firearms I must say, any ignorance or snobbery towards these rifles should be quashed after shooting one! As Hungry says dont buy one, buy two
With my other Vietnam style retro rifle - The Colt AR
Thanks for reading! Any and all questions/comments appreciated!
For quite a while I have been toying with the idea of picking up a Norinco M14. Being ignorant initially of Norinco quality after reading and hearing of numerous issues, I decided to "bite the bullet" sort of speak and pick one up for myself - I am very happy I did. I have always wanted a "classic" M14 but the work of sourcing USGI stocks/parts etc... seemed to be more trouble then it was worth.
I have fired M14 style rifles in the past, one or two Springfields and I have looked at the Norcs in the gunshop etc... but am still fairly new to the M14 series of rifle. The stickies at the top of the forum are a great resource!
I picked up this particular rifle used off of the EE, with it came:
USGI walnut stock
USGI upper handguard
USGI oprod spring
USGI oprod spring guide
M1 sights
USGI EIS - cleaning kit/sling etc...
Rifle
After going over the rifle as best I could and tightening up the handguard with my quick fix of cardboard and cement I was ready to go. I have done nothing else to the rifle.
I did some reading and loaded up some .308 with varying powder charges. I have read that the M14 rifles are very picky in regards to powder weights and bullet selection. After reading the article at m14.ca I decided to use IMR4895 with Hornady 168 gr .308 HPBT bullets.
I worked up my load starting with 40gr of IMR4895 powder progressing up to 42.5gr of powder.
OAL was the same as Prvi factory stuff, able to fit/feed from the magazine without issues.
After pressing up my ammunition and checking my rifle it was time to hit the range!
All shooting was done off a rest at 50m in order to find the "sweet spot" of my rifle, aswell as the zero the rifle with as little chance of shooter error as possible. I opted to shoot at 50m instead of my usual 100m to reduce the risk of "lost" rounds as I was short on both time and ammo.
It was a beautiful day today, around 15 degrees with 0 wind.
After firing two quick factory rounds to find a rough zero. I brough the sight 3 clicks to the left and kept the elevation at 8 clicks up from the bottom. The M1 sights are a great advantage on this rifle, the fully adjustable and very positive clicks. The trigger pull is also fantastic, a really crisp 2 stage trigger finishes off the rifle nicely. Im not sure if the trigger has had any work done to it prior to my owning it.
I fired a series of groups on varying targets, each target being for a corresponding powder charge. The rifle fired perfectly with 0 issues to feed/extract. All casings were thrown about 3 feet to the right and a foot forward.
After working up the load, I have determined my optimum load!!!! 3 round grouping in one ragged hole. Granted its 50m but I am positive the rifle is a shooter!
last two rounds of that charge left in my box
Most groups with the 42gr charge sat in and around the .5-.75 inch mark at 50m. Hopefully this was stay true at the 100m with 1-1.25inch groups. Time will tell. I am a convert to the Norinco firearms I must say, any ignorance or snobbery towards these rifles should be quashed after shooting one! As Hungry says dont buy one, buy two
With my other Vietnam style retro rifle - The Colt AR
Thanks for reading! Any and all questions/comments appreciated!
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