M-14s Accuracy....

Potshot21

Potshot21

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Before you guys go crazy and start freakin out about the new guy not searching, I did do a search and turned up nothing! :D

I am new to this platform, bought a second hand 2007 Norc M-14s dressed in a Troy MCS stock. I have a Burris Short Mag 3-9 x 32 scope mounted on it.

So I take it out for the first time to see how it shoots, where its zeroed, etc, etc. Set up one target at 25 yards to see how far outta whack it is and get in on paper, and then set another target at 100 yards. Shooting Federal 150gr power shok, and as far as I know, besides the stock, only the op rod spring guide was changed to USGI.

Fired a three round group into the 25 yarder, not too shabby!:cool: Groups less than an inch and only a few clicks out. Adjust, load, bang, bang, bang, inch group dead center. WOW, this thing is going to be awesome!!:dancingbanana:

Load her up again, aim at the 100 yard target, and thats where things got a little shakey. After firing quite a few 3-round groups the tightest I got was lucky if it was 3 inches!!

So long story short, is this par for the course with most of these rifles? I hear people get some amazing shooters, some are horrible, but where should one expect to see a good average of these rifles accuracy wise?

I know, I know, everyone here has probably seen this question asked a thousand times, but I'm just curious if maybe something is wrong with it (ie. bent) or if this is just what a run of the mill Norc does.

Thanks for your input guys,

Potshot
 
I think you can do much better than that. I would say you should get 1.5" groups or better with quality factory ammo at 100 yards, even with the factory barrel. It can start to get wonky if you get it too hot. Make sure everything is tight. It should shoot a ragged hole at 25 yards.
 
handloads are KEY to these rifles; i get quarter sized 20 round groups at 100 yards off the bench, but i'm only using the standard stock
 
The 3 m14s i have owned started out as 3-4'' rifles, after a bit of tweaking they usally ends up as 2-3'' rifles, my current m14 is the 2'' rifle, with handloads of course, the czech surplus stuff shoots about 2.5'', i have found the following tweeks helps out a bit....
The op rod guide i usally peen the bearing surfaceon the barrel and roll pin channel, then i jb weld the op rod guide in place, seems somewhat bubba but works in holding the op rod guide in place...
Rerplace spring guide with the current aftermarket part availible...
then i fit the gas lock to the proper tightness by adding shims or recently i started facing the GL to fit correctly...
Then i peen the upper spline on the barrel where the gas assembly fits over...
Something i would really look into on your setup would be the stock/ferrule spacing and tension, i am unsure about the arrangement on the Troy stock but this area is critical for good accuracy....
If the rifle is new the trigger will probally work in 1 pound lighter over a couple thousand rounds aswell...
Good luck and keep us informed....
 
Take your M14s to one of Hungry's clinics. You will be amazed at what you learn, it will help tighten up your groups and you begin to understand why this platform (particularly in Norc/Poly form) $ for $ beats all others, hands down. :dancingbanana:
 
I've got two M14's.

One (2007), set up with standard accurizing job that most guys do, and scoped, consistently shoots 1" or less (shot lots of 5/8" - 3/4" groups) off the bench with handloads.

The other (2009), set up with a scout scope, but not accurized in any way (I did cut off the birdcage to make it handier, but left the barrel full length), consistently shoots about 1.75" with the same handloads. This is my newer rifle and I have not farted around with it at all in terms of trying to get more accuracy out of it. Maybe I will later, maybe I won't - consistent sub 2" groups with a scout setup rifle is not bad, whether it's an M14 or a bolt action.

Based on my experience, I would definitely be doing some tweaking with a rifle that shoots 3" groups. Honestly, I'd keep tweaking any M14 until it got consistently under 2", at least.
 
t-star said:
handloads are KEY to these rifles; i get quarter sized 20 round groups at 100 yards off the bench, but i'm only using the standard stock
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I'd say you have a keeper there. Even 3 shot, well spaced between shots group, from a Bench rest with factory barrel would be exceptional in my estimate.

And to the OP,......... when we say... "of the bench", we mean a two piece rest on a bench or shooting table, that minimizes shooter error when checking out a Rifles absolute potential with a particular load. I can squeeze them fairly tight on a "Bench rest" and can group relatively well in all shooting positions, but when trying to shoot of a one point uneven, unstable rest like a backpack, no way!
It fools me into thinking it's rock steady through to the hammer fall, but it's not. False sense of accuracy, for me anyways. Get a good bench rest set up.They are reasonble priced and dry fire from it till you are smooth as your trigger will allow on that tiny Bull, then try your groups again.
3" from a Battle Rifle @ 100yds with economy factory fodder. Well its ok, but it may be a 1.5 to 2 inch grouping Rifle with a good rest.

A good bench rest is a good investment in prevention of zeroing load development frustrations.:)
 
BongoBob said:
Please post your handload specs...I'd like to try it in my rifle...PM me if you'd prefer.
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just the standard load that zediker uses; rp case, cci large rifle magnum primer, 43.9-44 grains of ww748, 168 grain smks or 165 grain remmy bulk- basically, your m118 special long range load- just do a little research of m14 match loads and you'll see the groups that the rifle is capable of-as far as pictures go, you'll have to trust me-i'm not about to go out in 3 feet of mud and snow to satisfy your curiousity
i'm using a 1990 norinco vintage with a 4x12x40 scope, b- square angle mount , and a harris bipod- and it's "off the bench" not ' of the bench'
the REAL m14s group even better, with the trw being the best of the bunch
 
I forgot to mention its a shorty (slightly over 18.5") with a PWS brake on it. From what I've read around the forum, these shouldnt contribute to having groups that wide.

I would love to go to one of Hungry's clinics, but two weeks of vacay and shift work dont allow alot of flexibility to make the trip down south. Still trying to make sense of the videos (i'm a total newb to these rifles, but man do I love them!).

Another question I had was about the plastic buffer thingy sitting on the op-rod spring guide. Can that be detrimental to accuracy? With the brake and with all the weight recoil isnt an issue, so I'm contemplating removing it.

Thanks for everyone's help and input!
 
Just so you guys can see what I'm working with!

004.jpg
 
you should read all the "fun' we've had with those recoil buffers lately- should you remove it- yes, as SOON as you possibly can- it appears to be not a case of if it'll cause trouble, but when- it's not in the originals, and has no place on this planet- treat it like it'll give you warts or something
 
Ok, I'll have to figure out how to rip the stock apart and field strip this sucker, guess I had to figure it out someday! Maybe as a fitting send off I'll put it on a target and blow it to hell, mind ya if I keep shooting like I am, it may take me a couple boxes to do it!:D
 
Northman999 said:
I've got two M14's.

One (2007), set up with standard accurizing job that most guys do, and scoped, consistently shoots 1" or less (shot lots of 5/8" - 3/4" groups) off the bench with handloads.

The other (2009), set up with a scout scope, but not accurized in any way (I did cut off the birdcage to make it handier, but left the barrel full length), consistently shoots about 1.75" with the same handloads. This is my newer rifle and I have not farted around with it at all in terms of trying to get more accuracy out of it. Maybe I will later, maybe I won't - consistent sub 2" groups with a scout setup rifle is not bad, whether it's an M14 or a bolt action.

Based on my experience, I would definitely be doing some tweaking with a rifle that shoots 3" groups. Honestly, I'd keep tweaking any M14 until it got consistently under 2", at least.
Click to expand...

I think one of them belongs to me. You just don't know that yet. :D
 
A good average and repeatable group for a stock M14 will be 2"-4". Three shot internet groups will be less than half that.

GC
 
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