M14 Scope Mounting... headache!?!

PoFF

PoFF

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Well, I finally gathered all the components to scope my M14 (ARMS#18 and a Barska 6-24X44). Aside from breaking 2 punches while removing the stripper clip guide pin, the installation went pretty good. Tightened in the main screw (bolt), then the dovetail screw, then the front contact point, then mounted the scope with the included rings, which gave a nice scope height (eyepiece clears the rear sight by 2 milimeters). All was carefully tightened and locktited (blue) to avoid movement.

However, things didn't go that well on the range. Being a cold day, I chose my indoor range which have 50 yards shooting positions, and since I didn't boresight the scope, I put a 3' X 6' sheet of cartboard downrange. First shot, nothing on the target. I try to co-witness with iron sights, the shot seemed way too low, so I crank the elevation adjustment. Second shot, 1" from the bottom of the sheet. Long story made short, In order to get on the dot at 50 yards, I had to crank up the elevation to the maximum, so I'll never have enough adjustment to make 100, 200 or 300 yards shots...

Did I screw up something during the installation, or is this a common problem? Any help will be greatly appreciated... I never expected to have so many problems while investing twice the price of the rifle in optics and mounts.

Also, I used to make 1.25 to 1.75 inches grouping on a regular basis with irons and my reloaded ammunition, and I couldn't get better than 5 to 6 inches with the scope. Any tips on that matter?

Finally, sometimes a spent casings gets caught between the mount and the bolt and jam the follow up shot (and seriously dents casings, which is bad for a reloader). Any tips on maybe how to tweak the extractor/ejector to avoid this issue?

P.S. The scope has a 30mm tube, and the ammunition used was a proven load (with irons) using 150 grains FMJBT Hornady bullets.
 
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I see you did what you're supposed to, but pay a little more attn. to the front screw. Use a level to get you in the ballpark..... of what things are supposed to be looking .
It seems you have some tension in there, and that causes the receiver to not work together with the mount. unscrew the front and make it "just tight". Play with it a little.:dancingbanana:
 
Thanks for the heads up ElTorro, you just reminded me something I forgot to say, the front set screw touches the top of the handguard, not just kissing it, but seriously enough to bend the handguard a bit (actually, I had to remove the handguard to tighten the set screw, then pry the handguard under it in order to replace it correctly.

Also, when I installed the mount, the instructions said to loosen but not remove the set screw in order to play with the 'contact point screw', but I couldn't get the latter to move, so I did remove the set screw. Did I f*cked up something by doing this?


Big Mike : I think they're medium height rings
 
If you replace the locking screw with a headless set screw you won't have the handgaurd interference problem and it will still lock everything up. Make sure you have some tension on the screw pushing down on the front reciver ring, this stabilizes the mount, ditto for the screw holding down on the stripper guide. Tighten the back one first, lock it and then the front one. Should level you out. Have fun. If all else fails, ask Hungry!
 
Home depot would likely be the place you'd want to go, can't help you on the size of the screw -just take the screw with you? Alternately, you can dremel or file away a little of the handguard so that the existing screw can do its thing unimpeded (what I ended up doing).
It's been a while since I mounted one, but iirc the instructions talk about how to use the screw(s) to play with your elevation, before you start cranking on your scope dials.

Also, re: the 5-6" groups, maybe I just had a lemon, but the one Barska I ever owned was a complete POS.
 
PoFF said:
Any idea on where I could find such a screw? Or dimensions such as length, tap, etc...?
Click to expand...

Have to go to Brafasco or the like and they will have to order it in. They ordered for me, but had to give me a min order of 10. So I have plenty of spares!

PM me your mailing address/name and I'll mail you one, free of charge.
 
Cocked&Locked said:
If you replace the locking screw with a headless set screw you won't have the handgaurd interference problem and it will still lock everything up. Make sure you have some tension on the screw pushing down on the front reciver ring, this stabilizes the mount, ditto for the screw holding down on the stripper guide. Tighten the back one first, lock it and then the front one. Should level you out. Have fun. If all else fails, ask Hungry!
Click to expand...

that's pretty much it !
 
BC_Guy said:
Home depot would likely be the place you'd want to go, can't help you on the size of the screw -just take the screw with you? Alternately, you can dremel or file away a little of the handguard so that the existing screw can do its thing unimpeded (what I ended up doing).
It's been a while since I mounted one, but iirc the instructions talk about how to use the screw(s) to play with your elevation, before you start cranking on your scope dials.

Also, re: the 5-6" groups, maybe I just had a lemon, but the one Barska I ever owned was a complete POS.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I dremeled out a small notch on my handgaurd before Hungry mentioned that to me that you could replace the screw with a headless on and leave it alone. Another one for hindsight:redface:
 
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