noob with an M14

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Whiskey01

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So I just picked up an norc M14 a while ago. The first thing i do is start to tap into the wealth of information on this site. But the more i read the more I worry. Is this thing even safe to fire straight out of the box? I've taken it apart, cleaned it (looks like the store i got it from oiled it up for me so there wasn't much for me to do.. :) ), and got a box of 150 gr. 308 win.

But can it even shoot .308 even though it's stamped on the side? Or do i have to go out and replace the oprod, the oprod spring, and check headspace or get a USGI bolt before i can take it out for the first time?

Thanks:confused::confused:
 
Once the cosmoline is off, it should be good to go with .308.
I didn't have the headspace on mine checked yet, but I got it from marstar directly.
No problems so far.
 
308 150 grain cartridges, not 180 grain is recommended. Cheap Federal Power shok 150's shoot great in my guns. Tighten the gas plug, center the front sight, make sure the trigger mechanism works properly and the hammer doesn't follow the bolt (having held the trigger down), and get out and shoot the gun.
 
Take it to range and engoy it, she will shoot just fine with .308, 150gr to 170gr no problems. Anything over 180gr might be problematic, i.e. it's hard on gas system.

So far I have 120 rds true mine, Winchester and Federal in the 150gr and 165/168gr. I think I'm going to stick with the 168gr for now. Next range day going to try 165gr Hornady ammo.

Like every body in this forum would say just go out and have fun with her.

;)
 
The internet was created for the afraid to explain how everything is unsafe, and we are all going to hell in a handbasket.

Clean it up, and enjoy your m14 as is. Check that what you are calling oil is not cosmo, and just appears light on the outside though.

Staying at 168gr or below is probably a good idea. Only loading from the magazine is probably a good idea. Staying away from handloads until you understand why is probably a good idea. Buying 7.62x51 by the crate when you see it is probably a good idea. ;)

You will need more then one box!
 
what carbonrod said. i love the internet but alot of opinions are taken as gospel. or mis info from 10 years ago becomes urban myth.
 
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i thought it was a post about me :D
so far I have only shot the cheap federal 150's and it was pretty scatered, lets say 3 moa
Havent tried my reloads yet

For now I'm blaming the bipod, it seemed to bend under every shot!
Time to get a real rest
 
Clean it up and give 'er! These rifles are safe with factory ammo or proper reloads.

Stick to 150-168 grain bullets. 180s won't cause the rifle to kaboom, but they can bend the operating rod and cause excessive wear and tear.
 
Use Simple Green to clean the machine. Then put it back together. I use white lithium grease on the bolt and oprod and it works great. If you want a little better accuracy replace the op rod guide with a Marstar style round one. Shoot until you run out of money. Then learn to reload all those casings that you oh so carefully collected while shooting all that brand new factory ammo.
 
What everyone else said... Clean it off, grease bolt and op rod a bit, make sure the gas plug is hand tight, and you're pretty much good to go. They're perfectly good shooters out of the box.
 
Wow..unanimous on getting out and shooting. The answer I was looking for. Thanks all!

carbonrod said:
Clean it up, and enjoy your m14 as is. Check that what you are calling oil is not cosmo, and just appears light on the outside though.
Click to expand...

I was actually a little worried about that. I've never seen cosmo before but the stuff that's on the gun doesn't match the sticky/thick description i've found online. (just in case...what happens if all the cosmo isn't cleaned off?)

Also, did everyone get a manual with the norcs? I didn't happen to find one in my box. Is there a copy of it online somewhere? (i need to know the basics! What needs gun oil/how much...etc)
 
Clean it again with Simple Green to make sure you get all the cosmo out. That stuff is sneaky and you need to use a toothbrush to get it out of the trigger group and bolt.

I did receive a manual with my rifle but it really didn't matter that much to me.
 
Whiskey01 said:
Also, did everyone get a manual with the norcs? I didn't happen to find one in my box. Is there a copy of it online somewhere?
Click to expand...

The missing manual is a copy of the one found here. Listed at the bottom left of the center frame.

w w w.springfield-armory.com/armory.php
 
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Yeah you're more than likely fine to go with factory .308, as others have said just keep it under 180gr. I have not had my headspace checked but I've put about 400 rounds of factory .308 through my rifle with no trouble. As for shooting with cosmo still on... it's a essentially a rust shield, not a lubricant. If nothing else, make 100% sure it's out of your bolt/firing pin. Cosmo in the firing pin slot can make the pin stick possibly resulting in firing out of battery and other unpleasantness.

Your rifle may or may not have come with a little bottle of lube. I used the stuff myself for a while and it seemed to function well enough. After removing cosmo, you'll want to lube the bolt roller, the grooves inside the receiver, and the oprod groove on the outside of the receiver. Also make sure you get some lube where the bolt roller contacts the "hump" in the oprod. I also like like to put a bit of lube in the oprod guide.

Also remember the gas system is designed to run dry; do not lube the cylinder.
 
In the last couple of years I have put approx. 2000 reloads through my Norc M14 without any problems. I can't even recall a stoppage. I do regular maintenance on her though, so she likes me. They have all been 150gr FMJ-BT on IMR 4064 and WLR primers. No problems.

Cheers,

- Mac
 
Thanks for the help all.

How picky do I have to be with cleaning it?
Is it a general wipedown with a cloth to get the cosmo out or (figuratively) power washing the crap out of it so that it's all bone dry before I lube it?
 
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