SADLAK on Poly M14 problems.

[Fultron]

Hey guys,
I kinda lurk around here a lot. I recently picked up a Polytech M14, and a Sadlak Aluminum mount from FabSports. I knew before I even bought the rifle that scoping this would not be a walk in the park.

The mount installed easily enough, I put a decent 3-9x40 Bushnell Trophy. that was previously mounted on a 700 SPS in .308. At 25 yards my groups were all over the place. At 50 yards I was often off the target altogether. I dropped the scope and went the the irons, roughly 3-6 inch groups at both 50 and 100 yards which is what I expect from a mostly stock Chicom and my lacking ability.

My problem, I believe, is that the key that fits in the stripper clip guides dovetail seems to be quite small, I can see light all around the thing even with it torqued down. I'm wondering if this would be enough play under recoil to throw my scope off that bad. Should I somehow shim this and try again?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[landcruiserguy]

Pics of the key would help us judge if it's a problem.

The quickest way to tell would be to shoot a few groups using the iron sights. M14's are very fussy on ammo so you might be seeing a ammo problem rather than a scope problem. Cheap ammo in mine gives the sort of groups you are talking about with no scope problems.

 

[Fultron]

Aye, well, I'm shooting 150 grain Winchester Super X, and the rifle groups just fine with irons. Its either the scope mount, or the scope itself that is giving out. I'll see if I cant get a couple of pictures of the key.

***Edit***
Alright, lets see if this works. You will have to excuse the poor quality, but you can get an idea how much space is on either side of the key. There is also an equal amount of space below the key that is not visible at this angle.

 

[powmia56]

I've never seen one as loose as you state so here's a question. Can you wiggle the scope? You might call Sadlak and ask them if they can send you another key as your's appears to be machined too small. (I probably wouldn't tell them that it might be the receiver at this point.)

 

[Fultron]

With the mount torqued down properly, even with a scope on, it seems rock solid to me, I can detect no wiggle whatsoever. Also, the mount mates to the left side of the receiver perfectly, no play or even light visible there. Seems odd that the dovetail would be so far out of spec.

 

[landcruiserguy]

To be honest I can't tell much form that pic. Are you able to put the macro mode on your camera or stand further away and zoom in.

Try another scope would be my suggestion.

 

[voere270]

FWIW I had a Bushnell scope go bad on me recently (it was an older scope). The reticle wire broke on it - I hadn't used it in some time and didn't notice it until I went to put it on a new rifle that I purchased and went to sight it in. The break was VERY difficult to detect but I had the same symptoms you're experiencing.

 

[Fultron]

Ok, Ive since removed and reinstalled the mount with blue loctite instead of the purple stuff. Ive got the mount set up so it is just slightly leaned back towards the sights which was recommended on another site for someone with a similar problem.

I'm gonna pick up some good Picatinny rings, the guy at the gunshop said weaver rings would be fine on the Picatinny mount, but Im now about 90% sure he was wrong, and that this was my problem. Perhaps they would be alright on another rifle but I doubt it on the M14 action.

We shall see how this works on the weekend. If its the same thing, I will look into a scope.

 

[WWIII]

Ok, Ive since removed and reinstalled the mount with blue loctite instead of the purple stuff. Ive got the mount set up so it is just slightly leaned back towards the sights which was recommended on another site for someone with a similar problem.

I'm gonna pick up some good Picatinny rings, the guy at the gunshop said weaver rings would be fine on the Picatinny mount, but Im now about 90% sure he was wrong, and that this was my problem. Perhaps they would be alright on another rifle but I doubt it on the M14 action.

We shall see how this works on the weekend. If its the same thing, I will look into a scope.

Its no problem to use weaver bases on a picatinny rail (unless the bases are of poor quality), however you must spread both rings bases firmly against each rib on the rail so they oppose each other (you must remove the forward and backward play of the ring bases in the slots by using this method). When they are clamped in position you can mount the scope in the rings.

 

[Fultron]

Ah. That is really obvious, I can't believe I didn't think of that. . I will give that a shot. My thanks for pointing that out, WWIII, you may have just saved me some cash.

Now, just gotta try to stop making all these M14 newbie mistakes.