That's a very arguable proposition, to say the least.
A tad subjective yes, but not really all that argueable.
I say that from a position of owning two of the three, (AR and Sig) and the experience of comparing match scores (DCRA Service Rifle matches 1-12) pitting all three against each other.
Yes the Sig and SL-8s can shoot, but for dollar to dollar, and as close as you can to apples to apples, the AR will out-shoot them.
Also, if you put a bypod on a floated AR, the bypod won't change the POI as it would with a Sig or the H&K.
Anyhow, back on topic:
If the M-14 platform could still shoot with the ARs they wouldn't need their own match at Camp Perry.
A 16" AR would run circles around a 16" M-14
I did some reading this weekend and apparently the socom 16 is pretty shotty in the accuracy department. Some guys are happy to get 5-6" groups out of it. To me thats just not right as you could build a shorty m14 that shoots better for about half the price.
the m1a socom's are ammo sensitive; the question wasn't which rifle shoots cheap ammo better, it was which rifle is the most accurate out of the box. Go put some Gold Medal ammo both .223 and 7.62 through the guns off a bench (as I have) and see which shoots better. When the "standard" AR has an accuracy at 4" MOA at 100m out of the factory for its Quality Control don't tell me it's more accurate, take it to 300m and you'll quickly see that the socom 16 is by far a superior rifle. Take both rifles to the 25 or 50 yard line and the ar will beat the m1a hands down for follow up.
my 10 cents. interest added = 12 cents now.
A $3k AR (assuming you spent it looking for accuracy) will outperform the Sig.
Even after changing out the barrel on my Sig to 1:7 to take advantage of theIf your playing the accuracy game past 300m you need a 1:8 or 1:7 (or faster) bullet to use the heavier bullets in 5.56mm. Many of the Sig's barrels are not good with the 73-77gr bullets used for this, due to their twist.
As far as freefloating goes -- for those recommending the Sig or Hk series -- the handguard needs to be floated too-- or else it will put pressure on the barrel - you cant say that the piston gives it freefloat ability.
Neither platform is floated.WHAT??? the Sig is a floating with an oprod. The SL8 is floating with an oprod. I have both, dollar for dollar all things being even, the POI changes slightly no matter what you do.
No, the POI changes due to the shooter, not the mechanical zero of the rifle.Just try shooting your AR off the mag then kneeling. POI will change, if you were a good enough shooter to get tight groups.
BLAH TO : the m-14 platform could still shoot they wouldn't need their own match at camp perry. If you are building a High power AR for 1000m it isn't dollar for dollars. The m14 camp perry match is shot without optics, take a look at the AR matches, it's hard to get a AR platform to shoot 1000m as accurately as a m1a does.