February 15th, 2021
7minute read
In our age of modernity, wood-clad rifles are sometimes overlooked.
In many cases, the high-speed low-drag designs thatoriginated from the mind of Eugene Stonerhave become Americas rifle.
The platform would go on to be used in marksman units throughout the rest of the 20th century.
During his review of the M1A Loaded, the author spent time on the range learning the ins and outs of this Vortex scope and the Springfield rifle.
In fact, theM14 rifle is still used today.
The gun ships with a 10-round magazine, which is nice for bench shooting.
A 20-rounder also gives the gun that Vietnam-era vibe.
Based on the M14, the M1A Loaded is a semi-automatic rifle chambered for the powerful .308 Win cartridge.
Designed forCamp Perry-style shooting arenas, the M1A Loaded comes with fabulous iron sights.
windage adjustments, and one M.O.A.
elevation increments in the rear.
Capable accuracy is available when shooting the M1A Loaded rifle from the prone position. Here the author hits steel at 300 yards.
Basically, this results in a cleaner and finer sight picture for longer distances using iron sights.
Especially with longer distance shooting, the trigger is rather important.
Springfield has incorporated a predictable 412 lb.
The National Match barrel offers excellent accuracy potential while the walnut stock provides a solid shooting base.
two-stage trigger into the Loadeds features.
I found this trigger to be greatly consistent as well as having a tactile reset.
The medium weight is exceptional in providing match-accuracy as well as maneuvering the gun quickly.
With the Vortex Strike Eagle FFP 5-25×56 scope, this M1A Loaded had no problems ringing steel at 200 and 300 yards.
The only addition I would have enjoyed seeing on this rifle is absolutely personal preference.
Now, do I need a bayonet on a target rifle?
When shouldered, the M1A feels incredibly natural.
A quartet of loads was used during the review of the M1A Loaded. Of these, the Black Hills 152-gr. Dual Performance load, made the tightest groups at 100 yards.
Bringing this rifle into firing position is like hugging your girlfriend, only with more excitement.
The weak link seemed to be in the mounting system for the M1A.
(To learn how to mount a scope on the M1A, clickhere).
Testing the accuracy of a rifle requires good ammunition and shooter skill. The author managed very good groups with top-notch Black Hills ammunition.
After every range trip, I checked the mount to see if it had worked loose.
There were no weaknesses to report.
This scope came in MRAD flavor, a personal preference of mine.
Hunting and defensive work both require accuracy. The M1A Loaded proved it was up to the task in the author’s hands.
The Strike Eagle EBR-7C at first really intimidated me as I am a novice distance shooter.
I am able to do windage and elevation holdovers all from the reticle view without touching my turrets.
This made shot corrections a breeze, and was very helpful for more fast-paced shooting with the M1A.
After getting rounds on paper, the author headed out to ring steel.
Glass quality is fantastic, and the build quality is typical Vortex heft, weighing in at 30.4 oz.
My groupings with the M1A Loaded were sub-2 MOA at 100 yards.
An M1A that has been bedded and tuned further can tighten these up even more.
The most accurate ammunition for the M1A was the 152-gr.
Dual Performance, which clocked in close to 1.25 MOA group at 100 yards on a very hot day.
bullets shot 1.5 MOA very constantly.
However, I had very little luck with the 125-gr.
Hornady GMX, usually coming in just over 2 MOA.
After the static range, the M1A came to life when out in the field.
I would even categorize shooting this gun at steel as addictive.
The age of wood-stocked rifles may be dying, but the M1A isnt going down without a fight.
The M1A lives on as a symbol of American craftsmanship and pride.
