Recommendations for M1A SOCOM16 scope?

1869 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by billt3160, 11 d ago

mzh

Discussion Starter · Apr 1, 2022

I'm looking for either

1) a scout scope to mount on the forward rail

or

2) a scope that can be mounted on the optional Springfield rail above the receiver

Regarding 2) my concern is that the scope ends up being too high up, so a model that ends up as low as possible is preferred.

My price range is up to USD 500.- and I'm looking for something with 2-7 or 2-9 magnification. Looking forward to your recommendations!

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

OldJarhead

· #2 · Apr 15, 2022

Hello mzh,
I have a Burris 2x7 Scout Scope mounted with Burris Extreme low rings on my Scout Squad. The rear bell of the scope sits about 3/8" from the flat part of the receiver. Scope and rings were less than $500 from Optics Planet. I tried an ULTIMAK rail to replace the stock rail, but then the scope was actually touching the receiver. The addition of the ULTIMAK would put you over budget anyway. I'm satisfied with this set-up, so far. Hope this helps.

Scharfschuetze

· #3 · Apr 25, 2022

Just a few tips for scope use on the M1A:

A scout type scope mounted forward of the receiver will have a very narrow field of view. A scope of the same power mounted over the receiver will have a much wider field of view.

If you find that your mount places the scope too high for your personal taste, you can add a leather check piece to the stock to give you a firmer cheek weld and align your eye to the scope better. I used these on my M1A match rifles when I was developing long range loads for NM competition, and they are a useful addition when mounting a scope.

mzh

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 30, 2022

Scharfschuetze said:
Just a few tips for scope use on the M1A:

A scout type scope mounted forward of the receiver will have a very narrow field of view. A scope of the same power mounted over the receiver will have a much wider field of view.

If you find that your mount places the scope too high for your personal taste, you can add a leather check piece to the stock to give you a firmer cheek weld and align your eye to the scope better. I used these on my M1A match rifles when I was developing long range loads for NM competition, and they are a useful addition when mounting a scope.

Thanks for the input, what are possible applications of the forward rail in your opinion?

Scharfschuetze

· #5 · Apr 30, 2022

I've never really bonded with the scout scope concept. Having used the M21 in the service (M14NM with either the Redfield 3X9 or the Leatherwood 3X9) I still prefer having the scope over the receiver and the ocular lens closer to my eye. I guess it's just familiarity, but I can get on target much faster with its wider field of view. I've shot rifles set up as scout rifles, but they just feel out of balance and awkward to me.

mzh

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 30, 2022

Scharfschuetze said:
I've never really bonded with the scout scope concept. Having used the M21 in the service (M14NM with either the Redfield 3X9 or the Leatherwood 3X9) I still prefer having the scope over the receiver and the ocular lens closer to my eye. I guess it's just familiarity, but I can get on target much faster with its wider field of view. I've shot rifles set up as scout rifles, but they just feel out of balance and awkward to me.

appreciate your opinion, I'm taking it as an experiment and will see how much I like it. I'm trying to find a rifle configuration that helps me in the 200-300 m range

Scharfschuetze

· #7 · Apr 30, 2022

Sounds like a fun project. The M1A really does well out past 600 meters so you should hammer those 300 meter targets.

What load will you be using?

mzh

Discussion Starter · #8 · 11 mo ago (Edited)

Here's the final setup:

Vortex Crossfire II Scout 2-7x32. The belt is from a Swiss Carbine Model 31.

@Scharfschuetze I'm trying to unlock the gas valve. Do you know what key I need for that?

Wood Trigger Gun barrel Hardwood Air gun

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rstriscari

· #9 · 3 mo ago

mzh said:
Here's the final setup:

Vortex Crossfire II Scout 2-7x32. The belt is from a Swiss Carbine Model 31.

@Scharfschuetze I'm trying to unlock the gas valve. Do you know what key I need for that?

View attachment 3045

Looks good - what type of rings did you use? Have you zeroed it yet? Use a 3/8 inch socket for the gas valve.

billt3160

· #10 · 2 mo ago

This is my SOCOM 16 set up with a Hi-Lux 2-7X Scout Scope. I set it with Burris XTR Signature Rings with the plastic inserts. It's going to the range next week.

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Part-Time

· #11 · 2 mo ago

How do you like it, I have been considering a holographic sight from eotech or vortex.

billt3160

· #12 · 2 mo ago

Part-Time said:
How do you like it, I have been considering a holographic sight from eotech or vortex.

I like it. I finally got it out to the range last week, and both it and I shot well. Granted, this isn't, and never was a target rifle. But once I got it dialed in, it was printing 2-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards off a rest. This was with Winchester 7.62 X 51 MM ammunition.

I had a older box of Federal Premium .308, and it managed a few 3 shot groups under 2". To use the BDC Reticle requires the scope to be set to zero at 200 yards. So I set it to print as close as I could to around 2" high at 100 yards. That will put it as close as I'll ever require.

I had no problem ringing the steel plates at 300 yards, so I couldn't have been too far off in my "guesstimation". Overall I'm impressed with the glass on this scope for the price. It is very clear and bright. For the low $160.00 price, I doubt I could have done better.

Now I want to add a Schuster Adjustable Gas Plug, but I'm playing hell trying to find one in stock. Midway USA, Brownells, and Dillon Precision all catalog them, but are showing "Out Of Stock". So I put my E-Mail address on their list to be notified as soon as they get any in. They are supposed to help in fine tuning the gas system for a given load, and can help close up groups in the process.

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Sparty65

· #13 · 1 mo ago

What’s the eye relief on that bad boy?

billt3160

· #14 · 1 mo ago

Sparty65 said:
What’s the eye relief on that bad boy?

"Designed to give full view of the target when placed 8 to 14 inches ahead of the shooter’s eye...."

hi-luxoptics.com

Long Eye Relief

Popularized in the 1980s by gun writer Jeff Cooper, Scout Rifles have been around for decades - in a variety of short and fast handling bolt-action, semi-auto and even lever-action models. Designed to deliver a high rate of fire, scout rifles can be quickly reloaded and offer a dependable degree...

hi-luxoptics.com

Sars

· #15 · 11 d ago

billt3160 said:
I like it. I finally got it out to the range last week, and both it and I shot well. Granted, this isn't, and never was a target rifle. But once I got it dialed in, it was printing 2-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards off a rest. This was with Winchester 7.62 X 51 MM ammunition.

I had a older box of Federal Premium .308, and it managed a few 3 shot groups under 2". To use the BDC Reticle requires the scope to be set to zero at 200 yards. So I set it to print as close as I could to around 2" high at 100 yards. That will put it as close as I'll ever require.

I had no problem ringing the steel plates at 300 yards, so I couldn't have been too far off in my "guesstimation". Overall I'm impressed with the glass on this scope for the price. It is very clear and bright. For the low $160.00 price, I doubt I could have done better.

Now I want to add a Schuster Adjustable Gas Plug, but I'm playing hell trying to find one in stock. Midway USA, Brownells, and Dillon Precision all catalog them, but are showing "Out Of Stock". So I put my E-Mail address on their list to be notified as soon as they get any in. They are supposed to help in fine tuning the gas system for a given load, and can help close up groups in the process.

From the Schuster site--

Due to a family emergency we have had some delays in our production process. This product should be available to order July 2023

Reactions: 1

billt3160

· #16 · 11 d ago

Sars said:
From the Schuster site--

Due to a family emergency we have had some delays in our production process. This product should be available to order July 2023

It's good to know they're still around and kicking.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts