M14 Forum

RandyB45 · February 18th, 2012, 08:02 AM

Heaven help me, I've caught the bug….

Got my new Scout yesterday. I think that is the first new rifle I've owned.

So off to the range, where I fired two, swabbed, fired two, etc., until I had test fired all 10 mags to see if they would lock back. CMI mags, POF ammo. Once that was done, swabbed with Sweet's and back down to fire four, swab, etc. All the time adjusting sights when needed and checking groups. Futile, I suspect as it will be some time before it settles in but it was fun. It acts like it may be a shooter. I even found a 12 ga hull on the range and turned it into a cleaning rod guide. Now I at least look like an old M14 salt, instead of just old….

Some observations: A bit of oprod drag in the ferrule. Stock loosened up a bit with some forward/rearward movement now. Bolt lugs show even burnishing, so far. The rear sight has some lateral wiggling. This may account for some of the lateral dispersion, or at least that's my story.

I'm not going to change anything, yet, except possibly peen the rear sight so it quits wiggling. I did a lot of work on my Tanker (I know, I know) several years ago and turned it into quite the shooter, so I'm not totally lost on this.

Any other break in recommendations? Seems a bit of overkill for a rack grade short rifle, but it was a relaxing day nonetheless.

Thanks all. Loads of good info here.

dcobra823 · February 18th, 2012, 08:20 AM

IMHO Barrel break in isn't really necessary on an M1A with a standard Barrel! The only Barrels I ever worried about breaking in we're high dollar match Barrels. Have some fun get her nice and hot she can take it that's what it was made for a true battle Rifle!!

Good luck and enjoy the fun brother!!!

MemphisMachinists · February 18th, 2012, 08:46 AM

Pics or it didn't happen!

Does it have the barrel wrapping scope mount mount thru the handguard? If so they are notorious for bumping the OP rod. Some people file a little clearence into the mount. I just took it off. is this a new one or a new one to you? Just curious, I have an older scout myself and have thought about tuning it up some.
sounds like a lot of fun.

RandyB45 · February 18th, 2012, 08:53 AM

Brand spanking new. They even gave me the box.

d, I know a short battle rifle probably doesn't need break in, but what the hey. I certainly needed some slow fire and relaxation. I'll heat it up soon enough. Just maybe I'll luck into a real shooter.

MM, it has the factory barrel wrap mount. No sign of anything hitting it. Op rod guide is aligned. I forgot to see where the gas lock tightens up.

Fun times ahead.

GoingDeaf · February 18th, 2012, 09:27 AM

Doesn't matter if the barrel needs breaking in or not, it's just a good excuse to go out shooting. You had an enjoyable time at the range, getting to know your scout, that's what counts.

RandyB45 · February 26th, 2012, 07:06 AM

And now for another installment….

Back to the range on Friday with my son. After the last trip, I noticed that the receiver was only bearing on the left side of the stock. I discovered the op rod guide was bearing quite nicely in the stock channel as well as rub marks from the GC and oprod. I relieved the wood and smoothed up the rub marks on the ferrule. Groups shrank a bit and now I find the receiver is bearing down on the oprod track on the right side. More contact on the left side of the receiver as well. Still a bit of a gap at the right rear of the receiver heel. I also relieved the handguard a bit and tightened everything back down.

The rear sight aperture is goofy. It's oddly shaped. Orlando is sending me two Garand rears, so I should be good. Still some lateral movement, but I will peen the base a bit when I install the new rear.

I assume the base is cast, so should I anneal it? I'm also thinking of just upsetting the rear sight rails which, IIRC, is what I did on the Tank.

Bit by bit and fun, too. Great day of making up lost time with that son. My daughter gets back from the 'Stan in a month. More ballistic bonding to follow.

24kshooter · February 29th, 2012, 02:00 PM

I break in all my barrels also. My SCOUT likes Varget. I am waiting to try some of the Hodgdon CFE powder.

RandyB45 · February 29th, 2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24kshooter

I break in all my barrels also. My SCOUT likes Varget. I am waiting to try some of the Hodgdon CFE powder.

Thanks. I'm about to break out the Dillon again. Gun show this weekend so I'll see if I can score some at a reasonable price.

RandyB45 · May 18th, 2012, 01:18 PM

Well, here it is May and here's where the Mighty Scout Rifle (All Rise.) is.

From front to rear, count off:

Vortex flash hider and SEI front sight.
GI gas plug.
Shimmed to 1730 lock up.
Handguard relieved.
Front band ears bent to hold HG. Lower lip adjusted to add pressure to ferrule.
Ferrule and stock cut to the NM smiley shape. BTW, in an M14 stock now.
Easton 2117 arrow spring guide mod.
Receiver shimmed slightly to improve lock up and barrel tension.
GI extractor.
Garand rear sight swaged to remove slop.
GI trigger and hammer.

I can't shoot 2"@100 all day

but I can until just before lunch, if I start late. That's with Privi Partizan. Just for fun I pulled the bullets out of some Privi and loaded some 155 Palma bullets, now known as Appalachian Match.

Got 1.5" out of that, once, using a scope on a Bassett picatinny high mount.

This is fun.