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4th Gen SA scope mount added to a Loaded M1A (Have windage issues!!)

4K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  SgtMaj8708 
#1 ·
So I added this mount to my weapon along with a Nikon P-308 and headed to the range with my neighbor to get her sighted in. He was running my spotting scope while I sent a few Hornaday Match 168gr.'s down range. My shots were hitting 3ft. to the right of the target and I tried to adjust the windage adjusted but ran out of adjustment! My neighbor told me that my shots were hitting closer - about a foot and virtually in the same spot, however, I can't adjust any further.

When researching the installation of the mount, I could have sworn that I may have stumbled on a video or an article that mentions the rear screw and locknut with windage somewhere in it. I have been searching the net for some semblance of a clue regarding this issue, but alas I am coming up empty handed. I am not a gunsmith by no stretch of the imagination, but I am solid with my skills in mounting scopes, etc.

Any help from my M1A bretheren will be well received! Thanks in advance!

Semper Fi
 
#4 ·
Hello, Well. Welcome to the forum.
I'll try to help you out with this, if I can. It sounds like your scope mount alignment is adjusted/seated to far too the left, to point of aim of barrel. (Your chop sticks are not in line; they are crossed). The rear scope mount alignment is like front sight movement, when dealing with to point of impact. You have to adjust the scope mount to the right.
If your SAI mount is designed like the one I'm looking at, then you have to remove the rear mounting bolt, lossen the locknut and then turn the collar/sleeve clockwise; moving the mount outward at the rear. Thus, moving the front of the mount (right) to the center of barrel alignment.
Think of it as adjusting the toe-in and toe-out on your front tires. That is what the collar/sleeve and locknut along with the mounting bolt do on that scope mount system. It's to adjust your alignment.
Or, of course, you can call SAI and ask for an owners manual.
Don't forget to return your scope to zero/center after you adjust the camber of the mount.
I hope this works for you...
 
#5 ·
I'm seeing the same thing as boltaction. Basically you should adjust that rear screw/collar on the mount. That will be like a gross adjustment of your scope. Adjusting that screw will physically point your scope left or right.

- Pointing your scope right moves your POI left.
- Pointing your scope left moves your POI right.
 
#6 ·
To return your scope to mechanical zero turn the windage knob all the way in one direction until you feel resistance and then stop. Do not rotate anymore. Then turn the knob in other direction and count the clicks until you feel resistance again.

Say you counted 45 clicks so halve that and rotate other direction 22 clicks. Scope is centered mechanically. Now do elevation same way.

Put rifle in a gun vise and aim iron sights upon something easy to pick out with your irons. Farther than 200 yards away is best as aiming error is decreased with distance. Without moving rifle look through scope and adjust windage knob on mount to line up windage with the irons. Repeat as necessary to line up both scope and iron sights. Elevation has to be adjusted with scope turrets but usually is only a few MOA's at most.

This should get you on paper at whatever distance you did the alignment at. Of course final adjustment is at the range with the scope only. Don't forget the medium strength Loctite on all screws for the mount and after all the screws and threads have been cleaned thoroughly.
 
#7 ·
I recently installed a 4th Gen on my Loaded too. See here:

http://m14forum.com/users/dick-kahrs/albums/my-retro-m14-mount-scope/

Not being an expert, I followed the instructions precisely, particularly steps 19 through 25. Before screwing the mount to the receiver, make sure it engaging the vertical and horizontal slots exactly so there is no movement. Then proceed.

With regard to the rear screw, follow steps 26 through 29 precisely. Once that is done, the mount is where it is supposed to be, locked in place. The rear screw is not used to adjust windage. The mount is not flexible nor is meant to pivot on the front screw, it lays flat against the receiver.

Try it again with the Nikon. If you have the same problem, try another scope. If the problem persists, call Springfield. The possibility exists that the receiver is at fault as well as the mount.
 
#8 ·
100% agree.

Your mount is out of alignment with the rifle by .03"+/- a wee bit.

The Gen III mount that I have sits only halfway down the grooves in the receiver. I'm willing to bet the Gen IV is the same. If the lugs or grooves are only slightly off dimensionally from the front to back the mount will be out of alignment because it can seat deeper. After seating the mount, look closely between the mount and receiver to verify that it is seated properly. It may be too close to tell. I've read that some will set the mount to the rifle and give it a good blow with a rubber mallet to seat it tight. Others can tell you whether they know of that.

You should sight in the irons, then sight the scope to the same target before using ammo.
 
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