M14 Forum

jameydan

This past weekend (24 June), we held our first Montana State M1A Championship. We modeled this match after the Springfield M1A match at Camp Perry. During the last off-season, I sent out a questionnaire asking for input on the various aspects of the matches we run in Missoula, MT. This included an opportunity to suggest other types of matches. One that seemed to generate a fair amount of comments was holding a M1A match. We have a number of regular shooters in our state competing with M1A’s as well as frequent MT ARNG shooters using their M14’s.

Just Prior to the match, I approached our two match sponsors, 44mag.com and Sadlak Industries and asked them for support. Sadlak was suggested by my M14 gunsmith, who has equipped my rifle with their products in the past. I also have purchased Checkmate M14 magazines at 44mag, and received great service. They have also hosted group buys for this forum in the past. Well, both Sadlak and 44mag.com were eager to help and provide some goodies for match participants. 44mag.com donated enough magazines for two people, and Sadlak stepped up with cleaning and tool kits, as well as some NM parts. Sadlak provided enough products to award to six competitors. We also had 3 boxes of match ammo to award. Many thanks go out to both 44mag.com and Sadlak Industries!

Shooting got underway on Friday afternoon, under bright skies and little wind. All shooting was held on the 300-yard line, and we started in reverse order of our usual high power matches. We started with prone slow, and allowed 5 sighters. We had the relay go through the entire match from prone slow, prone rapid fire, sitting rapid fire to standing. We differed from the Camp Perry match (I believe) by allowing 2 sighting shots at each match after prone slow fire. We were certainly glad to have those extra sighters for off hand, which is certainly hard enough at 200 yards, much less 300 yards!

We had a total of fourteen shooters competing and we had as many M1A’s and M14’s on the firing line since the All National Guard team showed up with their M14’s for a match last year. We separated the shooters into irons and optics classes. The high score in the iron sight class was a 472-9X, and the optics class saw a high score of 432 –1X. Interestingly, the high score in the optics class was fired with a Scout model using a red dot sight. Prizes were awarded to a total of nine shooters, in addition to the cash awards normally received. Again, I cannot thank enough Sadlak and 44mag.com for their generous support with their first rate products. At the awards ceremony, it was like the look of Christmas morning for some of the prize winners!

The M1A match was followed by two more days of shooting; our state high power XTC championship and then a 2 x1000 yd match on the last day. Of note is a M1A came in 3rd overall in the long-range match. We had a total of 33 shooters over the weekend.

Based on the response I received from the participants and from those indicating they want to come next year, I will hold another M1A match in 2012. For more info contact me at jameydan[at]gmail.com or see “2011 high power matches” on our website www.mtrpa.org The Missoula range is a great place to camp, while still near the city, and it is a fantastic place to shoot. I hope to see you here next year!

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(view from 300yd line during another match - yes that is an AR )

Metonymy

Absolutely fantastic. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

I'd love to see some of the 1000 yard result targets if you have any photos. I'm still amazed at what these rifles can do.

Daves762

I am trying to move to MT and once I get the call for employment I'm on the way. I cannot wait to shoot in your comp.....please keep the schedule posted and Ill start practicing for next year. Thanks!!

RightHand

Glad we could participate even if at a distance. Sounds like a great competition.

jameydan

I am not sure I am answering your question right, but below are a couple pictures from 800yds - I could not find any from the 1000yd line. They demonstrate what the target looks like. It is a relatively easy target at 800yds, as it is the same target as used at 900yds and 1000yds. It is my belief, and experience, that 800yds is actually easier than 600yds, with regards to the NRA matches. I tell new shooters 900 yds is more like 600yds in terms of difficulty. 1000yds, now that is where things get hard, much harder, when you are shooting a service rifle. Match rifles have you beat in terms of ballistics and sighting systems, and they are often 1/2 MOA rifles as opposed to our 1 MOA service rifles.

At 800 yds I use a center of mass sight picture and the target is pretty easy to see. At 1000yds, I alternate between center of mass, flat tire and 6:00 sight pictures depending on my eyes, and the light that day. The aiming black is 44" across, with a 20 inch ten ring, but it looks like a very little, itty bitty, fuzzy circle or half circle on my front sight post.

If you do not have the best of eyes, put a scope on the rifle and fire in the Any/Any rifle division.

Now if you were asking about scores, in this LR match, I shot my M1A to 3rd place with a score of 376/400 (94%). The top score was by one of the best shooters in the west. He shot a 387/400 with a iron sighted match rifle. My personal best is 193/200.

So, yes you can shoot a service rifle at 1000yds, but it better be a true 1 MOA rifle (or better) for 20 shots. If you get the chance cut your teeth at 800yds, it is a lot more forgiving.

And, while I have no problems with the M16 platform, I feel it is very hard pressed to keep up with the M14's and the heavy bullets at 1000yds.


First picture is at the Wendover, UT 800 yd line (a very neat range on the old AAF base)
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Missoula's Deep Creek Range - 800yd line
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jameydan

Dee,
It was great to have you guys support us, but it would be even better, if you could come out for a match sometime. Make it a shooting and sight-seeing vacation - you might be able to pass it off as work :) Montana has a lot of matches, and a lot of great places to visit!

Thanks again!!!

Bamban

Jaymedan,

Excellent shooting.

I second with what you said about shooting LR, I also find it easier to clean 800 than 600 because of the generous scorings ringsat that distance.

May I guess you are still shooting the 185 Berger BTHPLR pills? You are right, no 80s from the little gun can keep up with 185s in the wind.

jameydan

Thank you.

185's all the way! As you know, they shoot well, and significantly beat the wind compared to the 175's. I use them from 600yds and out.

Question for you: What powder do you use?

I have been using enough I4064 to get the 185's going 2525-2550. I have thought about trying one of the VV powders and seeing if I can get even better consistency. I switched to Wolf LR primers and saw my SD/ES numbers improve.

Best,

JW

Robert84010

Jamey,
Is the MT. M1A match going to happen in 2012??

Robert

jameydan

Robert,

See this post: 2012 Montana M1A State Championship and Service Rifle Tournament

JW

Bamban

Sorry I missed this post.

I use I4895. 42.5 on fireformed LC LR 02 and 42.2 on arsenal primed LC 08 machine gun pulled brass.

Nez

Robert84010

Thanks Jamey. I didn't see it on the earlier schedule so I thought I would ask. I'm glad to see it's going to be a regular match.

See you in June, with my M1A.

Robert

jameydan

Robert,

Don, who that compiles a several state match schedule, has had some trouble getting the web people to make an easy link for the MT/ID/WYO/UT schedule. It is located in a different spot, and here is a linky to it: 2012 schedule

It is still evolving as we wait for some other locations to send us their schedules.

See you there!

JW