I fully realize this may not be the best forum for this but I am not getting much traction across the street either. It seems most have moved beyond (not sure if for the better but thats another story) the M14 platform but I am a fan. I have a new M21 DMR Bula built rifle that has a receiver mounted pic rail. I have several bolt guns that get the nod for long range work but I think this rifle can fill a void within 200 yards with the advantage of being an auto feeder. I'm not sure I want a traditional scope but was thinking about either some sort of magnified DOT or an ACOG type scope. I'm thinking like 6x or their abouts. Rifle has a 10 twist 19.25" NM barrel so 168 FGMM and similar should do very well. I would appreciate any feedback on my thoughts or suggestions for an optic. I would like to keep the budget close to $1000. I have no experience with optics of this type or in this mag range.
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M14 DMR Optics Question
- Thread starter 03psd
- Start date
Do you care about length or weight? Being a M1A, I am guessing weight doesn't matter to you! lol
Since you have other long range rifles, do you feel you will want the extra magnification here or there? If you hunt around, the Bushnell DMR2 will pop up around that $1000 mark and gives you 3.5-21x in a relatively compact size. If you ever want to stretch the .308's legs, it will have the ability. If you are fine with lower mag, Vortex has a few good offerings in the 1-6x range.
The only reason I suggest a traditional scope anyways is with my Recce build, I tried a red dot, then went to a 1-4x.. I still found myself wanting more in some situations so I ended up with a NF 2.5-10x. For a light 3-gun build, the LPV is the way to go. For my precision oriented rifles, I like to have a finer point of aim.
Since you have other long range rifles, do you feel you will want the extra magnification here or there? If you hunt around, the Bushnell DMR2 will pop up around that $1000 mark and gives you 3.5-21x in a relatively compact size. If you ever want to stretch the .308's legs, it will have the ability. If you are fine with lower mag, Vortex has a few good offerings in the 1-6x range.
The only reason I suggest a traditional scope anyways is with my Recce build, I tried a red dot, then went to a 1-4x.. I still found myself wanting more in some situations so I ended up with a NF 2.5-10x. For a light 3-gun build, the LPV is the way to go. For my precision oriented rifles, I like to have a finer point of aim.
Weight is not a factor. My range for this gun is inside 200y so that's why I want to keep the magnification on the lower end. It's not a precision rifle.
I have kicked around doing a modern M25 with a Bula two section integral pic rail. For me, 2.5-10x24/32 NXS. Good eye box. Easy to shoot both eyes open at 2.5 and 10x will get you to 1000 (not with 168s 
Rugged, light and the 32mm is damn close to your budget if you catch one right used. The 32mm or a Leupold 3.5-10x40 M3 or M2 go on all my SPRs. (Loved my M3 variable for 15 years) I see the DMR along the same familial lines.
Rugged, light and the 32mm is damn close to your budget if you catch one right used. The 32mm or a Leupold 3.5-10x40 M3 or M2 go on all my SPRs. (Loved my M3 variable for 15 years) I see the DMR along the same familial lines.
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I use a Millett 1x6x24 on my SCAR 17S used for roughly the same purpose. Way under budget for you.
I run a Leupold Mk IV 3.5-10 M1 on my M14. Great scope for that rifle, can take a beating. I've been meaning to send it in to get the reticle changed to a TMR (it's a mildot) and the turrets changed to M5 but have been spending money on my bolt gun setups instead...
Just a suggestion, Bushnell 4.5-18x40 AR Drop Zone with the .308 reticle selection. Not pricey, designed for semi-auto, good magnification range, side focus, I'm looking at it for when I build my large frame AR.
Having once owned a scoped M1A firing with optics I suggest making sure the optic is rated for a semi-auto, and also make sure there's at least 1/4" of clearance around the objective bell. The mount needs to be sturdy. I repeat, sturdy.
Greg
Having once owned a scoped M1A firing with optics I suggest making sure the optic is rated for a semi-auto, and also make sure there's at least 1/4" of clearance around the objective bell. The mount needs to be sturdy. I repeat, sturdy.
Greg
Wow. $200. I am all for saving some dough but thats hard to believe it would hold up. The Bula has a pic rail that is mounted via holes in the top of forged receiver so it isnt going anywhere as opposed to most of the side bolted on mounts every other M1A rifle suffers with. The reviews look good. Figures all my mounts are either 30mm or 34mm and this one requires a 1" mount.
My AR rarely sees past 200...but I like to get a better look at ground squirrels out to 300 so more top end is nice. That is why I asked if you ever find yourself liking more magnification. My NF is literally the exact same length as the Burris 1-4x I had on before, so I gave up the 1-2.5x range and gained 4-10x. My vote is Vortex 1-6x. If it can't hold up, they will at least replace it for ya. lol
Hey you know better, so go ahead, spend all those extra bucks.
Next time you ask for help/advice I won't be replying because your userid will be on 'ignore'.
I forget the term, but they have a name for assholes who ask for help, then use the opportunity to demonstrate just how much more brilliant they are than the folks who are trying to respond.
Well, bye...
Greg
PS, I can see now that trying to be helpful on The 'Hide is getting to be a waste of time. I'll sure know better from now on.
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I had a SA M1A SOCOM 2 that wore a Vortex PST 1 -4 w/ illuminated reticle. The PST 1 -4 allowed me to back it down to 1X & bang away at close ranges or increase mag to 4X for longer distances. If you should happen to go this direction you'll come in way under your budget. My guess is w/ the optic, 1.26" Seekins rings & a Vortex throw lever you can expect to spend $700. The M1A is notoriously hard on optics so having the Vortex forever warranty is not a bad idea at all. I never had any issues w/ mine. I got rid of it because I came upon a very good deal for a SA custom bolt gun I couldn't resist.
You'll need tall rings like 1.26" rings to clear the rear-sight aperture.
You'll need tall rings like 1.26" rings to clear the rear-sight aperture.
For a little over $1K you can get a NF 1-4 with FC3G reticle. I run several and they have been great. There's some fisheye effect at 1x but most 1-X's I've used have some, not extreme though and none at higher magnification. The reticle is great and draws your eye right to the center every time and has a BDC holdover which is minute of man accurate. The illuminated dot is also daytime visible if that's something you care about and also has NV settings. They will definitely hold up to that heavy bolt battering back and forth too. It would be my top choice for a low magnification optic for that rifle in the $1K range. Personally however, my application for that rifle would be a bit different and I'd probably go for something with a bit more magnification in the 2.5/3.5-10 range.
Sorry, I overreacted. Shouldn't have called you an asshole.
The term I was looking for was 'askhole', not currently referring to present company...
After researching the reviews on Midway, I won't be buying that scope either; nowhere near enough elevation/windage adjustment, and a lot of negatives on performance. Disappointing, as my previous 3-12x40 Bushnell Drop Zone 223 BDC's are solid performers.
Greg
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Apology accepted. No worries. I think the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32mm will serve me well. I have 4 other Vortex optics including 3 other PSTs and a Gen 2 Razor. They are great products at a great price point and the lifetime warantee cant be beat. I also like that its FFP and Mrad like all my other optics so I will have consistncy. I was thinking ACOG or dot on this one just to be different. In hind sight, it was not a good idea. Thanks for the input.
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Many years back, I had an M1A that I glassbedded, and mounted a Leupold (6-24x40?) in a Springfield Armory Gen 2 scope mount. It was accurate around 1MOA at 300yd, prone/bipod with handloads. It was a really good performing M1A. The scope mount was always loosening up; and it was somewhat of a disappointment. Health issues, bills, and a general desire to get back to bolt guns led to its sale. I could truthfully say I miss it, but I don't miss that mount.
No matter, I still have my Garand, and always plan to.
More recently, I've gone back to semis, but they are AR platforms. Just fewer disappointments. Actually, no disappointments to date.
I'm looking to go with the larger format; chambered in .308 and/or .260. The Stag builders sets look promising. If Stag offered a 24' barrel assembly in .260, I'd buy it in an instant. I have the Stag Model 6 24" .223, and it's a true precision rifle.
I keep reading that the .260 can be difficult with longer bullets in a semi. I am counting on the SRA 140SMK's shorter overall length to be of some help with that. Honestly, I've been loading the .260 in bolt rifles since around 2001, and dealing with OAL by building moderately compressed loads. Folks seem to think there's a problem, but so far, not in my experience. I'm figuring the key problem indicator would be primer pocket expansion. I get some, but my policy is to load a case 5X and then replace the brass. I use Hornady 7-08 brass necked down, and the pockets are still tight enough to load the brass one more time as a hunting load and put it up into long term stock. From here on, those hunting loads will employ the 143 ELD-X.
Greg
No matter, I still have my Garand, and always plan to.
More recently, I've gone back to semis, but they are AR platforms. Just fewer disappointments. Actually, no disappointments to date.
I'm looking to go with the larger format; chambered in .308 and/or .260. The Stag builders sets look promising. If Stag offered a 24' barrel assembly in .260, I'd buy it in an instant. I have the Stag Model 6 24" .223, and it's a true precision rifle.
I keep reading that the .260 can be difficult with longer bullets in a semi. I am counting on the SRA 140SMK's shorter overall length to be of some help with that. Honestly, I've been loading the .260 in bolt rifles since around 2001, and dealing with OAL by building moderately compressed loads. Folks seem to think there's a problem, but so far, not in my experience. I'm figuring the key problem indicator would be primer pocket expansion. I get some, but my policy is to load a case 5X and then replace the brass. I use Hornady 7-08 brass necked down, and the pockets are still tight enough to load the brass one more time as a hunting load and put it up into long term stock. From here on, those hunting loads will employ the 143 ELD-X.
Greg
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