[soonerfan66]

Friend who picked a M1A awhile back and got a bore light stuck awhile back asked me if could help sight in his scope on it . He thought scope was bad cause the knob broke off trying to sight it in and Leupold fixed it and sent it back to him . He has less scope experience then me . Well I met him at the range he shoots this afternoon . (note to self don't agree to help friends late afternoon with heat index 106*F under a metal roof ) . I brought a big piece of paper and put it up just in case any issues . Strapped lead sled down and got scope centered at bullseye at maybe 20 yards . Nothing on paper after a few shots . Finally got something aiming bottom of paper , POI was top of paper . Tried to adjust scope but ran out of adjustments . Shoots good enough groups just a foot high at 20 yards . Again I don't mess with scopes much but what I have I started close like that then moved out once had decent group . We couldn't get on the 100 yard range to test anything if maybe with this rifle it's going to be like this close but would shoot at point of aim at 100 . The heat was getting both of us so after no room on 100 decided to call it a day . We shot pistols to kill time waiting on 100 yard . He also had got a Springfield Garrison 1911 45 stainless . Sweet to say least ! The scope is a Leopold VX-FREEDOM 3-9X40 , 1" tube , hunt-plex rectude . The mount is Sadlak aluminum M1A mount . I believe the rings are a low rise type .

 

[one3]

Maybe a small shim in the front, my help.

 

[ral357]

Hard to say but looks like the scope may be slightly higher in the rear. It is not uncommon for these types of mounts to not quite be squared up perfectly. Give Sadlak a call, their CS is supposed to be very good. They will help you sort it out.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

If you can't hit the "broad side of the barn" with open sights, a scope won't help you.
Not doing bug holes with mine BUT, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the targets when the "range is hot" call comes in.

Hits at top of paper at 20 yards? Same sight in just might be a different story out at 100 yards and I believe sight adjustments are at 100 yard clicks? I know I can pound the hell out of a steel gong at 100 yards. Never have "fine tuned" my ammo. Just start banging that gong till I empty the mag.
Did try shooting out at the public range. Gong had to be 400 yards. Shooting Buddy kept calling "hits" at that range.

My shooting buddy and I decided to shot as few rounds. He was at the next be bench. We both burned of 40 rounds each, 2 20 round mags.
Range Master headed our was thinking we went full auto.
Figured we were shooting too fast so we just slowed down a bit.

 

[jim brady]

Might not be the best solution - but try shims under the front scope mounting point. I remember hearing of these many moons ago - I'm not sure if you can even find them today. I once tried a scope on an M1A but didn't really like it. Back then it was a 'first generation' scope mount.

 

[txshooter31]

Definitely a mount issue. You can see in the pics that the scope is not mounted right.

 

[soonerfan66]

I remember hearing something about the height of the scope rings effecting some rifles getting sighted in but not sure what low rings vs taller ones differ or would do . That was my first thought . I didn't look at the mount very close while there and will let him know might recheck it to see maybe if it's possible it might be unlevel . I will check also on how his is mounted to see if it's possible to not do it right . Some I know they can only be put on one way . I am not sure if his is a clamp on type or tapped and secured by screws and also ask Sadlak about it .

 

[gdmoody]

I have never had a scope on any of the M1A's that I have owned, even though I am strongly considering one now. The way the front of that scope is canted up, it just doesn't look right. Is there a way to push the back of that mount down?

 

[soonerfan66]

Looking at one picture it looks almost the magnification knob is touching the rail ......Probably just the angle , Wish I had the rifle with me .

 

[jim brady]

I have never had a scope on any of the M1A's that I have owned, even though I am strongly considering one now. The way the front of that scope is canted up, it just doesn't look right. Is there a way to push the back of that mount down?

The mount on the side of the receiver is pretty simple, but it may be possible to not engage the scope mount base into the slots correctly. Hard for me to describe, but there are slots on the side of the receiver that form a "T" with a threaded hole for locking the scope base into.

First thing I'd suggest is to remove the scope mount base and visually inspect the grooves in the receiver to make sure that the raised portion of the scope mount base engages them completely and squarely. You want the mount to attach firmly - but don't strip the threads on the attaching screw or the drilled hole in the receiver.

 

[tango1niner]

I would start with removing the scope. Then remove the base and re-attach it loosely. Verify that the slots (spline) fit well. Since mount has already been installed look for burrs on mount. It has to fit the slots (splines) first. Look to see if charging slot attachment point is interfering with mount. Hard to tell from here but something doesn't look right.

This mount should have come with very clear and concise instructions. Being it is aluminum he may have damaged it if mounted improperly and/or overtightened. It's all about the slots (splines).

Does he have a cheek riser on the butt stock? It is like standard equipment with a scope on those rifles. We all know the importance of a good cheek weld...

 

[soonerfan66]

Yep I pulled the mount up and also watched the owner of it doing a install video and suggested to Tom about starting all over and watching the video . Can't remember if was the owner or somewhere else on this about being sure to tighten the scope from front to rear cause some did have issues with high hits if don't . If that don't hope may suggest the shimming . A few had to do that . Told Tom to be sure and check the slot and things for any burrs . He checked the adjustment knob I thought was close or rubbing the rail in a picture and he said looked to be 1/64" clearance .

 

[soonerfan66]

Talked and not text with Tom finally . I forgot he had someone put the mount on for him . I remember something about him asking if I had gunsmith torq wrenches few weeks back and that was why . I told him me and him could track this down ourselves in time but also he might call the gunsmith he had mount the mount for him (Tom put the scope rings and scope on himself ) and be sure to explain about running out of adjustment with him . Tom was ok with removing the scope and rings but is worried about the torq part with the mount . So will wait and hear what he finds out on Friday .

 

[jim brady]

Supposed to be under 65 INCH pounds. Google "Smith Enterprises"- they give detailed instructions.

 

[MPistone]

When you say that it shot high at 20 yards - how high? how much higher than where the crosshairs were pointed? I am not familiar with Sadlak mounts, but if it's a couple of inches at just 20 yards, you might want to confirm that they did not install a 20MOA (or similar) base.
I assume you two checked that the rear screw is not over tightened and the front screw is set correctly so as to not throw off the base's elevation. Additionally, that neither of the two screws in the base channel are interfere with the scope rings.

Edit - found this on Youtube, might be worth a look Install

 

[soonerfan66]

Thanks . Yes did watch that video . I put up about 40"x32" piece of paper and finally after aiming at very bottom edge of paper got hits at top edge of paper . I checked screws sorta .. Grabbed scope with my hand and gave it a wiggle . Seemed ok that way and also put the allen wrentch on the screws to see if felt snug and hadn't backed out .

 

[MPistone]

I put up about 40"x32" piece of paper and finally after aiming at very bottom edge of paper got hits at top edge of paper . I checked screws sorta ..

Ya, I don't think you can "shim" 32 inches of elevation at 20yards. I'm thinking that either the front of that base is off or more likely one of those scope rings is not seated in the base fully.

 

[soonerfan66]

Agree 32" is a bit much !!!! When ran out of adjustment it was maybe 10-12" still off . When I finally got hits on paper I thought to myself that's long way ! It's got to be not sitting right someway and pulling everything off and checking it all then putting back on would probably fix it but I don't have it here and it's not mine and he don't want to take the mount off himself cause his concerns on torquing them back down .

 

[one3]

When you get it figured out. Let us know what the problam was.

 

[Firedog]

I put a scope on my socom and I can still use the peeps if I pull off the cheek riser. Without the cheek riser there is no way I could shoot the rifle consistent accurately.