What can I do to help my new M1A standard to shoot better than 4to5 inch groups

[Chris4366]

What can I do to get my new m1a to shoot better than 4to5 inch groups at 100 yards. I am using a good scope, federal match 168 ammo, I am new to these rifles and was told these rifles were supper accurate. Thanks for any help

Information

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[CINDERS]

What may be a thing to do is to have it checked over by a competent gunsmith familiar with these weapons, you do not explain fully how you are shooting is it benched off a rest, dead sled, prone with a sling, standing unsupported there may be an issue with the crown of the rifle pretty tall order for the chaps here to get you onto the right path have it checked out I mean the barrel may be shot out, bedding not up to par anyway these are just a few things for you to consider. Have you checked all the screws on the mounting bracket my friend has had scopes go south on him 3 times 1 for no reason the elevation turret just spun round and round. You could do the walk around a couple of times on a target to see if the scope is tracking correctly.
Walk around start at one point move using the same point of aim for each shot fire one shot dial in 6" Rt fire 6" down fire 6" left fire 6" up to your original start point will show if the scope is not the issue as it should print right on the first bullet hole you started with hope that helps you a bit.
Oh yes the 2 scopes that were destroyed on my friends rifle were Leupold's 1-4 power on his 460 Weatherby Mag

[vintage hunter]

I agree with Cinders that more info is needed. M1A's have a mind all their own and diagnosing accuracy issues can be a pain to sort out. You say you're getting 4-5'' 100yd groups, how many rounds each? AFAIK standard models have GI contour barrels that heat up fairly quick and if your firing strings of 10 or more that may well be with the accuracy expectations of the rifle. If it's 3 or 5 rounds each then there's likely a problem somewhere.

[fjruple]

If you are getting 4 to 5 inch groups with Federal 168gr match ammo at 100 yards there is definitely something wrong with your rifle and scope. I would send the gun to a gunsmith who specializes in M14/M1A match rifles and have him check out the gun. An ordinary M1A out of the box should shoot better than the groups you are getting. Whenever I have seen those groupings at 100 yards the problem was almost always a misaligned flash suppressor where the bullets are touching the sides of the flash suppressor.

Cheers

--fjruple

[browningautorifle]

Too, there's a huge list of "To do's" for accurizing these rifles. It's not a small or simple job and needs to be undertaken by someone familiar or it can turn out badly.

[Chris4366]

I am using a led sled I had the barrel checked out, put the scope on a different rifle it works good, the m1a rifle is bran new friend told me to unitize the gas system dose sound rite.THANK YOU

[vintage hunter]

First thing I'd do is shoot it with the iron sights and see how it does, this will eliminate any questions regarding the scope and mount. BTW, what mount are you using? Some are a total waste of $$.
If the problem still persists with irons I'd be looking at stock fit, lock up, draw tension and hand guard clearances first.

[Chris4366]

I think I found a problem with the trigger guard I can move it. What can I do to make it tighter.

[vintage hunter]

If your referring to the guard swinging open that's normal. That's how you break the rifle down into it's 3 main groups.
Lock up refers to the amount of clamping force the action/trigger group puts on the stock. When re-assembling the rifle you should begin to feel resistance when the TG is about half way closed.
Do you have a Springfield Armory M1A? Was there no information guide with it?

[Buntlineguy]

The trigger guard should not move freely. Make sure after inserting the trigger guard / hammer assembly you give the trigger guard a good rap with the palm of your hand. This should lock it into place. My M1-A shoots a very close group at 100 yd. I prefer 150 gn bullets, but that should not make any big difference.
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