Opinions on a good scope for M14/M1A

[Randall.Colvin]

I'm looking at a Bushnell 6x18x50 Trophy series XLT scope to possibly mount to my M1A and I was just wondering what some of you folks use for long distance shooting. Also if any of you have some experience with Bushnell scope in general. I've heard mostly good things about them but I'm still curious.

Thank you to the two people that replied to my "Lighted Reticle" post. You helped me answer my question and I have since found they are legal in the State of Washington.

[addicted]

I've had 2 bushnells. One of them the bottom post of the reticle disconnected and fell down i the scope, and they other, the magnification ring locked up within a year of purchace.

We can debate scopes all day on here but we will be a lot more helpfull if you give us a price range to go along with the dimensions you have mentioned.

[addicted]

scratch that, I did buy a third one. but this one is thirty years old. One of the bushnell scope cheif with the command post. turn a dial and you can litterall change teh reticle shape. It was pretty cool and i got it off an old guy for 20 bucks last year. Sent it to my father in law for his birthday to put on a 10/22 he had aquired.

[Randall.Colvin]

This particular scope I found for $205.00 online. I'm willing to spend more but don't want to. I know the gun show is this weekend in Puyallup and I'll look their before I decide on the Bushnell. I want to stay under $300.00 but I know what good scopes cost.

[addicted]

you can get a reasonable scope for 300 bucks.

http://www.mizzoumuleguns.com/id55.html

[addicted]

is that kinda what your looking for for distance shooting?

[colockumelk]

IMHO  an M1A is far to beautiful and classy of a firearm to put a scope on.  With a little bit of training (youtube and internet) you can shoot a bucket at 600meters with that thing using the iron sights it comes with.  In any case all the M1A class long range competitions that I've seen are all open sight class only.  Although I could be wrong.  Its happened before just ask my wife. 

As for scopes I would avoid Bushnell like the plague.  If you must put a scope on that beautiful rifle than put a scope that will match it.  That gun is worth what easily 1K?  Spend the money and put a quality Leupold Tactical scope on it.  The same one our snipers use.  Especially if you plan on shooting long ranges you will need the features that the Tactical scope offers.  If you are looking to shoot 600-1000 meters a $300 scope isn't going to cut it.  Also you don't need 18 power to shoot accurately.  10x is more than addequate. 

Check these two scopes out.  These are the two I recommend.  When it comes to tactical longrange scopes Leupold has the corner on the market.  No one else comes close.  Its what all our snipers use. 

http://www.militarywarfighter.com/Leupold_51850_60025_51182_p/leupold-51850-60025-51182.htm

http://www.militarywarfighter.com/Leupold_56130_56140_p/leupold-56130-56140.htm

[pianoman9701]

Have you seen this one? I know nothing about it, but googled "scope for m14/m1.

http://www.combatoptical.com/catalog/M14-M1A-10-40x50-Rangefinder-Rifle-scope-combo-set-Free-sunshade-353.html

[Randall.Colvin]

"Have you seen this one? I know nothing about it, but googled "scope for m14/m1."

I've seen that add but it's' a Chinese made scope from what I've heard and I'm not sure I want go that cheap. I don't feel much recoil with a 150 grain round but I think the scope might and that's what I'm worried about.

"you can get a reasonable scope for 300 bucks."

I've read that the Mueller scopes are actually Chinese made as well as the Combat Arms scopes. I'm just not sure about buying a Chinese made scope. I bought a BEC (Chinese made) 3-12X44 lighted reticle scope a few years back to help a buddy out and I slapped it on my 10/22 and it works just fine and accurate as hell at long distance but a 10/22 has no recoil so maybe that's why it's lasted so long. I just don't trust the Chinese technical stuff to be able to take a pounding. But thanks for the input.

"IMHO  an M1A is far to beautiful and classy of a firearm to put a scope on."

I couldn't agree with you more but the fact is (my opinion) an M14/M1A with a scope is even more deadly and beautiful. I have been into guns all my life and finally at the age of 40 something I have my first M1A Loaded added to my collection. I have got to have a scope but after spending $1400 and change on the rifle, a $1000 plus scope just isn't feasible right now and I'm just looking for something to get by with until the funds are available again. The scopes you mention are great, no doubt about it, but just not yet.

[addicted]

if your scratching chinese made scopes off your list then quit looking at the bushnell 

[colockumelk]

Hey Randall I couldn't agree more.   A scoped weapon is a more accurate weapon.  No doubt about it.  I'd still go to the Leupold website and look at their tactical line of scopes.  They have some cheaper scopes that you could put on it.  Either way I wouldn't waste any money buying a cheap scope.  Because you'll just have to buy another scope down the road.  I'd just shoot it open sights for now until you can save up the money to buy a scope that matches that beautiful weapon. 

If you spend $300 on a cheap scope (compared to the weapon quality) then that is just $300 more you'll have have to save in order to one day buy the nice scope.   

[sebek556]

for the army the standard optic to put on a m14 for sdm/sniper purpose right now is the Leupold mark 4, i have used this set up and can tell you it is excellent

[addicted]

this would have been a good one for you. too bad it sold.
http://www.samplelist.com/Leupold-65-20x40-Vari-X-III-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-C-P2751.aspx

[colockumelk]

for the army the standard optic to put on a m14 for sdm/sniper purpose right now is the Leupold mark 4, i have used this set up and can tell you it is excellent

Yeah our guys seemed to really like them. The results were excellant.

[addicted]

for the army the standard optic to put on a m14 for sdm/sniper purpose right now is the Leupold mark 4, i have used this set up and can tell you it is excellent

Yeah our guys seemed to really like them. The results were excellant.

i see this set up around. appears to be working well. I thought one guy was gonna start throwing punches when i didnt agree with him that it was the best scope in the world.