Taking the M1A Loaded Precision Out to 500 Yards

The classic American service rifle, the M14 in 7.62x51mm NATO, was the replacement for the M1 Garand, adding (among other things) a 20-round detachable box magazine and select-fire including fully automatic. It was the primary service rifle for the U.S. until Vietnam where it was replace by the smaller, lighter, and easier to handle intermediate cartridge 5.56x45mm NATO in the M16.

From a solid benchrest set-up, the writer prepares to send 7.62x51mm NATO rounds through his M1A toward distant targets at the 500-yard line.

In 1974, the Geneseo-based Springfield Armory released the M1A semi-automatic rifle for the civilian and law enforcement markets in the U.S. The M1A is a civilian-legal, semi-auto-only variant of the M14 rifle. It offers long-range, heavy-hitting performance.

My Case

I wanted a M1A as long as I could remember, and my first was the M1A Loaded 20+ years ago. I added in the Archangel stock, making it basically the same as the M1A Loaded Precision that Springfield Armory would later offer. It was exactly what I expected, and a fun factor of 10 to shoot. Now, 20 years later and owning many different fully powered .308 rifles, I wanted to just see how my old rifle stacked up.

A close view shows the author's Springfield Armory M1A rifle fitted with a tan Desert FDE Archangel stock. The Archangel is a fully adjustable polymer stock that replaced the original synthetic furniture on his M1A Loaded. Adding it years ago turned the rifle into something close to the M1A Loaded Precision that Springfield Armory later offered. An adjustable length of pull and cheek riser help the shooter build a consistent position, which matters when reaching out to 500 yards. A stable, repeatable cheek weld keeps the eye lined up behind the optic for long-range shots. This semi-automatic .308 still carries the National Match barrel that drives its accuracy at distance. — The author’s M1A wears a Desert FDE Archangel stock, the adjustable chassis that helped turn his original Loaded model into something close to today’s M1A Loaded Precision.

Is this old gal still holding her own in todays high-tec world? Let’s see what I can do with a variety of modern match grade ammo with an old Nikon P-308 optic. I also want to see how I can do with good old, military-grade FMJ ball ammo.

Take a quick look at the specifications of my M1A Loaded Precision:

22” NM Medium Weight Barrel with a 1:11 six-grove carbon steel barrel (maintaining great ballistics and accuracy)
11 lbs., 4 oz. with synthetic stock
Desert FDE Archangel Fully Adjustable Stock
Two-Stage NM Trigger (outstanding trigger)
National Match Front Sight 0.062” blade (improved accuracy)
National Match Rear Sight Non-Hooded .0520 Aperture, ½ MOA Adj.
Flash Suppressor
5, 10, or 20 rd Magazine
Nikon P-308 4-12x40mm BDC 800 (no longer made)

The photo features the author's M1A rifle resting with its Desert FDE Archangel adjustable stock in full view. This stock gives the semi-automatic 7.62x51mm NATO rifle a modern, customizable fit without changing its service-rifle heart. Shooters can tune the length of pull and comb height to match their build and their optic. That adjustability translates directly into steadier holds when the rifle is pushed out to the 500-yard line. The writer has used this exact stock for two decades and considers it a genuine upgrade over factory furniture. Paired with the National Match barrel and two-stage trigger, the Archangel rounds out a capable long-range package. — Fully adjustable for length of pull and cheekweld height, the Archangel stock gives this 7.62x51mm NATO rifle the steady, repeatable fit that long-range work demands.

This optic was perfect 20 years ago for the Loaded M1A:

Variable power for close to midrange
Generous 9.2 to 12” eye relief
Light weight at only 17.5 oz
¼ MOA Adjustments
High-grade glass and multicoating’s to increase light transmission
Shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof (Nitrogen filled)
Easy to use BDC out to 800 yards

20 years ago, when I purchased my M1A Loaded, it came with a light weight synthetic stock. The Archangel stock had just hit the market and was really big with the M1A. Tt was not offered from the factory from Springfield as it is now. I will say, I have this stock for my rifle 20 years now and I love it. It’s highly recommended.

Range Time

I used a variety of ammo to test accuracy at 100 yards, see what kind of groups she could get and then test a few at 500 yards and also have some fun on the steel. I wanted a good variety from hunting rounds to match grade target and I also wanted to test the cheapest ammo I had including some really old NATO rounds — ones I am guessing as old as I am, 40-50 years old.

The image shows the view through a rifle scope, with the crosshairs centered on a small target roughly 500 yards downrange. This is the sight picture from the Nikon P-308 optic mounted on the author's M1A Loaded Precision. The scope's bullet drop compensating reticle gives the shooter holdover references for long-range shots without dialing the turrets. At 500 yards, a 7.62x51mm NATO round drops significantly, so a known hold or BDC mark is essential. Variable magnification brings distant steel close enough to aim with confidence. Good glass, generous eye relief, and a steady position all work together to make a hit at this range possible. — Looking through the Nikon P-308, the target sits small but clear at 500 yards, framed by the optic’s bullet drop compensating reticle.

Here is what I chose to use:

NATO military surplus from South Korea
PPU M80 FMJ Ball
TulAmo 150 gr FMJ
AAC 168-gr. BTHP Match
AAC 168-gr. SMK
Hornady Superformance Match 168-gr. A-Max
Hornady Black 168-gr. A-Max
Federal Premium Gold Medal 168-gr. OTM
AAC 175-gr. OTM
AAC 178-gr. BTHP Match

Every gun/barrel is different and definitely has its preference for bullet weight and round. One gun will love a particular ammo, and the next hates it. I have found sometimes even the same type of gun will prefer a different round, thus you have to find what it likes best. Often, it will surprise you.

The photo displays a collection of various ammunition boxes and loose cartridges the author used to test his M1A. The lineup includes military surplus NATO ball, PPU M80 FMJ, steel-cased Tula, and several 168-grain match loads from Hornady, Federal, and AAC. Testing this many different cartridges helps reveal which load a given rifle prefers for accuracy. Bullet weights range from 150 grains up to 178 grains across these 7.62x51mm NATO and .308 Winchester offerings. Match-grade hollow points generally produced the tightest groups, while inexpensive ball ammo proved reliable and surprisingly capable. Selecting the right load is a key step before stretching the M1A out to 500 yards. — The author tested 10 different loads through the M1A, from cheap steel-cased Tula to premium Hornady and Federal match ammunition.

I shot five shot groups from a cold bore and waited 10 minutes between groups to let the barrel cool back down to outdoor temps. The medium weight barrel heats up and cools down much quicker than the heavy barrels used in most long-range precession rifles. Remember, this was originally designed to be a service rifle, and weight is critical when you carry it all day.

The Hornady Superformance 168-gr. was hands-down the best group, with all but the first shot touching and an overall MOA group. It took 10 different types of ammo to find her favorite, but an MOA group like this is pretty darn good in my eyes.

The PPU M80 Ball was another one that didn’t surprise me, I have found that round to be very accurate, and I have a lot of it purchasing a large quantity years ago for pennies on the dollar, like $0.30 rd. That’s right, thus why I purchased a lot.

Reaching Out

It was time to move out to 500 yards and see what I could get for groups. Unfortunately, I was on my last box of the Hornady Superformance and, because this was a service-style rifle, I wanted to start off with the PPU M80 as it seemed fitting. After playing on the steel, I came back to the M80 to test the zero and was really impressed.

A shooter rests his Springfield Armory M1A on a bench and looks through the scope toward targets positioned 500 yards downrange. This distance is where a service-style .308 like this one earns its reputation as a heavy-hitting, long-range rifle. Built on the M14 lineage, the semi-automatic M1A delivers 7.62x51mm NATO with the kind of reach that benefits from match-grade loads. The medium-weight barrel heats and cools faster than a bull barrel, which suits its origins as a carry-all-day service arm. Behind the Nikon P-308 glass, the author uses the bullet drop compensator to dial holds for distance shooting. Consistent groups at this range show that careful ammunition selection and a steady position still win the day. — Behind the Nikon P-308 glass and the FDE Archangel stock, the author readies the M1A for its longest test of the day.

I also had a lot of Hornady Black on hand and did another group with that after the barrel cooled down. I shot almost the exact same group turned on its side and was able to cover it with my hand (minus the first shot).

The ammo that I had the most of was the Tula. Because this is Russian steel-cased, bi-metal ammo and considered the cheapest of the cheap, I had to see what I could do with it shooting the steel. I have shot this before in this gun and never had one single jam, failure to feed or extract and got surprisingly respectable accuracy. The final test in my opinion of a rifle like this is, will it eat up and spit out anything you put in it with respectable accuracy? It did.

The photo is taken from beside the target, looking back across an open field toward a distant house where the author was shooting. The shooting position sits 500 yards away, a distance of about 5 football fields laid end to end. This perspective shows just how far the M1A had to send each 7.62x51mm NATO round to reach the steel. Long-range shooting at this distance requires accounting for significant bullet drop and a steady hold. A semi-automatic .308 capable of hitting at 500 yards proves the platform still performs at distance. Standing at the target end makes the reach of this classic service rifle easy to appreciate. — From the target’s perspective, the author’s shooting position is barely visible 500 yards away, a span of roughly five football fields.

I started off at 400 yards and was able to put all five shots on the steel IDPA in 9.8 seconds. I probably could have gone faster, but I have to wait for the DING before sending the next round so you can hear it. Remember, this was not zeroed for the Tula, it was zeroed for the PPU — making this even better. At 500 yards, I was able to get 3/5 shooting fast. Not bad. I then moved to my 6” gong at 200 yards using the BDC and nailed it, then the same at 300 yards.

Bottom Line

If you have never shot the M1A, there is something about it that is just fun. Frankly, it’s much more fun doing what I did with it than doing the same with a precision long range rifle. This rifle did not disappoint and, considering we are in the technological age of precision rifles, classic platform is still holding its own.

Editor’s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the “Go To Forum Thread” link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!