POTD: Springfield M1A at 9,000 Feet

@Spencerhut Wow that's damn interesting to hear. I've hemmed and hawed and pondered for years every damn option under the sun for my Scout Squad (including the JAE, Archangel, Blackfeather, and all kinds of dedicated scope mount options) ... and for various reasons - not least of which is the cost - I never really did anything except get a good sling. The one thing I may do in the future is get a (cheapish, maybe 3-9x) scope on a Basset mount, because I can take it right off in 30 seconds (along with a strap on cheek riser and bipod) and go back to irons. My hesitation with all of the other options was mostly expense, but also the weight, and the stability of the scope mount - and what real advantage would it really offer on a 'less than precision' rifle anyway. Mine aint no match grade kit for sure. I probably realistically get 2-3 MOA, at best. So now it just pairs up with a 1911 as a 'throwback, hard-hitter' combo. The only other thing I could see doing some day is replacing the forward scout mount with an Ultimak and slapping a co-witnessed micro-dot on it. I'd sure be curious as to what you're reasons for determining the JAE/Optic was a mistake (other than cost). Either way, good feedback. I almost went down that same 5k rabbit hole myself about 20 times by now. Peace

@LeverDude in PA When you are done it's ~14lbs. Bench only. The JAE stock is completely worthless if you ever want to see the irons again, and it's HEAVY. I tried four different scope mounts - all high end money - NOT ONE - stays put after ~100 rounds. Never ending re-zero. Did I mention it is HEAVY? The part of my brain that still works figured out I can get better accuracy and less weight from a .308 AR and never worry about the scope falling off. M1A is the best iron sight .308 ever made, don't mess with that.

@Spencerhut Thanks for the feedback man. Definitely appreciated and really helps solidify my decision to keep it irons only. Yeah, those were two things I was most afraid of from researching: Massive weight and a PITA with the scope mount maintaining zero (not to mention cost of course, as at that point, like you say, you can either just go AR-10, or even a SCAR, if you're serious about a .308 MBR). I've gotten pretty good with the irons by now and it's weight remains manageable. Only shortcoming is in low light.. but oh well, it's not really my go-to rifle anyway. And if I really had to, I can slap a QD red dot on the scout mount and use a strap on cheek pad riser. Man, it sure is a shame about that JAE, it just looks so damn cool. Oh well, I guess I'm over it now. Thanks again for sharing dude. You saved a brother there...

@LeverDude inPA Thanks! so excited they posted my pic! Love this blog! It's the Springfield scope mount platform and I did drill a hole down through the stock to hard mount the bipod.