Long Range

You have a 9mm with only one magazine? That needs to be remedied regardless of what else you do.

Good (I think) reloading article for the M14 http://www.zediker.com/downloads/14_loading.pdf

I noticed on the link the center of the scope/mount is 1.59" high. Iron sights are about 1.4" up (some sources say 1.5"). Either way, it would be to high for me. FYI

I had a trigger job done on mine and love it. It was done by Williams Trigger Specialists.

Get an American on sale and don't worry about it. Same (or similar) wonderful recoil pad too.

As mentioned Armalite makes a lower than the normal 1.4" to 1.5" mount. I think it is about 1.25" IIRC. NightForce makes one that has a little more forward offset(and a little more money) that is 1.125". Both are quick detach with a 1/2" wrench. Stashes in the buttstock.

You might consider a railed front gas block at the end of your barrel, and a bolt on non-folding front sight for when you want to go irons. Remove it when you want to go optics. More durable than a folding unit and still removable. Armalite and DPMS both sell one (and probably others). The Armalite link is below. http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=E20151&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=b5d84597-3666-4326-89c9-15fac1afdf18

Um, nope. Triggers, sights, and maybe buttstocks are interchangeable (always check before buying), but not most of the other parts. Remington/DPMS have Stoner SR25 style magazines, Armalite has Armalite magazines (M14 mags can be modified to fit), Bushmaster (no longer in production) and RRA has FN FAL magazines. Pick your platform and then pick your accessories. In regards to the question about M1As, yes they are reliable. Multiple posts by Kurt M and others love this rifle (me too). I just can't afford to shoot heavy metal. Good luck.

On a very cold day a while back I tried a thin glove when loading my Benelli M1S90 weak hand and proceeded to get it caught in the loading port (I don't suffer from Benelli thumb when gloveless). So no gloves for me loading. YMMV.

Back in the 1990s in California when HK still imported Benellis we came to the same conclusion: non-pistol grip stock meant hi-cap magazine extension ok, pistol grip stock meant factory +2 extension ok (it was then imported that way). Kurt M. and others don't prefer the pistol grip stock for multiple reasons. FYI. Good luck

After mounting float tube you can drill holes and install rails wherever you want. They just won't line up when you replace the barrel the next time (after how many thousands of rounds?). Small holes, some wouldn't mind at this price, others not so tolerant of this sort of thing.

It is non-indexing, and attaches directly to the upper (aluminum nut, very light). That is why it is fairly inexpensive. Mount first and then drill your holes for the bipod/sling swivels at your desired location if you want them. Or no bipod and use the front gas block/sight for the sling mount and don't drill anything. Good luck.

Hiperform sells a pre-epoxied carbon fiber float tube with a nut on the end to remove and replace as needed. They sell a wrench for it too for $10. http://hiperform.com/hand-guards.htm

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=205547704 Benelli M2 American $849 + shipping

Two more things to check. Measure the jump to the lands. You may be jamming your bullets into the lands. You also may need to try a small base sizing die. Your brass may be sticking near the case head. Hard to tell from your post. How hot are your loads? Reaming your chambers would be a bad idea. Your problem is most likely elsewhere. Good luck.