Without knowing the size of the steel at 100, 200, or 300 yards, the normality of the feat can’t be judged.
Any M1A, even a SuperMatch, that’s a true 1/2 MOA rifle is very rare.
Good catch Grizz.
The best 4 out of 5 100 yard group I obtained was .60" with hand loaded 168 Hornadys. I should have checked my records, since my brain was apparently thinking of another rifle. The Super Match is around a 1" rifle all day.
The steel was 12x26 except for 500 which was more like 18x26.
You buy the M1A/M14 to feel the nostalgia of wood and steel in your hands. If you actually want something that performs throw the M1A in the trash because its basically worthless as a precision rifle and buy a AR-10, SR-25 or SCAR heavy.
1 MOA or better is achievable out of a quality built M1A and is good enough as a precision semi-auto.