Bob3700 said:MT6XC,
"...Plus, the older guns were all build with USGI parts. The stuff out there today is mostly of commercial manufacture and often not up to specs..."
Cut my teeth and earned 28 points toward my Distinguished Riflemans badge with my M1A as well as President's 100. It is a good (but expensive) rifle that will teach you the importance of good solid positions when shooting XC.
Have fun.
Bob