Training on the M-14 in the Navy was my first real rifle experience (mostly a revolver shooter before that). I found it very easy to shoot accurately at slow-to-moderate rates of fire. At a competition with U.K. forces, the speed with which the better teams could shoot their scoped SA80's completely blew us out of the water on the faster events (out to 300 metres, as well!). I assume the current U.S. M-4s would be similar. Still, it was a good rifle in its time, and may hang on as a Designated Marksman platform for awhile.