My advice is going to run in a different direction than most here.
Its NOT a match rifle. Don't expect it to be, and I think its a waste of money trying to make it into one.
Forget all the advanced loading tips to get the nth degree of accuracy, and enjoy it for what it is.
I've been enjoying my "rack grade" M1A since he mid 80s, shooting only handloads duplicating GI ball, with no special tips, tricks or techniques. I'm not a match shooter, don't compete so all the "stuff" you're being told you "need" to do to increase accuracy if of little or no interest to me, though only you can decide for yourself what is, and isn't worth doing.
I load my .308s with the a Lyman die set I bought in the early 70s. Standard dies. I full length resize my brass and don't exceed max spec length. Other than separating brass by headstamp, that's all I do.
My rifle fits me well, and shoots better than I do, these days. With the shorter "scout" length barrel, you're going to get less than the standard 22" tube, but a good semi shooting .300 Savage speeds is nothing to sneer at.
Ball C2, W748, and any but the slowest IMR powder all work well. Shoot the GI 150/147s at approx 2750fps +/- (22" barrel speed) this is the GI load.
If you want to shoot the heavier slugs, the gun will manage that well enough with suitable loads.
I will repeat the warning DO NOT,
DO NOT put a single round in the chamber and let the bolt slam shut on it!!
The M14/M1A has a floating firing pin, and it DOES bounce off the primer when the bolt closes. The extra speed of the bolt closing on a chambered round could fire it!
some folks will tell you to use the CCI 41 primer (I think that the number) that primer is milspec cup thickness, and its not a bad idea if you can get them. I've been shooting my loads for decades using CCI 200s and never had a problem though there is a visible dimple in the primer if you eject an unfired round, none has ever gone off. Your gun, your call.
Expect the gun to perform well, for what it is, and don't expect it to be something it wasn't made to be.
simply put, if you want a match grade gun, buy a match grade gun. If you want a decent M14 pattern rifle with a short barrel, you got one.
Good luck. I've enjoyed mine and while I had a lot of "battle rifles" come ang do, I've hung on to that one for good reasons.
The fact that I was in the last class at the USAOC&S trained on the M14 rifle (and graduated second in my class,
might have something to do with my fondness for the M1A.
