Mini-14

[kalashnikovluvr]

I don't know if this has been asked befor but here it goes...

How accurate is your Mini-14. I've heard some negative things about how accurate they are and I would like to hear how accurate/not accurate it is from people who have them.

[.30]

I have a standard model Mini 14 and can tell you that mine is not very accurate at all. The best I have been able to do is 2.5" at 100 yards and the only way I was able to attain that group was with a scope on a level rest that I could clamp the rifle into and using Black Hills match ammo.

Just shooting off sandbags with the irons using WWB or UMC with a cold barrel 6" or 7" is more the norm until the barrel heats up(which happens quickly) then I don't get groups, I get patterns.

My Mini only has maybe 700 rounds through it and I keep my guns immaculately clean so it's not user neglect or a wore out weapon.
I have met other people that have them and have shot a few of theirs and it's pretty much the same deal.

[kalashnikovluvr]

Would you say it is more/less accurate then a AK-47(WASR 10)?

[.30]

Less accurate. I could at least print 5" groups with my WASR even with a hot barrel with iron sights over sand bags using cheap Russian ammo. I have no expierence with the Mini-30's but have heard similar reports about them. Given the choice between a Mini and a WASR, I would definatly take the WASR.

[BOBK48]

I had a 182 series Mini 14 and the 1st shot from a cold barrel was ok after that the best I could get was 4-5" at 100 yards. If the barrel got real hot forget about it.

[the Dark Lord]

I must have got lucky

My Ruger has shot around 2 inch groups from a make shift bench

The truth is though I dont usually use any benches or aim (well actually try and get the center) I just like blasting at targets

[Redondo]

I aim ;), and get between 2.5-4 inches out of mine. I have shot ammo that I couldn't get better than 5-6 from.

[Russ in PA]

I purchased a stainless one new 7-8 years ago. The best I could muster, scoped & from a rest, was around 6" @ 100 yards. I tried 3 or 4 different types of factory ammo, & accuracy SUCKED with all of them.

I sold the gun within a few months. It's the only time that I've felt a little guilty about putting a gun on my dealer's consignment shelf. It was a turd.

[zephyrnoid]

I have to laugh. I've had pretty much the same experience as others . I did slap an aluminum barrel shroud ..which helped- a bit. Now I can get roughly 3" - 4" groups in slow fire VS the 5"-6" ones of before. I know there are barrel upgrades that will change all that. Here's a peek at this fun firearm ...
http://www.imagometrics.com/Mini14.html
I heard it was designed to be used as a varmint gun. Aren't varmints rather small? Shouldn't the Mini-14 be more accurate out of the box ?? :steamed:

[jlh2600]

WOW it's rare to get a consensus on anything like this.

So what is the standard by the way? For instance, what is some of this rifle's primary competition, and what type of groups will they get at 100yds? Ak's, cheap AR's?

[Russ in PA]

Originally posted by jlh2600

So what is the standard by the way? For instance, what is some of this rifle's primary competition, and what type of groups will they get at 100yds? Ak's, cheap AR's?

Either an AK or an AR-15, with a slightly bent barrel, will achieve the same level of precision as the Mini-14.

[alwaysshootin]

I was considering getting a Mini, and was talked out of ot by a local gun shop. He asked me how I would feel about a 4 inch or worse group at 100 yards. I simply stated that I would not care for that one bit. He exclaimed that is what you can expect out of the Ruger, so spend a little more and buy a Bushmaster. So my lovely better half for my fortieth bought me a bushy and it shoots under an inch a 100 yards. And if your into hi-capacity mags the extra money for the AR rifle is money well spent. Used 30 rounders for the AR are in the 10-15 dollar range! Anyone know what a 20 or 30 round mag for a Ruger goes for these days?

[BOBK48]

Take a look at the retail prices on the Ruger website. The Mini 14 new is 700 something bucks. The Mini 30 is 800. Granted you can get them for less. But, why bother. For that kind of money your in AR territory. Could Ruger fix the Mini? Sure. But in all the years that they have been making it they haven't.

[cwood]

Retail for Stainless Mini 14 or Mini 30 at WalMart is only $527

It is a special order so it takes a week or so but there is no additional charge except tax.

[alwaysshootin]

Spend 200.00 more and get a Bushmaster, you will be glad you did!

[Deaf Smith]

The problems with the mini are several.

A) The gas block has 4 screws. The screws are not tourqed in the same (one of mine was even loose!) Uneven tightning plus a wider gap on one side of the gas block will cause stringing and other problems as the barrle heats up. Fix is to tourque the screws in like you do a car tire when you put it on the car and use a spark plug feeler guage to make sure the gap on both sides of the gas block are the same amount.

B) The barrel for the last 2 or so inches is usually .002 oversized (the newist Minis are supposed to have fixed that.) Of course, as the bullet hits that oversized part it yaws more. Hence the larger groups at 100 yards. Fix is to take 2 inches off the barrel (16.5 inch tube.)

C) The barrel is thin and thus more prone to barrel whip. Fix is the same as B (but I'd also add a flash hider to make the barrel a bit longer and heavier.)

D) The stocks sometimes are a bit oversized and the receiver moves in the mount. Fix is to get a Ramline or other polymer stock.

Oh, my 'Micro-14', which has a bit over 16 inch tube, will print consistant 1 - 2 inch groups at 100 yards. But you do see how much effort is needed to fix what Ruger should have fixed on day one.

Deaf

[Rex G]

Deaf Smith, that is a very informative post! Thanks! I have been thinking about a Mini-14 as a patrol rifle. My agency allows personally owned Mini-14 and AR15 carbines, and I just do not like the ergonomics of the AR15, especially being a lefty with rifles. (I tried an AR15 for two years, with ambi safety and mag release; I sold it to a fellow officer who likes the horrid little things.)

[zephyrnoid]

MIne is still available http://www.imagometrics.com/Mini14.html
Originally posted by Rex G
Deaf Smith, that is a very informative post! Thanks! I have been thinking about a Mini-14 as a patrol rifle. My agency allows personally owned Mini-14 and AR15 carbines, and I just do not like the ergonomics of the AR15, especially being a lefty with rifles. (I tried an AR15 for two years, with ambi safety and mag release; I sold it to a fellow officer who likes the horrid little things.)

[spober]

that rugers mini 14 was updated with new cnc machining equipment that went into effect for the 2005 minis.if you want the most acurate mini 14 then buy one thats made not before january 2005!

[cwood]

Originally posted by zephyrnoid
MIne is still available http://www.imagometrics.com/Mini14.html

Just curious, are you using factory rings with the ultra dot sight?



Thanks

[ReAX222]

I have never tried grouping, but I have only missed a hand full of shots with it. The misses we my fault.

On the plus side, I once hit a pumpkin at 275 yards with the factory peep sights. Mine is an 180 series, they might be more accurate than the rest or I am just very lucky.

[Rex G]

Thanks, zephyrnoid, but I am not yet ready to buy.

[rangerruck]

i shoot almost everyweekend at the range here. i know a couple of guys who are decent enough shots, and have tricked out and tune dmini's that cannot get a group inside 3 in to save their lives. that being said, ruger, this year, change all there steel, machinery, electronics , poor stats, schematics, etc. and nwo SUPPOSEDLY have a mini that you may get to shoot moa at 100 yds, certainly inside 2 inches

[rangerruck]

another prim e prob ws that when the bbl heats up , the senuosoidal wave hits tha bbl like a bull whip. i would get a new one, and also put a bbl deresonator on it. Another thought is if you dont want to spend a ton of money, get a keltec su16 b or c model. they have flat tops, m16 replaceable front sites, take m16 mags, and can carry one 20 rounder, or two 10 rounders in the hollow stock. the front handguards also swing down to make a bipod, if need be.

[DIXIE DUCK]

I got a new mini and I did put a choat folder on it. It shoots pretty good a 50yrds but I have not tried 100 yrds yet. I think I will try the barrel shroud.

[BattletweeteR]

over on the perfect union web site, a few dudes were discussing the "rigidity strut" and how most of them noticed an improvement in accuracy.

and one dude even started manufacturing rigidity struts and is about to start selling them, it will improve accuracy or your money back:

http://www.accu-strut.com/

well the principle looked easy enough so i built my own rigidity strut and it diffidently improved accuracy, here is the thread i started about it:

http://perfectunion.com/vb/showthread.php?t=49785

[Mail Clerk]

Originally posted by kalashnikovluvr
I don't know if this has been asked befor but here it goes...

How accurate is your Mini-14. I've heard some negative things about how accurate they are and I would like to hear how accurate/not accurate it is from people who have them.


Kalashnikovluvr,

Mine is pretty accurate at 100 yards for the first 5-7 rounds. After that accuracy falls on it's tail badly. The barrel heats-up too fast.

Mail Clerk

[billt]

From the people that I've talked to who have purchased the "new" Mini 14's that were made on the supposed "improved" machinery, they are no more accurate than the old ones. It's a shame that Ruger can make such an accurate revolver, but most of their rifles can't hit crap. Bill T.

[Tomac]

IMHO the Mini-14 is an excellent concept w/flawed execution (fortunately it's not fatally flawed). Sure, if you want the best accuracy there are plenty of other rifles out there that will shoot much more accurately. However, The Mini's I've owned over the years (don't own one now but am seriously considering buying one again) were 100% reliable (even w/the aftermarket mags available then) and nothing shoulders/handles/points faster/better than the Mini for me.
I know there are reliable AR's but after my own personal experience w/them over the past 3 decades I just don't trust the platform (and don't even get me started on clearing double-feed jams!) ;) The Mini has its place as long as you realize its limitations (which goes for any firearm...)
Tomac

[a1b2c3]

I can't recall ever shooting mine beyond 50yards. At 50yards I get 2-3" groups. Sure that's not very good but if I'm putting that in a man size chest I think the person being shot wouldn't know the difference. I carry my Mini 14 on-duty every day working nights and most of the time I use it the distances are 20 yards or less. Now that I finally found a good light mount for my M3 to attach it gets more use in clearing rooms and with the folding stock that is on it is more compact than an AR15. If I need to shoot 100yards or more I pull out my Colt 6920 which will put them all in the same hole.
For those who carry use theirs and need a good light mount this guy is good to go.
http://thearmsroom.com/_wsn/page9.html

[alwaysshootin]

Originally posted by a1b2c3
I can't recall ever shooting mine beyond 50yards. At 50yards I get 2-3" groups. Sure that's not very good but if I'm putting that in a man size chest I think the person being shot wouldn't know the difference. I carry my Mini 14 on-duty every day working nights and most of the time I use it the distances are 20 yards or less. Now that I finally found a good light mount for my M3 to attach it gets more use in clearing rooms and with the folding stock that is on it is more compact than an AR15. If I need to shoot 100yards or more I pull out my Colt 6920 which will put them all in the same hole.
For those who carry use theirs and need a good light mount this guy is good to go.
http://thearmsroom.com/_wsn/page9.html

So let me see if I have you correct, you carry a mini-14 nitely, and it's accurate enough at pistol ranges? Then if you need to make a rifle distance shot, you switch to a colt!
Why have a Mini?

[BOBK48]

I was disappointed with the Mini. I had a 182 series, bought it new. Yes it fed and fired everything. The 1st shot from a cold barrel was accurate after that forget it.

[a1b2c3]

The AR has scope on it set up for sniping. The Mini rides up in passenger seat with the duty bag. It takes the beating that the AR doesn't have to. Besides if I have to use it for a 100yd shot I will and not worry about missing. Everyone complains about the large groups that the Mini produces. How wide is your chest or head? A 5"-6" group at 100yds means death to whomever you are shooting. Now if I'm thinking like this why do I need the AR? It's for barricaded subjects or surveillance.

[fritz1919]

For many years I've kept an SKS with a couple thou rounds of 7.62 ready to go as a when the SHTF insurance policy. More recently I've picked up a Saiga, on sale DIRT cheap, also 7.62.

Now that I can't get my hands on a cheap case of 7.62, I'm very glad to have my Mini in .223. .223 ammo is still all over the place.

It is the synthetic/stainless model and will hit the pie plate all day long at 100 yds with open sights if I do my job.

For the reasons I intend, that is fine.

Just my .02 worth.

Fritz

[Rex G]

One time I saw a stat that indicated the longest shot taken by a police sniper in the USA was 76 yards. That may have changed since I read it. The longest distance at which I ever "set up" to contain a bad guy was a laser-measured 40 yards. (I work for a big-city PD, with 22 years of service. I am NOT a sniper, but when SWAT arrived on my above-mentioned scene, their sniper liked my chosen spot just fine, and set up in my position. No shot was fired.) So, while there will always be a possible nightmare scenario, for which any hand-held weapon will be inadequate, I believe a Mini-14 is about as good as it gets for a .223 carbine. Minute-of-melon is OK in this role. If I am going to spend a four-figure price on a ten-pound weapon, I want it to throw a bigger BB.

[Apocalypse_Now]

I bought 3 minis (185 series) back in the late 80s. Installed Choate stocks on all of them. With iron sights and surplus SS109:

one was a 6+ MOA weapon/traded it

One was a 2 to 3 MOA weapon/now my all-around carry-home defense-truck rifle

one was a 1 MOA weapon that I hard mount scoped and hardly ever fire, saving it for special occasions :cool:


Moral? Ruger (accuracy) quality ia ll over the ballpark, but all 3 were reliable

[Apocalypse_Now]

Originally posted by Rex G
One time I saw a stat that indicated the longest shot taken by a police sniper in the USA was 76 yards. That may have changed since I read it. The longest distance at which I ever "set up" to contain a bad guy was a laser-measured 40 yards. (I work for a big-city PD, with 22 years of service. I am NOT a sniper, but when SWAT arrived on my above-mentioned scene, their sniper liked my chosen spot just fine, and set up in my position. No shot was fired.) So, while there will always be a possible nightmare scenario, for which any hand-held weapon will be inadequate, I believe a Mini-14 is about as good as it gets for a .223 carbine. Minute-of-melon is OK in this role. If I am going to spend a four-figure price on a ten-pound weapon, I want it to throw a bigger BB.

I read the record to be 196 yards

[Rex G]

Originally posted by Apocalypse_Now
I read the record to be 196 yards You are probably correct; the stat I read may well be outdated. I do know that at 196 yards, I would rather be throwing something heavier than a .223 bullet. My agency's patrol carbine guys train at 100 yards max, and I seem to recall an article or book that indicated performance of .223 bullets in human targets drops off significantly at distances over 100 yards. Since private citizen self-defense can pretty much only be legally justified at close range anyway, I still do like the Mini-14.

[JonSidneyB]

My Mini's were also very inaccurate. I know that the shops that work on these make big accuracy claims but I have not seen the work. The one thing I don't like about the aftermarket work on these is the huge increase in barrel weight. I do know that you cannot always have your cake and eat it too.

If I could hit with the Mini it would be one of my favorite guns but I am unable to hit to my satisfaction with it.

Someday I might try and get one rebarreled but i will still get the lightest barrel I can get for it and hope for the best, If I can get even 2moa for 20 rounds I would appreciate a Mini much more.

It is obvious that the Mini though made by ruger is a relative of the M-1, M-14 family. I really don't know anything about the gas block. The M-1 and M-14 I think have always had acceptable accuracy, what in the construction of the block and other issues makes the Mini different than the M-14 besides scale???

[Tomac]

No need to rebarrel for significantly better accuracy: Cut the bbl to 16.5" & recrown, add your muzzle brake or flash hider of choice, ensure the gas block screws are properly torqued & gapped. With this done my Mini shoots 4" groups at 100yds using Q3131 & a 4moa red dot sight. I have to wonder how it would do w/an actual magnified scope w/crosshairs.
Tomac

[zephyrnoid]

Excellent response. I just sold mine to a chap in CA and he's very satisfied with the average performance. What makes the Mini 14 so popular in America is not it's match caliber accuracy- but rather it's reliability and relatively good value for a semi. I only sold mine cause I'm into shotguns in a big way now. No time for centerfire anymore.Originally posted by Tomac
No need to rebarrel for significantly better accuracy: Cut the bbl to 16.5" & recrown, add your muzzle brake or flash hider of choice, ensure the gas block screws are properly torqued & gapped. With this done my Mini shoots 4" groups at 100yds using Q3131 & a 4moa red dot sight. I have to wonder how it would do w/an actual magnified scope w/crosshairs.
Tomac