Author Topic: Mini-14 then and now? (Read 1861 times)

Dragoon · « **on:** April 02, 2003, 03:38:25 PM »

I have been looking at getting a Bushmaster for some time now but to tell you the truth I just do not like how the AR style rifles look (maybe I got sick of the look in the military I don't really know...) I actually prefer a nice wood stock so I am once again pondering getting a mini-14 and putting a nice aftermarket laminate stock on it.

It has been several years since I rid myself of my first mini-14 and I was just wondering if there have been any improvements over the years or if it is the same old rifle that I remember.

Anyway to my real question "Is the accuracy any better then it was in the past or is it still just as bad?"

Thanks for any info or opinions

Dragoon

John Traveler · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2003, 06:48:20 PM »

Sorry to say,

But I recently shot several Mini-14's made in the last four or five years. Very reliable functioning, but the same old mediocre accuracy. I get fist-sized groups at 100 yards all the time. If you can get one that groups within 2" at 100 yards, mark your calendar because that is a special event!!

I guess for it's intended use (light utility rifle/police rifle/infrequent use) it is a sucess. It won't hold up to the extended firing that the AR-15 is designed for.

I gave up trying to accurize several stock Ruger Mini-14 a dozen years ago after several thousands of rounds of ammunition and much effort at restocking, rebedding, sight mount changes, etc. that factory barrel is hardly worth calling a barrel!!

I really can't see the point in spending several hundreds of dollars to rebarrel a Mini-14 just to get it to shoot acceptably. The AR-15 design always gets the "nod" when it comes to choosing a semi-auto .223.

RON KONTOWSKY · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2003, 05:08:08 AM »

I also am sorry to inform you about the mini-14 series,
I do alot of accuracy work on them, but for the most part by time and money spent, you wrap up more in it then if you were buy an AR-15, but they can be made to shoot though!

RON KONTOWSKY
ACTIONS BY R.A.K.
DEANS GUNSHOP II
GUNSMITHING DIV.

BoatVet · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2003, 03:59:00 PM »

Dragoon-
I picked up a mini 14 ranch rifle about 2 months ago and love it. It has the synthetic stock with stainless steel reciever group and barrel. I bought a bunch of aftermarket magazines 10,20,30,and 40 rounders for cheap from cabelas. I have shot well over 500 rounds out of it and never had a problem with it. I bought a cheap BSA .22 scope from the Sportmans Guide 4x32 for $19. and used the ruger rings that came with rifle. Last weekend I went to the range and sighted the scope in at 25yrds than moved it out to the 100 yrd line and tweaked it a little more. I shot 4 groups of 5 rounds inside of 3" before I was to cold to shoot anymore. about 10 with the wind chill and I was using cheap wolf ammo for the first and probably last time. Very dirty gun after only 60 rounds that day. anyways I love the gun and for the price and the amount of accesories and upgrades available I think it's perfect.

Dragoon · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2003, 06:16:44 PM »

Thanks for all of the info everyone.

I think I am going to give the mini another try. It seems that it still has some accuracy problems but like I said I just plain old do not like the looks of the M-16/AR-15 style rifles.

I was going to try putting a barrel stabilizer on it from Clark Custom Guns. Has anyone ever tried one of these? Are their claims accurate or just a sales pitch?

Thanks again!

Dragoon

BoatVet · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2003, 07:02:14 PM »

Dragoon,
I know what you mean about the M-16. I've had to use one for years in the military. It always worked well for me but that dosen't mean I want to keep one at home. I love the light, compactness of my ranch rifle, and the way it transforms from that to my homeland defense rifle with a scope, flash suppressor, and a 40 round clip. If you decide you need sub 1" groups at 100yrds., than look at a full barrel replacement. One site I found good looking barrels and fully assembeled minis is called accuracy systems. Web site is www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com, Happy shooting

Rusty · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2003, 08:50:01 AM »

I manged to get 1" 100 yd groups out of a min using an AKA type of muzzle brake from bushmaster. Minis aren't usually accurate, however if you dump them in the mud, they are much more likely to work than the AR's.
The local smith (Evan) said that minis can be accurized for around $1,000. Evan suggests getting a M1-A instead.

:lol:

RicMic · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2003, 01:55:37 PM »

I have a Mini with a Clarck GBS on it, and it SHOOTS! 5/8" to 3/4" are common. I too hate AR's but wanted something fun to shoot and have usable accuracy.

targshooter · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2003, 04:32:39 AM »

Dragoon,
I have not owned a Mini-14 for 20 years. I tried 2 of them and gave up. My Mini-30 (SS) purchased 3 years ago is a 2 MOA rifle. Reading this post and also drawing on the experiences of several shooting pals who own them, Mini-14s are not as accurate as the M-16 types. The accuracy also seems to vary greatly from firearm to firearm. The people I know who have extended experience with the Min-14 believe that the Ranch Rifle version is more accurate than the standard Mini-14. As most of these guys have owned both, I offer the comment for your consideration.

txpete · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2003, 09:39:19 AM »

I have a min-14 .223 ranch and scoped it will hold 2 inch groups with my handloads.I shot lots of high dollar bullets out of my mini and found that the best accuracy came with the bulk IMI 55 gr fmj's.2 powders that work the best.
win 748 and AA2460 followed by AA2520.for primers fed sm rifle match and rem match has worked the best.I only us lc mil brass.
I see people at the range complain about their mini's but look at what they are using for ammo the cheapest crap they can buy.crap in crap out.
just remember one thing the mini is a ultility rifle it was never intended to be a match/target grade rifle.I have never had 1 jam with my mini I sure can't say that about my colt hb ar.
john masen mags work great most aftermarket mag's stink.
www.johnmasen.com

Lawdog · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2003, 11:03:41 AM »

Dragoon,

I use a Mini-14 for a duty weapon. Reason is I didn't want a military looking rifle in my hands when dealing with the public. I restocked mine(a nice walnut thumbhole stock from Royal Arms) and had A.R.S. do one of their accuracy jobs on it. Now it shoots MOA all the time. A.R.S. cost was just under $380.00 but worth every penny. Now my Mini wears a 22" barrel and doesn't look anything like a soldiers weapon, which is what I wanted. Now it just looks like I have a sporting rifle in my hands even with a 20 shot magazine in it. If you want a Mini get it and with all the after market items available you can make it into whatever you want and as accurate as you want it to be without spending an arm and a leg to do it. Lawdog

wild willie · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2003, 11:13:12 AM »

Quote from: Lawdog

Dragoon,

I use a Mini-14 for a duty weapon. Reason is I didn't want a military looking rifle in my hands when dealing with the public. I restocked mine(a nice walnut thumbhole stock from Royal Arms) and had A.R.S. do one of their accuracy jobs on it. Now it shoots MOA all the time. A.R.S. cost was just under $380.00 but worth every penny. Now my Mini wears a 22" barrel and doesn't look anything like a soldiers weapon, which is what I wanted. Now it just looks like I have a sporting rifle in my hands even with a 20 shot magazine in it. If you want a Mini get it and with all the after market items available you can make it into whatever you want and as accurate as you want it to be without spending an arm and a leg to do it. Lawdog

:cry:I too sent my mini to ARS but I spent $700.00 and all I got was a best of 11/2" groups once and it would not repeat with quality handloads. I have sent it back once all I got was B.S. from Tim.He sent me group he had shot that was good enough to cover guantee. If your rifle shoots that good for that price your a very lucky person. In all I have$ 1300.00 in rifle plus a burris sig. 4x16 scope which this piece of @#$^ does not need . Sorry to be so blunt but I am very angry .
Good luck to all who deals with ARS.

Lawdog · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2003, 10:27:28 AM »

wild willie,

First let me Welcome you to Graybeard Outdoors, the best forum on the net for hunters/shooters going today. You have no reason to be sorry about being blunt, that's what these forums are for. First let me clear up a couple of things. I had my work done by A.R.S. in 1995 so that is one reason the price difference. Another is that i supplied my own barrel, a Shelin because I have a lot of faith in them. I had them do the work because a few of my fellow officers recommended them after they had sent their Mini's to them. If I had to do it over again the one thing I would change is the barrel length, go to 24" instead of 22".

Anyway "willie" hope to hear more from you in the future. Again Welcome to Graybeards. Lawdog

wild willie · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2003, 04:19:57 PM »

Thanks Lawdog ,This is the first time I have posted on these forums , I find them very useful and informative. I found another forum where others have had problems with ARS on www.perfectunion.com but I have also found people that have great shooting minis from them. I was just blowing off some steam I am going to call Tim again see if we can work out the problem, Thanks again.
willie-)

Lawdog · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2003, 09:21:17 AM »

Willie,

PLEASE, keep us informed on your progress with A.R.S. and your Mini. I for one am interested in the out come. Lawdog

R. Tillery · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2003, 03:20:17 PM »

I'm a part-time LEO and have been eyeing a '181-Series' Mini14 as a possible patrol carbine. This one has the older wooden forearm as opposed to the new fiberglass forearm. I'm a WWII nut and the all-wood stock simply appeals to me. I've owned several ARs over the years and have ALWAYS very quickly become BORED with their 'look'.

Lawdog · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2003, 11:34:52 AM »

R. Tillery,

You and me both. Give me wood/ blued every time. Also the reason I picked the Mini-14 is because I don't need the public crying "military armament" every time I take my weapon out of my truck like they do when one of my men took out his AR 15(or one of the many copies). Now all my men carry re-worked Mini-14's and the complaints stopped coming in to the clients. Lawdog

R. Tillery · « **Reply #17 on:** December 02, 2003, 03:16:39 PM »

OK. I brought it home today. It is absolutely MINT. It came with the 1 factory 5-round mag and (3) Ramline 30-round 'Combo Mags'. The ONLY 'change' I forsee making will be exchanging the factory front sight for an M14-type front sight base/flash hider combo.