Twist on a mini-14 barrel?

[Frog123]

Does anyone know what the standard rate of twist on a mini-14 Ranch rifle is? I'm trying to determine the potentialy most accurate bullet weight for this rifle.... Thanks




Frog

[MI VHNTR]

Current production is 1-9 twist, while earlier models, around '92-'93, were 1-7 twist. As far as accuracy goes, there are much better choices available. The Ranch Rifle that I had was terrible. I kept it a month before selling it. A friend has a current RR that he has just purchased and, he too, is getting rid of it due to its lack of accuracy. MI VHNTR

[Frog123]

Thanks VHNTR,


I looked at different sources and couldn't find what I was looking for. I already have the rifle, I aquired it from a friend in a divorce sale, and you're right, accuracy isn't anything to get excited and write home about. Just getting started in this Predator/Varmint huntin' and I'm trying to make do with what I already have. I've got an 30/06 being rebarreled to 25/06 but I would still like to have a short action gun. With most of my shots being in the 100-150 range, I'm gonna try to make my ranch rifle do the job. If not, then I may get out my M77 in .280 and put it into service. Thanks again.



Frog

[Robert]

I have always heard of these things not being accurate, but mine is a tack driver.  It is older, but I dont know HOW old, or what the twist is. It is extremely accurate with 50, 55 and even 70 gr. bullets.
  A little history.....It didnt come with the indentations to fit  scope rings,  I had to have it drilled and tapped.  Also, it dosent have the perforated metal muzzle guard/forend,  It is all made of wood.  I bought it from a guy who hardly used it.  He bought it after getting charged by a pig, and I dont think he ever really used it, so the barrel is not shot out, and I have been careful with it.  Never have been able to find out much about it, but it is extremely accurate out past 400 yds.  Would this be one of the 92-93 models that you mentioned?  The only drawback is that it dosent seem to like the new little 35 gr. bullets.

[MI VHNTR]

Frog, try this website for info on helping to improve the Mini 14 accuracy.
http://www.perfectunion.com           Go to the Forums page.
Some guys are claiming accuracy increases, without spending too much money. Since you've already got the rifle, it might be worth a look. Hope it helps. MI VHNTR

[bubba15301]

try glass bedding the action  - the lack of accuracy is because the action moves in the stock. try accuglas-  i think you will notice a significant difference in accuracy

[hillbill]

hey guys, i checked out that site, perfect union.com. it was a wealth of info on the mini type rifles. the glass bedding procedure sounds like it would be the ticket for my mini 30.  sounds like it would eliminate those fliers and im hopeing help the accuracy with a hot barrel. these are the two main problems ive had with it. anybody out there glass bedded their mini 30? if so, did it help and how difficult was it? now where is that dang brownells catalog...... had it yesterday.....

[His lordship.]

Robert, you can find out the year of production of your Ruger gun by going to their site, click on guns, product service, caliber and serial number history, and whalla!  http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/SE-CalSerialHistory.html

Colt used to charge a fee for a person to find out the date of manufactur, Ruger does it for free. :grin:

[onesonek]

I haven't had or shot a mini for years. The one I had was given to me. Essentually it was, and most likely still is a military "prototype" production rifle, purposely over stabilized. Mil. specs were loose in the accuracy department. I'm not sure, but 20 rounds in a 10" circle at 200 meters, was the requirements??? Great MAN disable'r, that's about it. The idea, was to create a liability for enemy, by wounding rather than  killing. Still a philisophical parodox, I'm think'n. Personally I like DEAD,whatever I'm shooting

[Lawdog]

Frog123,

From what I was able to find out Ruger has used barrels with twist rates from 1-7 to 1-10 on their Mini 14's.  Some of the first ever brought out had a 1-10" twist rate.  These were fairly accurate rifles and are what started the popularity of the Mini's.  The funny part of this is they became popular with coyote hunters but when some of them were sighting in their Mini's they would caution guys helping them to "not get it to close, might get them with the first shot".

If you want to get the best accuracy possible out of your Mini-14 you can send it to someone to have the work done(I sent mine to A.R.S.(Accurate Rifle Systems, Odessa, Texas)) or if you have the skills do the work yourself.  First the factory barrel has got to go because it's to thin to maintain the rigidity required for this type of gas operating system.  I had a 22"(wanted to able to get it in and out of a vehicle easily as this was/is my duty weapon of choice) heavy match grade barrel with a 1-10 twist installed.  To this A.R.S. installed one of their oversized gas blocks as the factory block won't work as is on the new barrel.  Also had A.R.S. install one of their custom triggers and now my Mini-14 will group at or under MOA.  Lawdog