Author Topic: Mini-14 Accuracy? (Read 4126 times)

Star1pup · « **on:** February 06, 2009, 07:10:34 AM »

Just how accurate is the Mini-14? I've heard it both ways and am thinking about one for coyote hunting out to about 150 yards.

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2009, 11:25:42 AM »

If you get one of the newer Mini's you probably will be ok.I have one and it shoots fairly well.Can stay on a 50 cent piece at 100 yards.I have never shoot beyond that.I just put an ATI "black" 7 pos. stock on my mini last night.I'm it won't shoot any better.....but darn it looks cool

..........Rick

Val · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:29:17 AM »

Mini 14s are not known for accuracy. They are primarily pray and spray rifles. They're fun to play around with and plink. There are some fairly accurate ones (exceptions) out their but if accuracy is a requirement buy something else.

cjclemens · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2009, 02:02:17 PM »

The new accurized version is supposed to be a tack driver. I picked one up a while ago and the darn thing weighs twice what my older style Mini does. Good for plinking and target shooting, but bad if you want to take it hunting. Mine shoots about a 5" group at 100 yards, no matter what kinda ammo you feed it, but its fairly light and durable. Makes for a good truck gun. If you want to coyote hunt with one of the older ones like mine, its probably best to keep the shots inside 100 yards.

bjones · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2009, 01:12:47 AM »

I have a newer one, and I shoot under 2" at 100yrds with cheap ammo consistantly. If you buy a newer model you will be happy with it.

kix · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2009, 04:26:15 AM »

I bought a 182 series back in '83 and for years just plinked around with it. Of course I had to get all the accesories to make it bad to the bone. Then I finally scoped it and the "bad" had more to do with accuracy than looks! I tried factory ammo, several reloads with different powders and bullets and had a 2x7 Leupold on it. 5 inch groups at 50 yds. was the norm, 50 yards!. My cousin had (repeat had) a Mini-30,same thing. On the other hand, a friend's son recently bought a stainless Ranch (not new by any means) and ACCORDING to him it will shoot 1-2" groups at a 100 all day long. I will have to see that for myself. In fact, my Mini was the inspiration for my now-famous, known throughout the shooting world "saying" (and doctrine) that "if the rifle won't shoot then it gets the boot". And it did. Kix

rex6666 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2009, 04:46:13 AM »

Quote from: Val on February 22, 2009, 03:29:17 AM

Mini 14s are not known for accuracy. They are primarily pray and spray rifles. They're fun to play around with and plink. There are some fairly accurate ones (exceptions) out their but if accuracy is a requirement buy something else.

I am missing some thing here, what other requirements other than accuracy
does a rifle have? How do they keep selling them, what fun is their in an inaccurate rifle, even when "plInking" i expect to hit what i aim at.
I get the feeling that if the minni-14 cost say $15-1800.00 it would shoot just fine. JMHO

targshooter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2009, 04:48:05 AM »

I have two 2007 manufactured Series 580 Mini-14 rifles. One is stainless in synthetic, the other stainless in wood. I replaced the Ruger handguard with a Choate ventilated handguard; which does not have the obtrusive shroud on its right side. IMO, with the Choate handguard installed the rifles handle like M1 Carbines. The synthetic stocked version is about 4 oz lighter and about 3/8 inch shorter than the wood stocked rifle I own. It is not as accurate as the rifle in the wood stock, giving 2.5 MOA with a scope off a bench at 200 yards. The barrel walks high and right as it gets hot, about like many other hunting rifles I own (like the Remington 7400 carbine). 10 shots and you're 4 high and 4 right at 200 yards with a group about 4-5 MOA. The stainless wood stocked Mini-14 is as accurate as any standard AR15 rifle. It is capable of 1.5-2.0 MOA at 200 yards. It does not walk as the barrel heats; however, when the barrel is ridiculously hot it opens the groups to 3-4 MOA at 200 yards.This is all with Wolf 62 grain HP ammo. I have tried some Sierra 69 grain HP Match King bullets in the wood stocked rifle. Allowed to stay cool to moderately warm the rifle shoots 1 MOA at 100 yards with the Sierra load. Scoping these rifles is superbly easy due to Ruger's excellent scope mounting system. A lot of writing in response to your question, but hopefully it offers some corroboration for the following. I would recommend, and use, a Series 580 Mini-14 for coyotes out to 150 yards. I grew up with standard configuration rifles (like M1 Carbines, Garands, Springfields, Remington 700s, etc.) and have shot such for most of my 40+ years of shooting. The FN-FAL and the AR15 have good ergonomics for their configuration, however, for me, nothing points and handles as well for hunting a conventional configuration rifle.

rex6666 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2009, 05:00:00 AM »

Targshooter.
glad to hear from you,( someone that owns one) Cabelas in Ft. Worth has a sale on mini-14 ranch
and tactical, only dif. i can see is fire susp. and extra 20 rond mag.
on the tactical. both are "plastic stocks" i guess you can get a wood
stock from choate. ranch is $749.00 stainless, and tactical is $699.00 blue

targshooter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2009, 06:04:33 AM »

rex6666,
I wood (had to do that) knot (that too) purchase a Ruger stock based on some one else's experience. I do offer this suggestion.
Go to the store and buy the rifle after you have handled and inspected the available rifles. I purchased both of my Series 580 Mini-14s from a local gunstore where I could do such. The first purchase was the stainless synthetic. It was fairly clean of tool marks and it seemed that the metal to stock fit was fairly true. It shot well enough I was impressed (I did own a very inaccurate Mini-14 in the late 1970s), delivering accuracy on a par with standard Garands. I liked it so much I went back for a second of the same, as the handling qualities of this synthetic rifle suit me quite well, much like an M1 Carbine. However, the stainless wood stocked rifle I bought was impeccable in its fit and finish. Not a single tool mark or machining jig mark on the entire rifle. Also, the metal to wood fit was perfect, no gaps between receiver and stock, no off true mating between stock and rifle. Additionally, the gas block screws and gaps were very uniform, both sides having the same clearance between bottom and top halves. I bought it and it has proven a winner. Either rifle would suffice for coyote hunting to 150 yards IMO, as it takes 7-10 shots on a hot summer day to get the synthetic stocked rifle to start walking its POI and opening its groups. Please note, all my target shooting is at 200 yards unless noted.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2009, 06:12:32 AM »

I read somewhere that someone took and older one and cut the barrel off to about 16-1/2" and recrowned it and it drastically improved the accuracy from around 4" at 100 yards for 3-4 different types of ammo to less than 1" average for the types of ammo he tested. He said the barrel was too thin and vibrated too much so the shorter barrel improved accuracy. He also tightened the Allen screws where the gas ports are for the action. Don't know where I found that though.

rex6666 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2009, 07:40:34 AM »

I have a 204 ruger for coyotes, i have a 270win for deer,elk and coyotes
i kinda want a 223 for under the bed in case because of cheaper ammo
but not enough the buy a r-15 i think the mini-14 will serve my purpose
just fine. I don't buy anything because someone else says it is good but enough
people using it and liking it, does prove the ones that don't wrong.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2009, 10:15:46 AM »

The new reworked "580" Mini's work and shoot just fine---the complaints about the Mini are about the older models before Ruger retooled their line.

DeepSouth · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2009, 12:14:11 PM »

Hello Star1pup.I'm interested in the Mini 30.If you would like to know more about them look up this website PerfectUnion.com.These folks have all kinds of cheap ways to make the Ruger MIni shoot much better.You may also type in Mini 14 or 30 and look for accurizing them.DeepSouth

hi-tek mt man · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2009, 02:46:40 PM »

My mini will out shoot them tricked out AR15's.And it's factory with a banner scope

ironglow · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2009, 03:14:30 PM »

Dixie Dude;
Is it possible that cutting the barrel short wasn't what accurized it so much as the re-crowning did ?

Oldshooter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2009, 03:19:26 PM »

I've had a mini 14 since the 70's. It is a good minute of pie plate shooter at one hundred yards with a factory peep and shooting with a wrapped sling standing. Now this was with a 20 round magazine cleared as fast as I could get it back on the target. Put a scope on it once with the side of the receiver mount, (did i say it was old) that worked ok and the little bugger shot well but looked like hell so i yanked it off.

This is my wait till they show up to take my stuff and pick up a new one on the ground rifle!

Default · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2009, 03:44:19 PM »

Well i have to pay tribute to my mini tooo

Mine like every other rifle i have has gotten the Default treatment of every ammo i can find in every wt. gr. possible till it showed promise... I own one made in 87 or 88 with a 1 in 10 twist Micky D's soda straw sized barrel with no special ranch rings... Black hills 75gr moly coat boat tail hollow point ... First two or three rounds are a X ring killers @ 100 ( and won me a couple beats too

)
After those first 2-3 shots , the barrel warms and the group grows the more fire the faster the larger the group out to say 4 or 5 inches ..Perfectly exceptable for two legged game and critters.. But of course this is due to the insanely thin barrel on the rifle i.e Hot metal expands ... I also dressed mine out with a B-Square mount ( nope no troubles with it at all ) and a 6x20x50 scope , with a hogue rubber coated stock .. I later heard that this stock can improve accuracy as it helps to bed the reciever ...I do know in regards to that that Accuracy Systems which specilizes in custom mini work offers their bedding service which is a three point bedding of the reciever to the stock for improved accuracy ... So one could come to the conclusion that bedding this little rifles reciever might help ... But ammo was essential to its accuracy for me , that and understanding what the nature of the beast is and what its limitations are .. I will be sending my mini off to accuracy systems some day soon just to have AR consistent accuracy out of this reliable and tuff little rig ...

  After thought: I have a few other ammo choices that do very well , 62gr FMJBT on top of Varget was best out of my hand rolled rounds , had some respectable groups from some 68 and 69 match ammo reloads ..

  Point of all that is .. Find what your rifle likes... If you want to bust up yotes from time to time then find your cold barrel accurate round, Most every hunter knows on average you never get more then 3 shots off on a animal ...
If you want long sessions on P-dogs then go bolt or AR ..

If you want it for SHTF situations , Well 3" to 5" groups fast fired @ 100 will do .

   Hope that helps , Oh and I too have heard that the new models are doing better in the accuracy department too .. Just havent seen it first hand..

   Default

gstewart44 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2009, 06:57:27 AM »

I have a stainless Mini 14 that I have had since 1988. It will shoot 3-4" groups/100yds with Milsurp 55 gr ammo. If I feed it handloads of Winchester 64 gr Poweroints over a 95% load of 4320. This recipe gives about 1 1/4" @ 100yds in my Mini. Some groups I can cover with a half dollar.

If you have a standard Mini with the 18.5" barrel you will need to either find a load that it likes or live with 4" groups. If you want to accurize it you can chop the barrel back to 16" or brace it with an underbarrel strut. Both methods stiffen the barrel and reduce the "whip" of the barrel during recoil.

I used the latter method and have shrunk my milsurp groups down to 2". Havent tried the 64 gr PP loads yet.....need to make up some more.

For its original purposes the Mini 14 is an utterly reliable minute-of-man shtf weapon.

I love mine.
Good luck with yours.

JRiddle · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2009, 07:21:03 AM »

My mini outshoots my Colt AR by far. I shoot subMOA with all my handloads 50-69gr. I think the stainless barrels are much more consistent than the blued. My best shots were 0.60"@100 and 1.65"@200, both 3shotgroups with 62grainers, sandbags and bench. I regularly shoot crows out in the fields at over 200 yds. I have nothing but good to say about my mini.

Dee · « **Reply #20 on:** June 04, 2009, 07:36:33 AM »

I have found over the years that the primary problem with the Mini-14's inconsistent grouping is the stock and receiver mating. I have been glass bedding them, and free floating the barrels for years with good results. The trigger group can be re-worked to near match grade. It is a very good trigger design, and prone to respond well. I likem, but they "usually" (some will) won't out-shoot a quality AR, and don't have the wide magazine availability, and parts availability.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #21 on:** June 04, 2009, 07:57:33 AM »

I have a 70's model that shoots minute of pie plate at 100 yds. I may try the bedding thing! but its a coyote and varmit(2 legged) ranch gun for me!

prairiedog555 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2009, 01:23:03 PM »

there is a forum out there dedicated to mini 14. You can google it. they have many good tips. the best, the cheapest one I used. It is to put a cheap $9.99 flash hider or recoil reducer on barrel. It took my milsurp groups like they said in half to about 2".
They also have a gunsmith guy they reccomend that will do trigger work ect on mini. They all say he is reasonable and competent.

Shiner · « **Reply #23 on:** June 16, 2009, 07:08:54 AM »

I wish I had seen this thread. I just started a new one about 10 minutes ago in the small bore rifle section about my Mini 14. It's on of the new 580 series and with a scope and cheap ammo it shoots 2'' groups easily. I love it.

briannmilewis · « **Reply #24 on:** September 04, 2009, 06:16:39 PM »

I'm starting to think that I should find someone I don't know with an old Mini tucked away in their cabinet or closet that hasn't been used for years because it wasn't accurate. Take it off their hands at a great price (read "steal it"), and put an under-barrel strut on it for $100 or so, work up some loads, and then I could use it all day on a P-Dog shoot or at the range, barrel overheating be dammed! I would also have a decent shooter for cheap/surplus ammo too! What a deal!

gstewart44 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 05, 2009, 02:03:26 AM »

Quote from: briannmilewis on September 04, 2009, 06:16:39 PM

I'm starting to think that I should find someone I don't know with an old Mini tucked away in their cabinet or closet that hasn't been used for years because it wasn't accurate. Take it off their hands at a great price (read "steal it"), and put an under-barrel strut on it for $100 or so, work up some loads, and then I could use it all day on a P-Dog shoot or at the range, barrel overheating be dammed! I would also have a decent shooter for cheap/surplus ammo too! What a deal!

Sounds like a plan!

mechanic · « **Reply #26 on:** September 05, 2009, 07:46:11 AM »

I've had two mini's, and now have an old beat up SKS. The SKS is more accurate.....however, the Ruger is tough as nails, and within reasonable distance is accurate enough. If you're thinking 300 yds, forget it.

If you ever watch films of the Inuits in Alaska, most of them will be carrying the mini with a 30 round magazine, as protection from bears.

One man's trash will always be another's treasure.....

efremtags · « **Reply #27 on:** September 05, 2009, 09:06:25 AM »

The new mini-s are accurate enough for a ranch gun. You should get 1.5 - 2moa with most ammo. That can hit a coyote out to 250 yards, but is far from a varmit rifle.

They are based on a garand/M-14 style action so they are inherently capable of being accurate. As a couple of people mentioned, they within the last few years evaluated their manufacturing process and cleaned up some of their tooling and assembly procedures. Not much has mechanically changed if at all.

For the price of one, I would rather get an AR for a little more money. You will make up the difference in price when you purchase your magazines. The Mini mags are expensive.