MINI 14

[Ghostrider_23]

Hello everyone, I need some help from my Ruger experts ( You All) about the mini 14. How is it in general, reliability and accuracy??? I like thefunction of the mini 14 it reminds me of the M1 Carbine. I have been thinking about getting the mini 14 but do not know much about them except it seems to be one of the few semi-auto rifle the gun grabbers don't bother with, unlike the ar-15 or ak-47. Any hinformation anyone can give me would be of great help.

[targshooter]

Ghostrider,
I own a Ruger Mini-30 (all weather Ranch rifle with flip up peep) and a Mini-14/5 (purchased this January). Both are fairly accurate. The new peep sight on the 14/5 is great. Same sight picture as a Garand or Carbine. Both rifles give about 2 MOA using the peeps, with carefully timed shots allowing the barrels to cool. The Mini-14 needs cooling time more severely than the Mini-30 or the groups open up (almost double). Several 10 shot strings gave 5 MOA. I have found that 4 shots and a cooling period of 3-4 minutes followed by 4 shots works pretty well, giving 2-3 MOA. Waiting 2-3 minutes between shots and allowing cooling gets it down to 2MOA at 100 yards off the bench with the peeps. A scope puts it in the 1.5 MOA arena. Not bad. Am using Wolf ammo, 55 grain FMJ. I shoot mostly offhand at 200 yards and can hold the 4 shot salvo with cooling inside 12 inches for about 40 shots, after which this weeble wobbles. This is as good as I get from a Garand offhand at 200. As for reliability, I believe the Mini is better than the AR-15 family. Attached is an interesting article address.

http://www.ar15.com/content/swat/200203-AR-15_vs_Mini-14.pdf

For the money I would recommend the rifle. It is a pleasure to carry afield and it comes to shoulder quickly and points fairly well.
Hope this helps.
Regards

[DWTim]

To check the worst-case scenario, at one point we dropped about half a handful of loose dirt into the magazine well of each rifle and then shook each of them to distribute the dirt. After running a cleaning patch down the bore of each rifle to make sure the barrel was clean (no sense in being completely stupid and having a rifle blow up in your face) we attempted to fire a 20-round magazine rapidly through each. The Mini-14 ran without a malfunction. Much to my surprise, my usually malfunction-free AR burped on the third round, and did not go fully into battery.

Heh, gotta love that loose-fitting Garand-style bolt.

[IntrepidWizard]

I have had mine for about 35 years,model 140 and nothing was added but a Canvas sling,for a all around
Ranch gun it it perfect.And only with the excepetion of Bear I have brought down two Mt Lion several deer not in tended to hunt and many Yotes and Bob cats once it jamed and it was the magazine not put in properly.

[Hairtrigger]

The way I have always looked at the Mini-14 is comparing it to a AR-15.
For A Colt Ar-15 you spend about $1000, For a Mini you start at $400 then spend $600 for a heavy barrel and trigger work and maybe an adjustable gas block and bed the action  = $1000 The Ruger will not draw the attention the Colt will.
The end result is guns that are about equal without the "black rifle" effect. Plus it ticks off the Colt owners off when they see a Ruger that shoots as well as their Colt!!
If you want hi cap mags the ones for the Ruger will cost more and may not be as reliable as the AR-15 mags. Shooting from a bench or rest I believe the Ruger is easier to shoot.

[bones22]

If your Mini does not group well check the stock action contact area for high spots. Mine had one, a little sanding shrunk group size by half.