Mini-14

[BLUEDOT 72]

Is the Mini-14 inherently innacurate? I was out with a friend and his new gun this past week and I couoldn't get anything better than 4 or 5 inches at 100 yards? And with handloads that shoot good in someone elses gun too! Everything was tight and installed as it should be. Good scope and well mounted.

I could tighten up the groups in an old M-1 or M-14 but I never had a new gun shoot this bad! But am a bolt gun guy and I would suggest to my friend that he take the gun back but I thought that I would do this post to see if anyone had any other ideas!

[reload]

Since the barrel has a quicker twist had the best luck with 70 grain bullets. But it even shoots better than yours with liter bullets using a scope! Good Luck

[Rabid Rich]

I have a mini (series 181-XX) that had the same problems. Seems most do to start with. 2 inch to 4 inch groups were the norm. Then I glass bedded mine, added a scope and muzzle break and handload 55 grain bullets with 25.0 grs of IMR 4895. That was 5 years ago. Maybe mine's "RARE" but it shoots continual groups that fit in a 2-bit piece at 100!
You might check out this site for more info on the Mini from a LOT of folks that have them, problems and solutions included......www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.
Nope, It kinda sounds like BUT it's not a "Lonely Hearts Club" HA!!!

Best of Luck to ya,
RR

[Catfish]

I`ve never owned one but from what I hear they all shoot bad from the factory. But as Rich said, with some work you can get them to shoot fairly well and with alot of work you can make them tack drivers.

[Steverino]

Bluedot,


My brother has a Mini-14 as well with the muzzlebreak in a Ranch model, I believe they call it. I know that he has done some barrel work with it-as to what exactly, I am not sure but knowing my brother, it was nothing extensive or expensive.

Before he began messing with it, I used to get about 3" groups @ 100 yards with it from a run of the mill Simmons scope and standard factory ammunition. I do recall it throwing shots high, however once the barrel started getting hot

I'm not sure what he is getting with it accuracy-wise these days. I'll have to inquire. He primarily uses it as an around the farm plinker.

Personally, if I was looking for greater accuracy, I'd be shopping for a bolt gun myself.

[Andy L]

Have never heard of a mini shooting good. Well, one guy said his did, but when called to demonstrate, he disappeared.

They are not inherently accurate. Thats pretty safe to say.


Andy

[fabsroman]

I have a mini 30 and wouldn't use it as my long range gun unless it was the only thing I had on me and my life depended on killing something or hitting something at long range (i.e., over 100 yards away).

[jmarriott]

I can't really commit on the mini 14 but the mini-30 in 7.62 X 39 is just as good as the AK-47 clones also known for lack of MOA. AK 300-500 dollars mini 30 300-500 dollars. apples to apples.

Think after seeing a movie called "red Dawn" I wanted a gun to shoot soviet ammo allong with a 223 and 308. Never really could buy a AK as the norinco and even hunragian version just did not feel right to me.

Picked up the mini-30 in 7.62 x 39 and a few high cap mags, a folding stock and a 3-9 low profile scope. I got the cheap ammo shooting americian AK.

I think of it as the vechile rifle with escape from the invading "Cubans". I shoot it with my rat a tat buddies, but it sits awaiting the invasion of america I guess by the Canadians now.

[Rocky Raab]

A Mini-14 (or Mini-30) is a practically indestructible work rifle. It was never meant for target or even varmint accuracy. It's designed to be a truck or tractor gun, for that surprise coyote or fox in the hen house.

They make a pretty good "called-in" predator gun, especially if there's a chance at multiple yotes coming in.

It's unrealistic to expect every single gun we buy (or design) to shoot one-hole groups, just as it's not practical to expect mini-vans or pickups do 5-second quarter-mile drag runs.

The Ruger Minis are what they are. They're REALLY good at that - almost perfect - but they don't fill every need.

[fabsroman]

Rocky,

No gun fills every need. That is what I have been trying to get across to my fiance. LOL

I love my mini 30 for what it is intended for. I use it when I am in the brush or when I am just plinking at targets around 50 yards. I put a red dot scope on it and really don't look for it to be too accurate out to 100. I was just replying to the post so that the guy knows not to waste his time trying to get it to punsh single holes at 100.

[8X56MS]

I have been shooting my Mini-14 since 1992. I know it is not as accurate as my HBAR Colt, but its just as much fun to take out.
I have used a Redfield 2 X 7 20mm scope for years, but recently I bought a rail that mates to the Ruger Scope mounts, and I am going to mount a red dot.
I will say one thing, its about as reliable as any rifle I have ever owned. I have had many failures with my various AKs, and ARs, but never with the Mini

[Mickey Rat]

They are great guns, but not known for accuracy. They do respond to lots of work, if you are willing.

[BLUEDOT 72]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I guess you know who is going to get stuck with the bedding & etc?

Jim