New Mini-14 Ranch Rifle - A few questions...

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DougB

New member
I just picked up a new Mini-14 Ranch Rifle (stainless with plastic stock). It came with a set of 1" Ruger rings. I want to mount a red-dot sight. I think 30mm (or larger) is the preferred size for red dots. It seems like I've heard that Ruger will exchange them for 30mm. Any recommendations for the sight to get? I'd prefer to keep it under $100 unless there is some very clear advantage to spending more. I kind of like the Bushnell Holosight (I know, I just blew my own price barrier), but I'm not sure how it would mount on this rifle. Will any 30mm red dot tubes mount using both of the Ruger rings? I know the Mini isn't reputed to be very accurate, so I'm thinking that a quick pointing red dot sighted for around 50 yards would be about ideal for it.

Another question - how tough would it be to cut the barrel to 16"? The front sight appears to be pinned in place - it looks like it might just slide farther back on the barrel. Would reducing the barrel length affect functioning - possibly requiring that the gas port be enlarged?

Finally, has anyone found 10-round stainless magazines that work reliably? I see USA magazines, but this brand seems to have a very poor reputation. I have some Pre-Calif-ban 30s and 20s, but I haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Any other tips for this rifle will be appreciated. Don't bother telling me it isn't accurate and should be used as a boat anchor - I'm aware of the complaints.

Doug
 
As for the red dot, I have a BSA 30mm I got for $40 on my muzzleloader, and it has withstood many blasts of 150 grains of pyrodex. The paint has started to peel, but with blackpowder that is normal. I would recommend it.
 
First of all, let me say that I really like my Mini-14/Ranch Rifles and owned 7 of them in past 16 years. Currently I have 3 of them in my safe 2 SS Ranch and 1 Mini-14.

Both of my Rach Rifles have Tasco PDP3 Red Dot scopes mounted with Ruger 30mm rings. The distance between rings is about 1mm too close to work with this scope but if you have a dremel tool it takes about 3 minutes to make it work. All you have to do is to bevel the edge of the rings on the inner side at 45 degree angle. Once you get the rings it is easy to see what I'm talking about. As for the rings, I just called the factory and offered to exchange the 1" rings for the 30mm and they just sent them to me.

The best after market magazines I found are PMI 30 round mags but they are getting hard to find and getting expensive. I use USA 20 and 30 round mags as my range mags since I don't want to take a chance on breaking my Factory 20 and 30 round mags.

Accuracy of Mini-14/Ranch rifles are not that great but they can be more accurate than people think. One of my Ranch Rifle with Red dot scope will shoot 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards when using good ammo but the barrel has to be cool for each shot. It usually takes me 10 minutes to shoot 5 shot groups but it will do it. My other rifles will shoot about 2 1/2" groups using same technique. If you do any rapid fire then the group goes to hell.

Mini-14/Ranch Rifles are in general very reliable and durable. Personally I like accurate rifles and enjoy shooting tiny groups but reliability is much more important. For this reason one of my Ranch Rifle with folding stock is kept on my sail boat on all my trips while the second Ranch Rifle with standard stock is my "truck" rifle. The Mini-14 with factory stock is my home defense rifle (instead of one of my ARs, AK, etc.).

As long as you do not need tack driving accuracy these rifles are great.
 
Proper gas pressure is essential

for reliable operation of a gas operated semiautomatic rifle. When the barrel is shortened, the bullet exits faster, thereby causing pressure to drop quicker. In compensation for the pressure drop, the gas port is enlargened by Ruger when shorter barrels are installed.
 
If you look closely at the mini 14 barrel you will notice a slight seam at the 16" mark. I'm not sure that 'seam' is a good word but you can tell a difference in the barrel at that point. I read that if you cut the barrel at that seam and recrown, that you will improve accuracy. The article also stated that you could add a H&K muzzle break/site combo and have a very nice rifle. Those that have been on this board a while may remember the thread. I searched for it but couldnt find it.

I own a 1994 Mini and love it. If I want to shoot button sized targets I'll pull out a bolt action. All I expect from a hi-cap semi auto, is to be combat accurate.
 
Thanks all for the great info. Much appreciated. Taco, your red-dot setup sounds like what I want - I'll check out the Tasco. I'm also going to consider shortening the barrel - although I think I'll try it for awhile as-is. I didn't realize there was a potential accuracy gain from this - I just like short carbines (16" ARs, AKs, M94, etc.) and thought I might like the Mini-14 to be as short and handy as possible. I'll check out the links and do more research on this.

Doug
 
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