New Mini-14 range report.

P

Prof Young

New member
Semi-Auto Fans:

I finally took the Mini-14 to the shooting range.

I have two ten round John Masen magazines and one five round Ruger. The Masen mags took some breaking in. They jammed a lot at the beginning but were working much better by the end. I suspect that expert filing of some edges would help, but I don’t know if I’m that expert. The gun came with two 20 round Ruger magazines, but here in the socialist kingdom of Illinois, buying those is no longer permitted. My LGS is also a shooting range and they can legally keep them for me until king pritzger is dethroned and the ban is lifted. The five round Ruger mag jammed once. I went through all three mags four times.

It took a while to get use to the sights. I wear trifocals so it’s always an adjustment. I hadn’t planned on putting a scope on this gun, but it came with scope rings so I may give that a try. (There might be a rifle scope in the optics bin in the tool room. Hmmmmmm . . . . )

At 25 yards, standing, with my elbow on the range shelf I could easily get five-inch groups of three. Taking my time and making my best effort I could get 3-inch groups.

I’ve wanted a Mini-14 ever since I first saw one, but they are pricey and word on the streets said the accuracy was not good. From what I’ve read, Ruger has addressed the accuracy issue, so we’ll see. They are still pricey.

As noted above, in my socialist state, by way of executive order and a state supreme court that pritzger bought and paid for we can’t buy new AR-15s or anything of that ilk, and the previously owned ones are supposed to be registered with the state. (I don’t recall the numbers, but those that registered is a tiny fraction of those out there.) Anyway that was part of the motivation to make this purchase now. The Ranch Rifle version of the mini-14 doesn’t classify as “that kind of gun." The newer Tactical version of the mini-14 does classify as that and hence can no longer be purchased in IL. (Are we having fun yet?)

This is a shoot-for-the-fun-of-shooting gun. I suppose it could be a good coyote and ground hog gun, but I have a Ruger American bolt action that would be a better choice for that purpose, at least for me.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

Life is good.
Prof Young
 
Well, Prof, I know ARs but have always been "cuted out" by the Mini 14 and wanted one so I envy you, at least in your purchase. Last I heard, Ruger was touting a redesign gas block and barrel that had solved the previous "walking" issues. Apparently early Mini 14s suffered from barrel expansion issues. You'd get them zeroed and the shots would string vertically. I'd love to see what you found!

Bob
 
accuracy

I'm thinking your Mini should shoot into 3-4 inches at 100 yds! Shooting the .223/5/556 indoors is abusive. Get the scope, some sandbags and find an outdoor range. The accuracy you are describing at 25 is pretty dismal. Find a place you can bench the rifle and shoot without suffering all that blast and concussion, I bet the rifle and you do better.

Our early 1980's Minis would shoot shoot palm sized groups with most shooters during our 50 yd, 30 rd qualification course. That was shot standing, sitting, kneeling, prone and from standing support with a barricade, 10 rds -30 seconds. I don't think we ever benched one to see what it was capable of accuracy wise. They all (well, 6 rifles) ran like clockwork with Ruger 20-30 rd mags and 55 gr ball ammo.

I will offer this, get a good durable scope. The mini's are scope killers. I went through several budget scopes on my Mini30 until I put a Leupold on board. The slam bang action will knock a cheap scope silly in short order.

As before, I like Mini's and hope yours turns out well.
 
Always liked Minis.

Bought my first AR in 1984, first Mini shortly thereafter.
I've probably had eight or so ARs, and about five Minis.

Still have a couple of each, and I know that in theory (I won't say "on paper" LOL) the AR is a superior platform, but I'm not much of a rifleman...just an occasional plinker.

But there is just something about the Mini--I'll go ahead and say it: my Mini-30 is my favorite centerfire rifle.

Now if it came down a choice between the Mini-30 and the 10/22, it would be a tough choice...if I die with one rifle in the safe, it will likely be one of those two.
 
Get a stainless strut. The aluminum ones will stretch and won't hold onto the gas block tight enough. Mine took groups down a lot so I can get that kind of accuracy at 50. I was getting 10 inch plus at 100 when I first got my mini.
 
Thanks for the range report Prof Young. I appreciate it when folk come back and tell us 'the rest of the story' i.e. how things turned out.

If you take any of the suggestions here about increasing the accuracy of the rifle I hope you'll come back and tell us about it.

Since it's a brand new rifle, if it were me, I'd shoot it some more before I made any changes and it's sounds like you're have fun with it just as it is.

Good luck.

P.S. Bamaranger had an interesting post on the rifle being tough on scopes. I wonder if a red dot would do any better...for all I know red dots might be even more prone to breaking.
 
in my decades of experience with Mini 14 rifles, I have found them to perform far better in person than many commentators have reported.
Enjoy yours!
 
Mannlicher said:
in my decades of experience with Mini 14 rifles, I have found them to perform far better in person than many commentators have reported.
Enjoy yours!
Click to expand...
I’ve owned one Mini 30 and two Mini 14’s in my life and with a little trigger work plus a good hand load they’ve all been solid 2 MOA or slightly better shooters. Maybe I have just been lucky.
 
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