Mini 14 Ranch Target

I've handled one straight off the rack but never shot one. from what I've read there is an accuracy upgrade over the standard mini but most of them being 3/4 MOA 1 1/4 MOA rifles.
I'm pretty sure at least one member here has one I know I've seen some pictures of them posted so hopefully they'll come along and give you better information.

Were I personally looking for a heavy barrel mini-14 I would probably offer an accuracy systems package.
https://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/Mini-14-30-Letter.php

Howland937 said:

....was never impressed with their accuracy. ...

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Accuracy was improved by making some changes to the barrel and the gas system starting with serial numbers 580- and up, easily identified also by the visible barrel taper just forward of the nose cap. The pic in the post above shows the pre-upgrade rifle.

You need info on... "A Mini 14 Target?"

Respectfully,

Howland937 said:

Looks just like this one. View attachment 980410

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That ain't right...

Get one that looks more like these and have a good time.



My Mini-14 is one of the most fun rifles I have. Is it a target rifle? Not even close.

Am I the only one laughing that Ruger's *Ranch* and *target* are in the same sentence?

Yeah, I know.... It's all better now.

After all, there are in fact, such things as grenade targets, right?

Todd.

Howland937 said:

I did think the whole "mini 14" and "target" in the same title felt weird.

So this one shouldn't be expected to be as accurate as the newer version? Does the adjustable barrel tuner really help anything?

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The Targets are all 581 series guns i believe....at the very least built after the retooling.
My standard 581 would easily hold 1.5"s and be closer to 1" most of the time, which isn't fantastic but plenty good enough for a light weight carbine. The Target rifles I've read about usually take tinkering but are often capable of 1/2 that.
ASI guarantees there conversions, and they do most of the mods I would do on any mini. Personally I think its a easier way to go.

isn't the target the one that is .223 Remington and not .223 Cal 5.56? being a tighter chamber, and can only shoot .223, thus more accurate?

A “target” can be any size and even if you aim for the center of one, that doesn’t ensure your always going to hit that spot.



I have shot some that are more accurate than mine but none that could out shoot a decent AR.

I have a 582 Mini 14, and in the manual that comes with it under ammo, it does state that the target models are to use only .223, NOT .556. it doesnt say why, thats all it says.
Dave

I think that instead of looking at the Mini-14 as any kind of a "target" rifle (ie "sub-moa") it should be compared to the M14, which it emulates as a "lite" version of. Anybody have any experience comparing the two wrt accuracy?

Rebel Dave said:

I have a 582 Mini 14, and in the manual that comes with it under ammo, it does state that the target models are to use only .223, NOT .556. it doesnt say why, thats all it says.
Dave

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CYA more than anything because it’s not really that big of an issue.

The mini 14 other than price is perfect for what it was designed to do. It was never designed to be a precision rifle. It’s just fine if you need something on the farm or if you need a decently capable battle carbine. It’s also great in areas where scary black guns are hated.

It’s really the one going I’ve ever had that I regretted selling. I bought mine used but practically new for about $400-$500 (a newer 581 series).

daniel craig said:

CYA more than anything.

The mini 14 other than price is perfect for what it was designed to do. It was never designed to be a precision rifle. It’s just fine if you need something on the farm or if you need a decently capable battle carbine. It’s also great in areas where scary black guns are hated.

It’s really the one going I’ve ever had that I regretted selling. I bought mine used but practically new for about $400-$500 (a newer 581 series).

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I use an AR for my home defense and general plinking rifle when I want more than a 22 but not one of my larger caliber rifles, but you could replace it with Mini 14 and I wouldn't really consider it much of a downgrade if you ignore cost and aftermarket support. Mini's are cool rifles and at least the more modern versions are accurate enough for the intended purpose. If I were going to buy a Mini I'd get the 7.62 version so it didn't overlap as much with my AR, but I don't intend to because I do think they're pretty overpriced for what they are.

Mine was $950 new about a month ago, but I put a new stock on it for around $230.

Howland937 said:

Thanks everyone. I don't currently own any semi-auto centerfire rifles, but had been considering picking one up. Prices on all things are inflated right now but I ran across this one with a little ammo. It's priced at $800, which seems really high but the AR's that were $500 this time last year are now $800. Mostly just thinking about mitigating loss to the extent possible compared to the cheaper AR's if I don't end up liking it.

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https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...e-15-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-kit.html

Throw that on a lower receiver and you've built a pretty good AR with some nice features for not much over $800, even in the current inflated environment.

"I've read" that the Target has a true (or truer than run-of the mill Minis/Ranch rifles) .223 chamber and should not be fired with 5.56. As noted above. Take that for what it's worth. I think they're really cool rifles and I dig the way the Target model looks, personally. The wags can make all the fun they want of minis... which really has nothing to do specifically with the Target model. Let us know how it shoots!

Howland937 said:

Thanks everyone. I don't currently own any semi-auto centerfire rifles, but had been considering picking one up.

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I don't want to start a whole *thing* but my perspective is this.

1. I have sold every Mini of any caliber that I have ever come across - but one - after worrying over what it was NOT.

2. I have lived in; Massachusetts, Minnesota and most specifically California spanning the *Ban* years.

3. What's being; said, openly debated and waters-tested around the country scares me to my core regarding what I may be allowed to buy or even retain in the future.

4. The Mini in my safe right now.... The one I have not yet gotten around to selling? Is NEVER for sale anymore and I wish to hell I'd kept the 300 Blk too!

Gonna possibly be a time coming soon many of us regret looking down on and not taking a Mini seriously from the perspective of what it was designed for rather than for what it does not do.

Todd.

Bwana John said:

You need info on... "A Mini 14 Target?"

View attachment 980430

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Excellent!!!!

My Mini 14 has been around a long time. It was used when I picked it up in the 80's.

It is definitely one of my all time favorite scatter guns

I have one and like it. Put an adjustable gas bock on it and had it threaded for suppressor use.
If all you do is bolt your gun to a shooting bench? Yea you'll be disappointed. If you actually go out and shoot at stuff you won't be able to tell the difference.
I prefer the Mini charging handle and safety too.