Got my Grail gun finally. A mini 14.
- Thread starter CoalCrackerAl
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CoalCrackerAl
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Happy Birthday to you too. 
Speedo66
Member
But I do enjoy working on & improving the Mini-14’s accuracy & enjoyability so VERY much!
Here’s a quick video of the last trigger job I did for a member here. I also added an Overtravel stop after the video.
That would be me....
Thank you David, horrible from the factory, but came out light and very smooth, super job!
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CoalCrackerAl
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I ended up putting a scope on it. Instead of messing with the irons. Will it harm the gas system. If i do the initial zero with light loads? 9 grains of green dot. I know i'll have to cycle it via the slide lever. Just trying to conserve rifle powder. I used up what was left in my open varget bottle last night. I have one lb bottle left. Im almost out of IMR 4895 too.
David Hoback
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Which ain’t a bad deal actually. Especially for accuracy shooting. Simply turns it into a “Straight Pull” Bolt Action. And a very FAST one at that! I’d do the same with reloads for my ARs.
David Hoback
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Something along these lines with a decent trigger & the Mini is a pretty solid performer.
WrongHanded
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I can't imagine how it possibly could. There's a hole in the barrel that sends gas through a chunky block, and blows it out into the far end of the op rod. Too much pressure could damage the op rod, but too little won't do anything any harm.
David Hoback
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No amount of pressure ANY 223 ammunition delivers will damage the gas system. It’s one of those “Superstitions”, along with believing Dry Firing will damage a firearm!
BigBlue 94
Member
Not really. The NFA made full auto highly restricted in 1934. The predecessor of the mini wasnt even invented then. New automatic anything has not been built since 1986, except dealer post-samples and military/LE contracts.
The AC556 was Ruger's full auto Mini. There were a few versions. The AC556-F was what the A-Team was supposed to be using. The F came with the folding stock and the sight blade was mounted on the gas block. The local State Police used the AC556 up until the late 90s when they went to the M4.
Full Autos are still 100% legal to own federally, but some states do not allow them: even my gun loving state of KS doesn't allow them. A full auto is no harder to get than an SBR, SBS, or silencer. Just loads of paperwork and very in-depth background checks The cost of said weapon is what keeps them out of the common man's hands. Even a piddly MAC series pistol will run you near $10,000. A Thompson may double or triple that. Want an MG42? Better take out a second mortgage.
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CoalCrackerAl
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It's zeroed at 50 for now. The sun was working it's way around and i was getting glare. So i stopped there. The shots at the top red dot are at 50 yards. With the Varget loads. I had to do 2 mag dumps too lol.
That barrel is waaaay too long!
Happy birthday OP! Hope you like your new Mini as much as I like mine
Here's a load mine likes, might have different twist as mine is an old pencil bbl(-5.5")
Open sights, Tech rear.
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BigBlue 94
Member
That barrel is waaaay too long!
View attachment 1097418
Happy birthday OP! Hope you like your new Mini as much as I like mine
Here's a load mine likes, might have different twist as mine is an old pencil bbl(-5.5")
Open sights, Tech rear.
View attachment 1097419
Where did you get that F model front sight???
Seriously considering cutting my 187 series barrel down to 16 or 18". I just got my A-TM folder. I love the looks of the gas block front sight. I have pretty well determined ill have to make my own.
The Tactical model i just got has the techsights on it. They focus really well for me.
Found it on eBay, think it was $70-$80, but was in 2014
Where did you get that F model front sight???
Seriously considering cutting my 187 series barrel down to 16 or 18". I just got my A-TM folder. I love the looks of the gas block front sight. I have pretty well determined ill have to make my own.
The Tactical model i just got has the techsights on it. They focus really well for me.
Found this! If available, boy did I overpay
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1156200
Looks to be OOS, didn't see that on my phone search, but see it now on the PC.
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BigBlue 94
Member
70 to 80 is wayyyyyyyy too much but worth it when you cant find them and ruger wont sell them. Numrich is the only place ive even seen one for sale, even though its out of stock.
Yeah, paid 65 plus shipping. I have 1100 into the whole project, including 6 20rd factory mags, flash hider, stamp, Tech sight, front sight, gunsmith labor. Got a pretty cool AC-556F clone after all that
Rifle shoots better too!
BigBlue 94
Member
Stamp for what? Is it an SBR?Yeah, paid 65 plus shipping. I have 1100 into the whole project, including 6 20rd factory mags, flash hider, stamp, Tech sight, front sight, gunsmith labor. Got a pretty cool AC-556F clone after all that
Happy birthday and congratulations. I've always thought of the Minis as being fine rifles. Still, no matter what you do, it will never be a tack driver. I wouldnt tear my hair out trying to fine that load that will magically turn it into a MOA shooter. Appreciate it for what it is and enjoy shooting it.
When I had a Mini, I ran it with two optics. Either a 30mm tube red dot or a Weaver V3. I had a Ranch model and the available rings made this easy to do. I often miss it, especially when I'm humping around and the rifle isn't a main part of my reason for being there.
The mini is a so easy to carry, especially with a flush magazine and more than accurate enough.
When I had a Mini, I ran it with two optics. Either a 30mm tube red dot or a Weaver V3. I had a Ranch model and the available rings made this easy to do. I often miss it, especially when I'm humping around and the rifle isn't a main part of my reason for being there.
The mini is a so easy to carry, especially with a flush magazine and more than accurate enough.
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OP
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Im happy with the group after my last scope adjustment. It was better than i thought i would get. After hearing all the stories about them not being very accurate. Next outing i'll see how it does at 100 yards. I have cheap center point scope on it for now. That scope sure makes it around testing new guns.
WrongHanded
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On accuracy: I went and shot 50 rounds through my mini about a month ago. It was at 100 yards off a bench and front bag, with a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x. The ammunition was HSM 62gr FMJ. Results were 5 shot groups all inside 3", some inside 2.5", none smaller that 2".
I shot pretty fast, the barrel got hot, POI drifted a little. Perhaps that would be less noticable with irons, or perhaps not. Maybe accuracy would be better if I used better quality ammo. Oh well.
That scope and the rings are pretty heavy though. And I remember the days when I only shot it with irons. So I took the scope off again. I like the handling much better like that anyway.
So yeah, mine's no tack driver either. And if I were any kind of marksman, it might even annoy me a little.
I shot pretty fast, the barrel got hot, POI drifted a little. Perhaps that would be less noticable with irons, or perhaps not. Maybe accuracy would be better if I used better quality ammo. Oh well.
That scope and the rings are pretty heavy though. And I remember the days when I only shot it with irons. So I took the scope off again. I like the handling much better like that anyway.
So yeah, mine's no tack driver either. And if I were any kind of marksman, it might even annoy me a little.
Speedo66
Member
Normally the first post regarding a Mini is immediately followed by a second post stating that the Mini is a piece of overpriced inaccurate crap and you should get rid of it and buy an AR. Here we have 70 posts and it hasn't happened.
Proud of you guys!
Proud of you guys!
Affirmative, 13” bbl
WrongHanded
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I had a friend who spent around $1400-1500 on a Daniel Defense AR back in the early 2010s, and I had just spent $750-800 on my mini a few years earlier (2010 according to the Ruger serial number lookup).
Neither of us could get that DD to shoot under 4" at 100 yards, even with a fancy Eotech. Some ARs can shoot 1 MOA, but obviously not all of them.
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Electrod47
Member
Ahhh... The Mini-14,,,summer of 1967 home on 10 days leave before going overseas.. Got in a dust up with the local PD...Just trying to have a little fun before leaving "The World"....had a court date for 2 weeks out, so CID puts me in a holding company at Ft. McArthur San Pedro, CA. Got me washing vehicles at the Motor Pool and pulling Guard Duty at night at a Radar Sight on the Coast. First night I show up they issue me a rifle. Never had seen it in my life......What the heck, I say. A "Mini-14" Huh?...this is Spring of 67 and I had never heard or saw one before. Took the .223 round. ...Judge dismissed my charges, thanked me for my service....enjoyed my extra leave. Met the girl I'm married to til this day.
amd6547
Member
The Mini that interests me is the Mini 30. That seems like a nice package.
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