Range Report- Post Cryo

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NotSoFast

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If it shot ok with to begin with then why mess with it?

And if the company said it would improve accuracy and didn't, I would call them and either ask for a re-cryo or your money back.
 
If it is a Mini-14...

Then it was probably an earnest attempt to improve that firearm's capabilities, which has a poor reputation for accuracy.

It's why I've sold both my Mini-14 and Mini-30. I could've got them to probably shoot better, but the time, money and effort were better spent on AR and AK variants.

IOW, you can indeed make a tack-driver out of a Mini-14 if you want, but be prepared to invest accordingly. Otherwise, accept the gun for what it is and be happy with it.
 
The Mini-14 isn't known for great accuracy. Its a good little rifle but not if you want tiny groups.

Your group seems to show some vertical stringing, this is typical of the mini-14.
 
briansmithwins - Mini-14, 55 grain PMC Bronze, 100 yards with 5 mph wind from behind. I was shooting 2"-3" groups before. The stringing/walking is gone though, now I just need to get tighter groups.

Vityaz - the group is 4.3". Before the cryo job they were 2-3" after it would warm up and stop walking.

Deer Hunter - I had the cryo job to stop the stringing/walking which was horrendous until it warmed up. Even after it warmed up before, it would walk 3" just changing magazines.

Gewehr98 - I like the Mini-14 and plan on investing some more in it, maybe $400 at best. But that still doesn't compare to what I understand a top of the line AR costs. After I'm done I'll probably have $1200 in it max.

mgregg85 - I think this was more barrel flip than walking. The fact that they were this close from the start is proof of that. Before, when I would start, I couldn't even see the first shot on the target. By about the third shot I would be within 3" low of the bullseye and by five I would be on the bull. This time I was about this close from the start, which tells me the walking/stringing is gone.
 
Mini-14's are not known to be accurate. I do not think cryo would make a marginal rifle anything but marginal.


Maybe you should enjoy plinking with the mini-14 and save the cryo money for a decent rifle at a later date?
 
my mini was acceptably accurate. i just had to make sure to handload at just off the lands. i couldnt get much out of factory ammo.

you might also try one of those damper rings. i hear they can calm down the stiff mini barrel
 
Gewehr98 - I like the Mini-14 and plan on investing some more in it, maybe $400 at best. But that still doesn't compare to what I understand a top of the line AR costs. After I'm done I'll probably have $1200 in it max.
Click to expand...

I don't think you need to spend $1200 on a good shooting ar, but since you like your Mini 14 stick with it dude.
 
bed the action that is a proven way of increasing accuracy

then look at your gas block and make sure the screws are ineven and torqued correctly
 
$1200 would be better spent on another firearm IMO. My bone stock saiga .223 will shoot much better groups than that and cost a whopping $270 out the door. They can still be had for easily for $320 out the door. If I was after real accuracy in a semi I would be looking for a heavy barreled AR. A solid shooting AR-15 can be had for $1200 as well.
 
This is just my personal opinion and it's free, so take it for what it's worth. I would take the $400 that I was prepared to sink into my Mini-14 in a seemingly vain attempt to enhance its accuracy, and save it towards a better shooting rifle.

IMHO, most any box-stock AR-15 will likely produce much better accuracy with the same ammo under the same circumstances. What you're trying to do is to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse, and it ain't gonna happen. Not for $400, anyway. It's just the nature of the beast.

You enjoy your Mini-14, so I'd say keep it and invest in some better hardware.

If you're determined to continue to tweak the Mini, then I would contact these folks: http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php

Good luck!
 
lonegunman - too late. lol And the cryo jog did correct a problem so I'm satisfied with that part.

janobles14 - Did you mean a buffer pad? I tried one but it wouldn't fit. The stock got in the way. Maybe if I get desperate I'll try it again.

mgregg85 - the resonance of the barrel. When things are not quite right it will throw off the bullet leaving the barrel.

fubb - I wish it was 500 yards and iron sights. I don't think I could see the target with iron sights at 500 though. :uhoh: 9x40 at 100.

Deer Hunter - I already have $900 in it. Starting over is out of the question at this time. Besides, I have much more accurate guns if I want that. Thanks, I will stick with it.

paintballdude902 - Hmmm, Gas block - I'll recheck that. Thanks. :)

Girodin - See my comment to The Deer Hunter. I also have much more accurate rifles if I want pure accuracy. I want to improve this over what I have.

nicholst55 - Thanks but I have confidence in GunDoc. http://www.greatwestgunsmithing.com/ is my preference.
 
Just a general note.

I prefer the Mini-14 over the AR because I like the looks and it doesn't look like an "evil black rifle". Nothing against those, I just would rather have something else.

Mini-14 can be made to be much more accurate than what mine is doing. I like the challenge of getting there, just as some of you like the challenge of making the Ruger 10/22 accurate. :D
 
I'd suggest cutting and crowning the barrel to 16" and fitting a Smith Vortex flash suppressor (or any other heavy flash suppressor), to lower the amplitude of the barrel harmonics. This has a good reputation, and makes the rifle handier to boot.

Get a smaller gas port bushing (Mike Knifong sells those cheap) to reduce the WHAM on the gas block (and therefore the barrel bending moment) when the bullet passes by the gas port. Stock mini-14 gas blocks are HUGE and are responsible for the high-powered case ejection.

Mike Knifong also sells a video on how to glass bed the stock, if you're interested, capable, and want to put that much effort in it.

Mini-14 Accurizing Forum here:

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=106
 
Twist rate ?

Hey There;
I may try a heavier bullet as already sugested. Not sure what twist rate you have . but that may bring it in. Loose scope or bad one???

I agree . I have seen some minis toss some very tight groups...
 
I prefer the Mini-14 over the AR because I like the looks and it doesn't look like an "evil black rifle". Nothing against those, I just would rather have something else.

Mini-14 can be made to be much more accurate than what mine is doing. I like the challenge of getting there, just as some of you like the challenge of making the Ruger 10/22 accurate.
Click to expand...

Ok, first, try not to sound like a FUDD here. That's a bad thing. Just say you're from California, and cannot have an AR. That'll go over easier with all of us AR owners.

Secondly, it's a hell of a lot easier to get a 10/22 shooting tiny little groups than a Mini-14. A lot cheaper, too. Trust me. ;)
 
Have you had the trigger improved? My Mini will shoot 2.25" groups at 100 yards but the trigger is pretty bad. Great West gunsmithing will improve the trigger for about $60 plus shipping and all you have to mail in is the trigger assembly.

Another fairly inexpensive fix is to shorten the barrel to 16" and then install some type of muzzle brake or flash hider. I've heard that the Choate M-14 style can help with the harmonics.
 
benEzra - Thanks. I started out on Perfect Union. That's a great place for tips. :)

FMJMIKE - Thanks for the positive, uplifting advice.

Wildfire - Nope, the scope was tight. And it hadn't changed from before the cryo job. I'm still thinking the barrel has the wrong resonance now.

Gewehr98 - We can build ARs in California now. :) I'd just rather have my Mini-14. I think it's purty. :D

TBeck - I think GunDoc's Package B, Trigger job, stock bedding, recoil buffer and gas port bushing set and a muzzle brake, is what I'm going to get next. Thanks for reiterating this for me. :)
 
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