Accuracy differences of the Ruger Mini 14 16.5" versus 18" barrels?
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benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I don't have experience with shorter barreled Mini's, or new Mini's in general (mine was a pre-revamp Ranch Rifle from 1989, and accuracy wasn't good) but the general consensus on the Mini-14 Forums is that having a gunsmith cut-and-crown the barrel to 16" and adding some muzzle weight, like a heavy flash suppressor, tended to tighten up groups. The commonly given reason is that the mini-14's barrel is rather thin and "whippy" as barrels go, and launching that heavy op rod off the gas block sets up bending moments. Shorter barrels have much smaller bending amplitudes, so it stands to reason that going shorter would mean more accuracy, if the barrels were otherwise the same.
If you are using an optic or scope, the only downsides of a shorter barrel are a little less velocity, and a little more muzzle blast, which the flash suppressor helps.
If you are using an optic or scope, the only downsides of a shorter barrel are a little less velocity, and a little more muzzle blast, which the flash suppressor helps.
Carl N. Brown
Member
In general, the harmonics of the 18" barrel are bad, especially the original thin barrel. The 16.5 barrel is stiffer and does not whip about, and is less sensitive to heat changes.
The bird cage flash hider makes it harder to get debris (mud, pine needles) in the muzzle while in the field, and serves as a muzzle protector, which is important since like the M1 Carbine, the Mini14 is cleaned from the muzzle rather than from the breech.
I thought about buying a Mini-14 decades ago, my cousin has a Mini14 which I have shot recently. So if I were to decide to buy a Min14 today, I would look seriously at the 16.5 barrel with birdcage muzzle protector.
I have also heard that a longer barrel gets around the harmonics problem with the 18" (which apparently has a lot to do with the location of the gas system on the barrel and the way the barrel and gasblock bed in the stock).
The bird cage flash hider makes it harder to get debris (mud, pine needles) in the muzzle while in the field, and serves as a muzzle protector, which is important since like the M1 Carbine, the Mini14 is cleaned from the muzzle rather than from the breech.
I thought about buying a Mini-14 decades ago, my cousin has a Mini14 which I have shot recently. So if I were to decide to buy a Min14 today, I would look seriously at the 16.5 barrel with birdcage muzzle protector.
I have also heard that a longer barrel gets around the harmonics problem with the 18" (which apparently has a lot to do with the location of the gas system on the barrel and the way the barrel and gasblock bed in the stock).
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