Looking for a Fun, Accurate Rifle.
- Thread starter Joe7cri
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possum
Member
what do you mean in the way of accuracy, what do you consider accurate?
the mini's aren't to good out to the ranges that you said above, with some after market pieces here and there and soupin' it up you might get good accuracy, but then you run into the fact of buying the rifle all the upgrades and someone to instal all of it and that will be alot of money in the end.
don't get me wrong i like alot but they are lacking in the accuracy department, well by my standards.
what is your price range and what caliber would you be thinking? .308, 7.62x39, .223 etc?
by the way welcome to the forum!
the mini's aren't to good out to the ranges that you said above, with some after market pieces here and there and soupin' it up you might get good accuracy, but then you run into the fact of buying the rifle all the upgrades and someone to instal all of it and that will be alot of money in the end.
don't get me wrong i like alot but they are lacking in the accuracy department, well by my standards.
what is your price range and what caliber would you be thinking? .308, 7.62x39, .223 etc?
by the way welcome to the forum!
Skofnung
Member
I think an Ar-15 would suit you better than a Mini-14 if you want a gun that is both fun and accurate.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Welcome Joe 
Well I like my Mini but ''accuracy'' from a std Mini - sorry - won't happen. Out of a five shot group even at 100 yards - one flier will almost always spoil things. That's my own 2c anyways.
If you don't mind upping the cal then a FAL in 7.62x51 would suit quite well. Still hardly an MOA rifle but as semi's go - capable of very reasonable results.
Some folks might suggest an AR category - tho there again you may not get the accuracy you want - much might depend on the actual example, plus costs are up there. Well so is the FAL too come to that.
Think more on your caliber options and what you might be able to spend - this might help narrow the field. But for now, leave out the Mini unless you want to throw significant bucks at one to tweak it.
An M1 also might be a thought - if 30-06 is acceptable, and price!.
Well I like my Mini but ''accuracy'' from a std Mini - sorry - won't happen. Out of a five shot group even at 100 yards - one flier will almost always spoil things. That's my own 2c anyways.
If you don't mind upping the cal then a FAL in 7.62x51 would suit quite well. Still hardly an MOA rifle but as semi's go - capable of very reasonable results.
Some folks might suggest an AR category - tho there again you may not get the accuracy you want - much might depend on the actual example, plus costs are up there. Well so is the FAL too come to that.
Think more on your caliber options and what you might be able to spend - this might help narrow the field. But for now, leave out the Mini unless you want to throw significant bucks at one to tweak it.
An M1 also might be a thought - if 30-06 is acceptable, and price!.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
The mini-14 is a fun gun, but not an accurate gun. My 188-series Ranch Rifle has shot a best group ever of 5.5" at 100 yards, from sandbags. That's pretty lousy compared to a decent AR-15.
Mini's can be made more accurate, but they are generally not accurate out of the box, although there may be some rare exceptions.
Mini's can be made more accurate, but they are generally not accurate out of the box, although there may be some rare exceptions.
scotty
Member
I agree with the advice given above. A mini-14 is definitely fun but a target rifle out of the box it is not.
I have a stainless ranch rifle that is box stock with the addition of a Leupold Vari-x II 1-4x scope. I've never really fired it for groups, but I seem to recall 3-4" groups at 100 yds when I sighted in the scope. For a little perspective, I used it once for a 3-gun match. One stage had targets at 180 yds. There were four ports to fire through, the first was high enough to require standing. The subsequent ports were progressively lower and the final port required you to go prone. Speed was of the essence, so taking a lot of time to aim was out of the question. Most of my shots landed in the A zone of the IPSC metric targets which measure approximately 6" wide by 11" high. If I had to say a group size, I'd say around 8". I was spanked badly by more experienced 3-gunners with tricked out AR's on this stage, but it was great fun.
I have a stainless ranch rifle that is box stock with the addition of a Leupold Vari-x II 1-4x scope. I've never really fired it for groups, but I seem to recall 3-4" groups at 100 yds when I sighted in the scope. For a little perspective, I used it once for a 3-gun match. One stage had targets at 180 yds. There were four ports to fire through, the first was high enough to require standing. The subsequent ports were progressively lower and the final port required you to go prone. Speed was of the essence, so taking a lot of time to aim was out of the question. Most of my shots landed in the A zone of the IPSC metric targets which measure approximately 6" wide by 11" high. If I had to say a group size, I'd say around 8". I was spanked badly by more experienced 3-gunners with tricked out AR's on this stage, but it was great fun.
mordechaianiliewicz
Member
Get an OlyArms AR Plinker; I got one. It's like a more expensive AR at a fraction of the price.
2k5Adam
member
+1 on the AR-15. A good Bushmaster or RRA will do the trick.
beerslurpy
member
Kel-tec SU16? As much fun as an AR15, for half the price and twice the reliability.
Thanks for the advise.
I can only spend $700 or $800 right now, but I guess I'll save a little more so I can go with the AR 15. I didn't realize the mini 14 lacked accuracy.
Is it true that the .223 is more accurate than the 7.62x39, or is it that the AR 15 is just more accurate than the AK 47?
Thanks again for all your help and advise!
I can only spend $700 or $800 right now, but I guess I'll save a little more so I can go with the AR 15. I didn't realize the mini 14 lacked accuracy.
Is it true that the .223 is more accurate than the 7.62x39, or is it that the AR 15 is just more accurate than the AK 47?
Thanks again for all your help and advise!
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Joe, even the 7.62x39 out of a good platform can be quite accurate - meaning a rifle as against semi like AK. Generally tho, for me anyways - the ''groupability'' of that round from SKS's and AK's is not brilliant and I reckon 200 yards is about useful max on a good day!
.223 is capable of IMO good 300 yard shooting in good equipment tho - that light bullet is very affected by wind drift. Probably a good .223 is where you want to go if .308 FAL for instance not being considered.
The platform is usually what determines the usefulness of a cal.
.223 is capable of IMO good 300 yard shooting in good equipment tho - that light bullet is very affected by wind drift. Probably a good .223 is where you want to go if .308 FAL for instance not being considered.
The platform is usually what determines the usefulness of a cal.
armoredman
Member
Or go funky, and get a Dragunov clone from SOG for $500. Ammo is cheap as all get out, if you can stand 10 round mags that are a little high priced.
Ammo is cheap as all get out, if you can stand 10 round mags that are a little high priced.possum
Member
that will be plenty to get a good used ar-15, i come across good deals on great ar-15 rifles all the time back home in N.C. i personally buy used any chance i get, it saves you money that you can put towards ammo and other various things plus they are normally broke in and ready to go. That is what i would do, buy a used like new, good looking ar-15 style weapon.
Here's the thing...
If you want to shoot accurately at 200-300 yards, a semiauto just means extra cleaning, and a LOT of extra money to get the same accuracy as with a bolt action. You won't be shooting rapid fire at 300 yards.
Perhaps consider a smaller-caliber semiauto and a larger-caliber bolt action.
Mini-14 is a fun gun in a great package. But a 300 yard target rifle it's not. Hell, it's not much fun to punch paper at 100 yards with it, but reactive targets are always fun. And it's flat-out not worth the money Ruger now charges for it. I have one in stainless and xytel, and it's well worth keeping since I have it. But I wouldn't walk out and buy one again for $600+.
For that money, you can get a decent bolt action to shoot stuff 300 yards away, and an SKS or something to play with. Or, the newest version of the Kel-Tec SU-16 is nice, and it folds up for convenient storage.
Or, you can go with an AR, and have a gun that you can build out with several calibers, barrel lengths, etc., for little more than the price of a Mini these days.
If you want to shoot accurately at 200-300 yards, a semiauto just means extra cleaning, and a LOT of extra money to get the same accuracy as with a bolt action. You won't be shooting rapid fire at 300 yards.
Perhaps consider a smaller-caliber semiauto and a larger-caliber bolt action.
Mini-14 is a fun gun in a great package. But a 300 yard target rifle it's not. Hell, it's not much fun to punch paper at 100 yards with it, but reactive targets are always fun. And it's flat-out not worth the money Ruger now charges for it. I have one in stainless and xytel, and it's well worth keeping since I have it. But I wouldn't walk out and buy one again for $600+.
For that money, you can get a decent bolt action to shoot stuff 300 yards away, and an SKS or something to play with. Or, the newest version of the Kel-Tec SU-16 is nice, and it folds up for convenient storage.
Or, you can go with an AR, and have a gun that you can build out with several calibers, barrel lengths, etc., for little more than the price of a Mini these days.
cracked butt
Member
M1 garand if you reload. I've never seen anyone able to suppress a smile after shooting one. An unissued YUGO SKS will probably be a good shooter (mine is) if not, get the trigger worked over and it should be.
Get a higher-end AK in 223,like a Robinson VEPR or a Vector RPD.Better accuracy than a run-of-the-mill Romanian,and reasonably accurate at the range you mentioned.If you're looking for a tack-driver though,as much as I personally don't like the AR platform at all,they are more accurate at a distance.Think AK=6"-12" group at 300 yards,AR=4"-10" group.More accurate,but not much more unless you buy a match grade rifle.Fun factor?The AK(any AK) hands down...
Foxtrot427
Member
- Joined
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look at CETMEs FALs and ARs. With $700-$800 you could get a nice gun.
rangerruck
Member
Saiga in 223 or 762.39 with a 16 in bbl, get you some high cap russian or german mags, witha dremel tool, takes about 10 minutes to mod them to work in the saiga. now you have a 16 in bbl, semi auto that you can use 30 round mags in. me likey! plus you can get the rifle for 250 to 300 bucks, depending on where you look.
You could probably get an AR for about 700... How much would it cost to build a decent AR15? Stripped lowers are what $100.... Complete upper $400ish... other stuff $200...
this would be a bit easier
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=46516597- Lower/stock~ 269
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=46213151- upper RRA ~435
this would be a bit easier
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=46516597- Lower/stock~ 269
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=46213151- upper RRA ~435
My Mini-14 is about as accurate as my AR w/ a CMMG midlength upper
But that is because I sent my Mini-14 for accurizing work by Accuracy Systems. It is subMOA, but it also cost more than an AR. At the time, the Mini-14 and SU16 were the only options in this state.
I would probably go for the AR, if accuracy is one of the objectives.
But that is because I sent my Mini-14 for accurizing work by Accuracy Systems. It is subMOA, but it also cost more than an AR. At the time, the Mini-14 and SU16 were the only options in this state.
I would probably go for the AR, if accuracy is one of the objectives.
I shoot an Armalit AR-180B. The gun can be bought for $650 easily. It fires .223 so it will reach your range. Furthermore, the gun is light, has a folding stock, accurate, and extremely reliable and simply built. It will cost a little more than the mini 14, but you get a much better and cooler gun.
accurate rifle
I would recommend the Swiss k31 . A high quality very accurate bolt action rifle for under $150.00 . Several places have them still, but there running out. Good distributers are AIM, Classic, Samco, F.G.S.inc. . Here are some typical k3's... OOPS! ,Your looking for semi-auto ,sorry, disreguard my post.
I would recommend the Swiss k31 . A high quality very accurate bolt action rifle for under $150.00 . Several places have them still, but there running out. Good distributers are AIM, Classic, Samco, F.G.S.inc. . Here are some typical k3's... OOPS! ,Your looking for semi-auto ,sorry, disreguard my post.
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Foxtrot427
Member
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There are also the su-16 rifles, they cost lesst than what you are willing to spend so you could tacticool it out.
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