Mini 14 .223/5.56

[stinger 327]

Does the new Mini 14 made today still shoot erratic groupings when barrel gets hot?
I know the old ones did made in the 90's.

 

[Tony50ae]

Not nearly as bad! I have the new one and the barrel being beefier helps a lot. I had an old one and that one when the barrel got hot the point of aim changed and groups opened up. My new one cuts that by at least half.

 

[BruceB]

Personal experience withTWO 2010-built Mini-14 rifles, both with handloaded 55 VMax bullets:

My rifle has a Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4.5X scope and my amigo's rifle has a Leupold VXIII 3-9X scope.

Neither rifle has ever fired a factory-loaded cartridge.

BOTH rifles will consistently group five of those Hornady bullets in less than 1.25" at 100 yards, and frequently will group right around the one-inch mark.

For our purposes, that is highly-satisfactory and we are "happy campers".

These rifles are both from the later production with heavier tapered barrels.

 

[stinger 327]

Not nearly as bad! I have the new one and the barrel being beefier helps a lot. I had an old one and that one when the barrel got hot the point of aim changed and groups opened up. My new one cuts that by at least half.

I can remember after 6 slow shots the bullets started to go everywhere but the paper target.

 

[Tony50ae]

I can remember after 6 slow shots the bullets started to go everywhere but the paper target.

Wow! That was a very bad rifle! Even my old one wasn't that bad! I think you will like the new ones much better. They are heavier but the added weight is all in the new barrel.

 

[stinger 327]

Wow! That was a very bad rifle! Even my old one wasn't that bad! I think you will like the new ones much better. They are heavier but the added weight is all in the new barrel.

How is the Mini-30 in 308 compared to its Mini-14 counterpart in .223/5.56?

 

[Tony50ae]

The mini 30 is actually 7.62x39, not 7.62x51or 308. And I am not sure having never owned or shot one. However while this forum is great, this forum might be able to answer all questions related to the mini 14/30. Still check here at this forum though!

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/

 

[cowpoke]

I have a older mini 30 with a 2x7 scope. At a 100 yds with almost any us maid ammo it will put 5 rounds in a 3 in circle .

 

[HammsBeer]

My stainless 580 series with the newer barrel with shoot very well...when cold. After a couple mags the groups will open up by 50%.

But these were never intended to be target rifles, and I wouldn't suggest dumping a lot of money into them trying. They are a fun range gun that can double as a defensive rifle (lots of prisons used them). If you keep that in mind, then you will be happy with it.

 

[stinger 327]

My stainless 580 series with the newer barrel with shoot very well...when cold. After a couple mags the groups will open up by 50%.

But these were never intended to be target rifles, and I wouldn't suggest dumping a lot of money into them trying. They are a fun range gun that can double as a defensive rifle (lots of prisons used them). If you keep that in mind, then you will be happy with it.

This is true our gun towers in prison use the Mini-14 and I am not sure if they use scopes or open sights and do they use .223 ammo or 5.56 ammo.

 

[stinger 327]

Wow! That was a very bad rifle! Even my old one wasn't that bad! I think you will like the new ones much better. They are heavier but the added weight is all in the new barrel.

It was a beautiful rifle in stainless with a composite stock and matching scope. A looker but at 100 yards couldn't even get it on paper. Glad I got rid of it. Might get a new Mini-14 or M1A .308-Expensive.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

My stainless 580 series with the newer barrel with shoot very well...when cold. After a couple mags the groups will open up by 50%.

But these were never intended to be target rifles, and I wouldn't suggest dumping a lot of money into them trying. They are a fun range gun that can double as a defensive rifle (lots of prisons used them). If you keep that in mind, then you will be happy with it.

Identical to my thoughts. Happy with the 580 series that I have. I like the Garand, m1a, mini-14 style and strongly prefer it to an AR. Actually prefer a lever action above all. If you want a newer mini-14 I think you will like it.

 

[Swing]

I've shot pretty much every variant of the Mini, except the 6.8mm, over the decades and never had a serious problem with accuracy. I'm sure there are lemons out there. And I know it is no tack driver. But some of the accuracy complaints I, frankly, suspect are overblown. That and some of the Mini bashing threads I've seen over the years reminds me of that scene in Blazing Saddles with "I didn't get a harumph outta that guy!"

 

[stinger 327]

Identical to my thoughts. Happy with the 580 series that I have. I like the Garand, m1a, mini-14 style and strongly prefer it to an AR. Actually prefer a lever action above all. If you want a newer mini-14 I think you will like it.

What is the average price of a Mini-14 Ranch style stainless steel these days?
I would also like to add one of those extra strong wood stocks that have lines running across the whole stock that come in various colors-Composite stock but is not plastic.

 

[stinger 327]

My stainless 580 series with the newer barrel with shoot very well...when cold. After a couple mags the groups will open up by 50%.

But these were never intended to be target rifles, and I wouldn't suggest dumping a lot of money into them trying. They are a fun range gun that can double as a defensive rifle (lots of prisons used them). If you keep that in mind, then you will be happy with it.

The only additional items I would add would be a Nikon scope and a composite wood stock.