Mini 14 accuracy

[Catpop]

Jim-----not sure what it weighs, but I will weigh tonight and let you know. As is, it is heavy and probably too heavy to have fun plinking with, but then, mini 14 owners already had a highly reliable and enjoyable plinking gun straight from the factory. My (our) quest was to see if the mini could be made MOA . AND AT WHAT COST.
I have lots more plans to try and see which one is the most economical for all mini owners. Heck, some might be as tight as I am!
*I only included some of the best targets, not to mislead, but rather to show MOA is within reach.
* the 4 pieces of keystock prototype I have dubbed "#2, the pickle fork model"
* the "#1, bayonet model" I have yet to picture.
* the last prototype pictured, I have dubbed, "#3, the 1 1/4" steel shaft model"
Hang in there guys, the best is yet to come. Enjoy
Thanks, Catpop

 

[chicharrones]

This an interesting thread you have going here, catpop!

 

[Catpop]

Question: Is 18x enough for my mini or do I need more power?

I hope so b/c a used Redfield 6x-18x followed me home today. Cost for adoption including all shots and neutering only $99. Good deal?
Tx, catpop

 

[Catpop]

Jim,
I weighed the sleeve on my wife's kitchen scales tonight when she wasn't looking. Exactly 2 pounds!
Also I am sending you a picture of new scope. I may need to get a bigger rifle. Haha
Catpop

 

[jim in Anchorage]

"] [/URL]

 

[loose noose]

Man this thread is fascinating, I did a trigger job to mine, installed it in a Choate over-molded stock, and added an Accu-strut to it, and it will shoot moa out to 100 yards. Note I also added a Vortex 2X7 scope on it. Mine is the 186 series, and wouldn't shoot worth a darn until I started monkeying with it. Much beyond that they start to wander, for example at 150 yards about 2+"s, and at 200 yards 3-3.5". Before I started working on it, at 100 yards after the first 3 rounds and the barrel started heating up they were all over the target in a stringing formation.

 

[illinoisburt]

Your experiments appear to be following pretty closely to what I remember seeing in late 1980's though the sleeved barrels weren't quite that long LOL. Honestly the most accurate mini-14 I ever saw in person would print cloverleafs and ragged 1/2" holes at 100 yards. It was an ugly bubba job. The guy had welded a a section of what looked like 1/4"x1" steel bar under the length of the barrel. I don't recall if it was welded up to the gas block or not. Anyway picture the thin side against the barrel with a heavy bead running the full length on both sides. Frankly wasn't sure how he managed to weld it without causing a bend in the barrel. Suppose it could have looked better if he had ground it smooth and finished it it something other than black spray paint.

 

[dvdcrr]

That is outstanding

 

[Catpop]

On way to 100 yard range; space permitting, hope to have more results to post- now with 20x and 55 gr fmj-bt.
Catpop

 

[Catpop]

More details tonight, but Hornady 55 gr FMJ-BT over 26.0 gr CFE shot 1 3/8" and 7/16" groups at a true 100 yds. Avg the two and there you have your MOA from a 1980s Ruger Mini 14 Ranch.
I'm excited!
Tx, catpop

 

[sirgilligan]

You did it. Congratulations.

 

[Catpop]

4-2 UPDATE
As you know I put the used 6x20 Redfield on the mini. I didn't have high enough rings as you could see from pic Jim posted for me so I had to leave upper handguard off. This caused me to have to split a plastic drink bottle to shield the gases from the scope lens.This was first firing of rifle with that scope. Took about a dozen shots to find out I couldn't get my elevation low enough. No problem as I still could get on the paper. So I proceeded to settle down and get on with business.
I found out it is really hard to hold 20x steady, but sight pic was a blessing. I had a good front rest but did not have a sand bag for the rear- so I used my coat. Not as good and I'm sure it had a little effect on my accuracy. That being said here are today's results at 100 yards with 55 gr Hornady FMJ-BT.
W C C 88. 2"
H4198 20.5 gr 1 15/16
21.0 gr 2 5/8", 1 9/16"
21.5 gr 1 13/16", 2 9/16"
CFE. 25.5 gr 1 1/8", 2 1/8" (12x)
26.0 gr 1 3/8", 7/16"
This was with the 2 pound sleeve and 20x except one group as noted.
Average of two groups with 26 CFE was .90!
I am excited to complete this stage of testing!!!!!
Catpop

 

[jim in Anchorage]

"] [/URL]

 

[ZZZ]

That three shot group on the right looks like exactly like how my newer walnut/stainless (2011) ranch shoots. First two overlap, third just high and to the right. Very interesting thread.

 

[Catpop]

Zzz, wish the old ones did.
By the way, what is the barrel diameter of your 2011 mini 14?
What is your 2011 series #?
My older 187 series is 9/16".
Tx, catpop

 

[ZZZ]

It's a 580 series. Barrel is about 3/4" at the block, and tapers to about 5/8" right up to the sight. It then steps down again to 1/2" for the last inch where the sight mounts. I'm guessing that's to use the older front sight on the new barrel???

 

[Catpop]

Zzz tx,
Not sure on using old sight as my 187 is 9/16" and has long ramp with single blade. It appears new sight has 3 blades and no ramp. Not sure what is going on there.
Tx, catfish