OrangePwrx9
Member
Elmer, cruddy iron-sighted AKs shooting cheap steel-cased ammo are nothing to laugh at. 
Mini-14 - Practical Accuracy?
- Thread starter wlewisiii
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You don't need to tell me that. I love AK's enough that I've accumulated 7 of them, including 2 Romanian guns and the only one I wouldn't count on to shoot groups smaller than 9" is the Saiga12. Who knows though, maybe with slugs and an optic it might too.
It just seems to me that the OP has set his sights rather low. Virtually every rifle made should easily shoot 9 MOA.
It just seems to me that the OP has set his sights rather low. Virtually every rifle made should easily shoot 9 MOA.
Vicious-Peanut
Member
No way! They suck, most of them cant even hit the berm at the range.
Now, ask mine. It shoots 2 moa without issue.
Now, ask mine. It shoots 2 moa without issue.
good gosh people.
The regularity in which the same thread comes up again and again.
The accuracy of the mini-14 is in question ok? Its hit or miss. People may have their theories, but the proof is in the pudding.
"Practical accuracy" is an excuse term. A rifle is either accurate or it isnt.
"Offhand accuracy" is even more silly.
As a machine, is it capable? Can it shoot as well or better than other rifles in its class? Does it have some sort of redeeming value outside of its accuracy?
These are the questions that must be asked.
The regularity in which the same thread comes up again and again.
The accuracy of the mini-14 is in question ok? Its hit or miss. People may have their theories, but the proof is in the pudding.
"Practical accuracy" is an excuse term. A rifle is either accurate or it isnt.
"Offhand accuracy" is even more silly.
As a machine, is it capable? Can it shoot as well or better than other rifles in its class? Does it have some sort of redeeming value outside of its accuracy?
These are the questions that must be asked.
LeontheProfessional
Member
The models made from late 2008 to present are much more accurate than the older models. I purchased mine in April it has been plenty accurate. This rifle will shoot <2MOA all day and that is without any mods.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Mine only has to please me. No other questions are necessary.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
no matter what others think, I love my minis. both the 14 and 30 , but the mini 14 is very dear to me even though I got ARs and AKs.
I was very sour on minis after owning 4 of the older 180 series. i kept hoping I was just having bad luck, but these rifles typically shot 4-5 MOA, and it go worse after the barrel heated up.
Lat year I bought one of the new 58x series 16" tactical rifles with some trepidation. I had heard good things and decided to give the mini another try (technically, they're all ranch rifles now).
The new rifle performs very well. Shooting M855, the rifle will reliably print 2-3 inches at 100 yards. It did kill a scope, so I installed 1911 buffers at both ends of the recoil spring. The rifle is overgassed, and the op rod banging against the receiver increases felt recoil unnecessarily. it tosses brass about 30 feet.
I installed a variable gas system and found that I could reduce recoil and brass ejection by a large degree without compromising reliability. I plan to install a smaller gas port in lieu of the variable gas system to simplify and idiot proof the rifle.
It was also fairly easy to slick up and lighten the trigger, so that it is a nice two stage with a decent break at about 3.5#
After all that, the rifle will do 2 inches with handloads, but not much better. This is clearly adequate for most applications, but nothing close to what an accurized AR is capable of. Still, it makes for a simple, reliable and reasonably accurate package at around 7 pounds.
Lat year I bought one of the new 58x series 16" tactical rifles with some trepidation. I had heard good things and decided to give the mini another try (technically, they're all ranch rifles now).
The new rifle performs very well. Shooting M855, the rifle will reliably print 2-3 inches at 100 yards. It did kill a scope, so I installed 1911 buffers at both ends of the recoil spring. The rifle is overgassed, and the op rod banging against the receiver increases felt recoil unnecessarily. it tosses brass about 30 feet.
I installed a variable gas system and found that I could reduce recoil and brass ejection by a large degree without compromising reliability. I plan to install a smaller gas port in lieu of the variable gas system to simplify and idiot proof the rifle.
It was also fairly easy to slick up and lighten the trigger, so that it is a nice two stage with a decent break at about 3.5#
After all that, the rifle will do 2 inches with handloads, but not much better. This is clearly adequate for most applications, but nothing close to what an accurized AR is capable of. Still, it makes for a simple, reliable and reasonably accurate package at around 7 pounds.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Well, GunTech, I was a lot luckier. With a K4 on top, the four Minis I messed with would put the first three shots into around 1.5 MOA, which was plenty good for the occasional coyote or jackrabbit. I don't guess I ever did do any extensive paper-punching. All I really cared about was the reliability of the first shot from a cold barrel going where I intended, and they were all plenty good for that.
My gripe now is that they're priced above my interest range. Howsomever, most everything else is, also. I live in a world of unending sticker-shock. Unfortunately, it ain't gonna get mo' better...
My gripe now is that they're priced above my interest range. Howsomever, most everything else is, also.
I live in a world of unending sticker-shock. Unfortunately, it ain't gonna get mo' better...w_houle
Member
I was under the impression that they are chambered in 5.56x45?
LeontheProfessional
Member
They are. Just not the target model
hillbillydelux
Member
9" at 100 yds. Yes they will do that. Although I have flintlock muzzleloaders that will shoot better than that.
ClickClickD'oh
Member
My mini shoots minute of hog at ever range I've tried it at.
Good 'nough.
Good 'nough.
LeontheProfessional
Member
Fortunately, Rguer does not make Minis that shoot like that any more. If one does slip through that can't shoot straight for what ever reason they will either fix it or send you a new one.
Sheepdog1968
Member
I've got a 2008 mini-14 and wanted to answer this exact question. I put an inexpensive scope (like $25) on it and tried about 6 or 8 different commerical loads (various mfgs and bullet grains from 50 to low 70s; nothing fancy, just what I could easily find for social plinking to home defense stuff). I did the shooting at 50 yards and shot 10 rounds. I then dropped the worse two from each group and measured the eight rounds. The vast majority gave between 1.5" and 2" groups. I took the brand I use the most 55 grain PMC bronze (what my local shop hasin stock most of the time) that gave 1.5" as above at 50 yards and shot it at 100 yards. I obtained a 3" grou (8 out of 10 rounds) at 100 yards.
My conclusions for the day:
*My mini-14 (stone stock from the factor) can shoot about 3 MOA at best.
*The POA, POI could varry greatly from brand to brand even when shooting the same weight bullets so you really need to keep that in mind when setting the sights.
*For self defense applications it is plenty accurate.
Since then I have removed the scope. It broke after about another 150 rounds through it. I didn't really care as I prefer just iron sights on this rifle and I had bought it just for this test. I've got on the order of 1000 to 1500 rounds through the mini-14 and it's never had a malfunction. The only changes I've got from it being stock is: 1. Had local smith enlarger the ghost ring rear; painted the front sight with a bright color paint 3. Am having the local smith install a small rail on the side or bottom so I can mount a light on it. I don't plan on fooling with anything else. Yes, it ejects the brass like 20 to 30 feet but that's fine by me. I have been impressed with the mini-14 system. Much more so that I thought I would be.
I will try and upload a photo of the range results in the near future.
My conclusions for the day:
*My mini-14 (stone stock from the factor) can shoot about 3 MOA at best.
*The POA, POI could varry greatly from brand to brand even when shooting the same weight bullets so you really need to keep that in mind when setting the sights.
*For self defense applications it is plenty accurate.
Since then I have removed the scope. It broke after about another 150 rounds through it. I didn't really care as I prefer just iron sights on this rifle and I had bought it just for this test. I've got on the order of 1000 to 1500 rounds through the mini-14 and it's never had a malfunction. The only changes I've got from it being stock is: 1. Had local smith enlarger the ghost ring rear; painted the front sight with a bright color paint 3. Am having the local smith install a small rail on the side or bottom so I can mount a light on it. I don't plan on fooling with anything else. Yes, it ejects the brass like 20 to 30 feet but that's fine by me. I have been impressed with the mini-14 system. Much more so that I thought I would be.
I will try and upload a photo of the range results in the near future.
LeontheProfessional
Member
Sheepdog,
Does your mini 14 have a tapered barrel or a straight barrel.
Does your mini 14 have a tapered barrel or a straight barrel.
Sheepdog1968
Member
It's the NRA ILA model and I'm not sure.
Sheepdog1968
Member
Ok, I've uploaded the photos I mentioned in the post below. One of them shows the general results for all the various ammos tested. The close ups are of the first group (tighter of the two and labeled number six) and the last group (labeled number seven I think). They are of the same brand ammo. I shot the same ammo at the begining and end to test two things 1. varriability in my shoot and 2. if there was any impact in grouping as the barrel warmed up some. It was a cold day and I didn't blaze through but I also didn't try to wait for the barrel to cool down between shots. I think I shot all of these groups over an hour.
I should also point out this is the NRA ILA model and has the 16.125" barrel. In terms of my shooting skills, with a good 308 bolt action with a good scope, the best I can usually do is about 1" at 50 yards.
I should also point out that I didn't bother cleaning it before doing the test. I think I had something like 300 or 400 rounds through it when I did the test.
I should also point out this is the NRA ILA model and has the 16.125" barrel. In terms of my shooting skills, with a good 308 bolt action with a good scope, the best I can usually do is about 1" at 50 yards.
I should also point out that I didn't bother cleaning it before doing the test. I think I had something like 300 or 400 rounds through it when I did the test.
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reddingshooter
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- Jan 24, 2013
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i love to find someone taunting how crappy the 223 is for deer in a thread. fact is, the 223 is DEVISTATING on deer,and depending on what ammunition your shooting, it can be OVERKILL and destroy more meat then youll be able to save.
i am a licensed outfitter in california, and have used nothing for deer but a 223 for OVER 30 YEARS, with the exception of when i was younger, i shot a sako vixen in 222 for several years. i have never wounded, lost ,ect a deer i have shot with one of those two cartridges and with the 222 sako i killed a 279lb mule deer off the top of glass mountain in extreme northeastern california at 557 years and he dropped like a stone. every deer ive shot with either cartridge has dropped like someone flipped a switch and turned them off. i know that there will be someone chime in with the old "well it will work in a pinch depending on shot placement".....UH.....ok....i have an answer for that one too. of course it will, but ill guarantee you you hit a deer ANYWERE with pretty much ANY AMMO except a FMJ and that deers going down, maybe not a "clean kill" but ill guarantee you its not going anywere. in all my years i only had one single deer go any distance ( 30 yards) and that was one i foul shot in the rear ham while it was running flat out with a 55gr hornady ballistic tip. the result? i had to completely dispose of the rear ham, it turned it into shredded razzberry jello. id be happy to post ictures of all the deer ive killed with a 223 and also pictures of the damage one will do. i took those to post online due to all of the people who holler a 223 is to small, just t show them what kind of damage it will do. 99% of them are never speaking from experience, they are just repeating what they heard online, or what their buddy who shoots the 7mag said around the campfire.
this is a front shoulder off of a deer i shot with a 223. went completely thru the shoulder broke the bones and STILL took out the heart and both lings, and lodged just under the skin on the other side
think about it logically.....man is one of the hardest animals on the planet to kill, and our military uses it as a primary defense weapon.....what does that tell you
i am a licensed outfitter in california, and have used nothing for deer but a 223 for OVER 30 YEARS, with the exception of when i was younger, i shot a sako vixen in 222 for several years. i have never wounded, lost ,ect a deer i have shot with one of those two cartridges and with the 222 sako i killed a 279lb mule deer off the top of glass mountain in extreme northeastern california at 557 years and he dropped like a stone. every deer ive shot with either cartridge has dropped like someone flipped a switch and turned them off. i know that there will be someone chime in with the old "well it will work in a pinch depending on shot placement".....UH.....ok....i have an answer for that one too. of course it will, but ill guarantee you you hit a deer ANYWERE with pretty much ANY AMMO except a FMJ and that deers going down, maybe not a "clean kill" but ill guarantee you its not going anywere. in all my years i only had one single deer go any distance ( 30 yards) and that was one i foul shot in the rear ham while it was running flat out with a 55gr hornady ballistic tip. the result? i had to completely dispose of the rear ham, it turned it into shredded razzberry jello. id be happy to post ictures of all the deer ive killed with a 223 and also pictures of the damage one will do. i took those to post online due to all of the people who holler a 223 is to small, just t show them what kind of damage it will do. 99% of them are never speaking from experience, they are just repeating what they heard online, or what their buddy who shoots the 7mag said around the campfire.
this is a front shoulder off of a deer i shot with a 223. went completely thru the shoulder broke the bones and STILL took out the heart and both lings, and lodged just under the skin on the other side
think about it logically.....man is one of the hardest animals on the planet to kill, and our military uses it as a primary defense weapon.....what does that tell you
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