Mini 14 twist

[ole farmerbuck]

Can anyone tell me what the twist in my mini14 ranch rifle barrel might be? I looked it up and have found anywhere from 1-7" to 1-14".

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

NEW???

That would be 1 in 9.

If unsure of the gun's age --use the cleaning rod methed.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Thank you. So....will 55g soft point bullets be heavy enough?

 

[Flash!]

call ruger with the serial number and they will tell you when yours was made and the twist rate.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I called Ruger about a week ago and left a message with call back number. No call yet. I think its 1-9". Sure hope the 55g's will work. I have a few of them.

 

[NCsmitty]

The 55gr bullets should work regardless of the twist, it's the long heavy bullets that you can have a problem with in the original 1in10 twist barrels.
The 1in 9 was a compromise to handle everything but the real long heavy bullets over 75gr.
Realistically, the upper 60+gr bullets will perform pretty good, remembering that the standard Mini-14 is not really a target rifle.

NCsmitty

 

[Ned Kelly]

For many years they were 1 in 7 twist. I know it still was at least up until a few years ago.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I finally found it on the Ruger site. 1 in 9

 

[desidog]

Use a cleaning rod with a fixed end, and see how many inches it takes to do a full rotation. you can use some masking or electrical tape to mark a spot of the rod.

 

[edrice]

For many years they were 1 in 7 twist. I know it still was at least up until a few years ago.

I believe Ruger went to the 1-in-7 twist rate when the military went to the 62 grain bullet. The faster twist was better for stabilzing heavier bullets.

 

[Ned Kelly]

1 in 9 was all they needed to get accuracy in the gun with lighter bullets.

Now that they have a better twist rate the harmonic balancer is almost overkill.

 

[Flash!]

mine was made in 1989 and has the 1 in 7 twist....

 

[edrice]

mine was made in 1989 and has the 1 in 7 twist....

As was mine, with the 187- serial number. A good year!

There was a thread on this a few years ago -

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-67087.html

Ed

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Caliber: .223 Rem.
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Finish: Matte Stainless
Stock: Black Laminate
Barrel Length: 18 1/2"
Groove: 6
Twist: 1:9" RH
Overall Length: 37 1/4"
Weight: 6 3/4 lbs
California Approved: N/A
Massachusetts Approved: N/A
Front Sight(s): Blade
Rear Sight(s): Adjustable
Other Features: Garand-Type Safety
Suggested Retail Price: Distributor Exclusive
Miscellaneous: DAVIDSON'S Distributor Exclusive: Stainless Mini-14 Rifle with Black Laminate Stock. Ask your dealer to order this model from DAVIDSON'S.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Woops. That post was for the new mini 14's. Which is what mine is i guess.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Ok lol

 

[SquirrelNuts]

1 in 9 is perfect for 55 grain bullets.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Thats good to hear!

 

[SquirrelNuts]

I have a Mini 14 and I load Hornady 55 gr. FMJ-BT's for it. Perfect bullet length for that twist rate.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I got this mini in January i think. Laminated stock and have only shot it 10 to 15 times. Sent it to the neighbors tonight to have the scope fitted to the mounts. Putting a 3x9 Luepold on it that i took off of my 22-250. Should be plenty good. Might post a pic of it and the target if its any good. lol

 

[SquirrelNuts]

They are fun guns.