MINI Accuracy

[Welding Rod]

I have a 186 series Mini 14, built in '93, that I have only shot 3 or maybe 4 times. My uncle left it to me.

Anyhow it seems the accuracy is pretty reasonable. I shot it for comparison purposes in an online match on Arfcom today. Match is sitting, kneeling, or standing, 15 rounds in 5 minutes, no sling or any kind of support allowed, on a particular target ( a 6 inch diameter AR15 bolt face), at 100 yards. With S&B 55 grain FMJ, sitting, I shot it in the 6 inch range. The trigger is horrible but the mechanical accuracy doesn't seem too bad.

It was nice to see the barrel didn't string it's shots from the skinny barrel as it heated, as some Minis have done.

If you would like to see the target it is here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/619213__OFFICIAL_ARFCOM_AR_NON_MOA__SHTF__CHALLENGE__.html&page=8

 

[briansmithwins]

Not to rain on your parade but three rounds per minute isn't fast and 6MOA isn't good.

For comparison, either of my AKs will do 4.5MOA with Yugo M67 ball.

BSW

 

[carbine85]

Not to rain on your parade but three rounds per minute isn't fast and 6MOA isn't good.

For comparison, either of my AKs will do 4.5MOA with Yugo M67 ball.

You have 2 unusual AK's given that the typical AK only shoots around 4-6" MOA and you that you are getting 4.5" unsupported. The standard sights on an AK hardly support 4" MOA.

To the OP - Mini 14's have a wide range of accuracy. It mostly depends on when it was made. Ruger wore out the tooling before they retooled and some of the Mini's really suck. It sounds like yours is decent. The one that I kept is an old 183 I bought new. It will shoot around 2" rested. Others I have owned did anything from 3" to 6".
The triggers are very heavy. A trigger job goes a long way. Bedding the receiver helps a lot. The stock sights on the older ones simply suck. I installed a front sight ring with a narrow post on the 183 and was very impressed with the improvement.

 

[ID-shooting]

"The stock sights on the older ones simply suck."

This is where I feel most of the inaccuracy of a mini-14 comes from. That big, wide, front blade does nothing for tight aiming. I scoped my 181 series and was consistently (15/20 rounds) ringing a 500yd gong from sand-bag supported position once I got it dialed in.

I plan to swap out the front blade to something smaller, then I am considering an Accu-Strut if I still want to tighten things up.

While not a long-range BR target rig, they can and do shoot really darn tight considering their intended design.

 

[Welding Rod]

Brian - No rain.

Honestly, I will believe that you can do 4.5 MOA will both of your AKs and ball ammo on that test when I see it.

If you do the test outlined on page one of the link I posted, and post pictures here of the result as outlined in the link's instructions, for both of your AKs that is 4.5 MOA or better, I will be VERY impressed. Then my parade might get a little wet : )

 

[Fishbed77]

You have 2 unusual AK's given that the typical AK only shoots around 4-6" MOA and you that you are getting 4.5" unsupported. The standard sights on an AK hardly support 4" MOA.

My 7.62x39mm converted Saiga will shoot 2.5 MOA easily.

 

[Jackal]

My 7.62x39mm converted Saiga will shoot 2.5 MOA easily.

either of my AKs will do 4.5MOA with Yugo M67 ball.

People, you fail to see the point of the original post. He says unsupported, free hand at 100 yards. Stating your guns are more accurate from a bench than his is standing/free hand is just plain silly and very derpish. I bet his mini would group better off a bench as well. Anyone who claims 2.5" groups free hand, with irons, prove it.

 

[Fishbed77]

No. I understood perfectly.

 

[jmr40]

This test is more a test of your skill than the rifles ability. Pretty meaningless way to find out how accurate the rifle is.

Using a rest and optics most Minis will shoot 2-4 MOA. You find the rare rifle that will shoot a true 1 MOA. That is perfectly acceptable for most uses. But if you want true accuracy I've yet to see an AR that wouldn't keep 3-5 shots under 1 MOA with good ammo. Many are easily capable of .5 MOA.

That doesn't always translate into better field accuracy. Many people holding a true .5 MOA AR would shoot no better than you did under the same conditions.

 

[carbine85]

People, you fail to see the point of the original post. He says unsupported, free hand at 100 yards. Stating your guns are more accurate from a bench than his is standing/free hand is just plain silly and very derpish. I bet his mini would group better off a bench as well. Anyone who claims 2.5" groups free hand, with irons, prove it.

Exactly

 

[jeff-10]

S&B 55 grain FMJ

Of all the ammo I that have put through my 2 Mini14's, S&B 55gr FMJ and Georgia Arms 55gr reloads have been the least accurate, so to me what you did is even more impressive.

 

[M1GarandDeerHunter]

My 181 series was inherited as well, showing honest use. 52 gr remanufactured ammo grouped 2-3 inches at 100 yds rested. I was honestly impressed. My Mini now goes places with me, as a utility rifle. Thinking about a different front sight and maybe tech sights in back as well as trigger and bedding. (hey it was inherited) Mine seems to have promise. It is also utterly reliable. I used to not like them, now I do. It has earned its place.

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

Welding rod, good shooting! Just don't let brainsmith get any where near it, with his dirt sifter! I witnessed a new model Mini 14 shoot 3 shot groups you could cover with a dime, @ 100 yds. last weekend.
This of course with optics. Mine shoot very well too, all 181-183 series, must have been made before the tooling was worn out. A lot of guys will put cheap aftermarket synthetic
folding stocks on mini's, the action doesn't "bite" into these stocks well, and they also flex, this and the wrong diet cause more poor mouthing of this rifle than anything else.
Sounds like your uncle left you a winner, sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[itsa pain]

anytime I had a front site to thick I just filed it to where I liked it