New Mini 14 Tactical 100 rounds fired...

[sirgilligan]

Just got back from shooting the new Mini 14 tactical.
Shot 100 rounds of PMC 55 grain .223 ammo.

At first shooting a bit right, then I moved the sights too much and it was left, and finally right on.

Shot it at 25 yards, out to about 60 yards, all free hand.
Had one "person" silhouette target. No problems at 60 yards hitting it in the head every shot (free standing, no leaning or resting).

Great rifle. Does exactly what is expected of it. I will clean it later today and look and see that everything looks correct and nothing unusual.

I am very happy with the purchase and I would and will recommend the rifle.

What a hoot to shoot.

 

[sirgilligan]

Cleaned it. Everything looks great!

For an open sight carbine, I would dare say that any varmints of any number of legs as big as a soccer ball are in grave danger at the 60 yards I was firing the Mini-14 today.

Because the sights are so low, it really makes the .223 round shine as a flat shooter!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

It always makes me a little happy to hear folk satisfied with their gear. It's usually only the negative you hear and I get that.

Without sending me off on a Ruger search - what's a Mini-14 Tactical? Got a photo for folk like me outa the know?

 

[husker]

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Well look at that! I like it. Do they still take Mini only mags?

 

[sirgilligan]

The do take mini-mags only. The Ruger mags are sturdy and the follower travels smoothly, so their price being $26'ish for a 20 rounder by Ruger is double that of a D&H AR-15 mag, it seems worth the price. I have one 20 and one 30.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Funny, these days I was expecting a full railed-out, collapsible stocked, bayonet-lugged wonder rifle. I like this restrained version better. Even the flash hider makes a great muzzle protector.

 

[Skyshot]

If you like optics, A 1x4 leupold make's the mini a super 300 yard shooter. And with decent ammo you can get groups around 1 1/2 to 2 inches at 100 yards. It's not a bench gun, but a fabulous little carbine.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I have a Mini-14 ranch that I've owned since 2009. Its a great carbine and will produce 1.5" groups with my handload's and premium bullets. I've got a Burris FFII 3-9x40 on mine and I love it. Its a total hoot to shoot.

 

[35 Whelen]

Glad you like your new rifle. Congrats!

I have 2011 Mini and evidently Ruger was finally able to get their "feces closely grouped" because this one shoots infinitely better than an '06 model I owned.

35W

 

[spence]

did you bbuy it from a large retailer? how much did it set you back? Thanks for the review.

 

[sirgilligan]

Bought at local gun store. $670.00. Nice price, not the best, but far from the worst.

 

[Double Vision]

Congratulations and best wishes with your Mini.
They are fun and reliable rifles, and plenty accurate enough for "soccer ball" shooting.

 

[Magog]

They make them, but you have to get in line to own one. Ruger can not keep up with demand.

 

[sansone]

glad you like it.. enjoy

 

[Downeast]

I have the same rifle. I got mine last Christmas as a present to myself

I've been quite happy with it. It's a lot of fun to shoot!

 

[splithoof]

I have a newer Ranch Rifle in .223 Rem. After developing some loads for it, 1" at 100 yards is easily done using a Leupold 2-7x. It has been 100% reliable and never in 1K failed. For my uses it handles everything. I realize that the world is now focused on all-things AR, but for me that platform has not worked all that well. The Mini platform may not have the "cool factor", but with a sturdy side folding steel stock, it has more than proven itself for my needs. After shooting many types of ammunition from premium bras-cased match loads, to ultra cheap Russian steel-cased ball, and all sorts of junk from around the world through a bunch of these rifles, I will stay with it.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I love my mini 14tactical, with a 2x7x33 Redfield, I put down many a coyote and hogs too when I check cattle. shoots nice tight 1 1/2 groups with it and I love all my minis.

 

[mattmann]

Man that is a nice rifle. Congrats and glad you like it

Sent from my DROID RAZR

 

[LAK]

Good choice. Reliable and plenty accurate for any "business", varmints - and lots of scope for just plain fun

 

[BP Hunter]

Congrats with your new Ruger! I like mine so much that I am even thinking of getting rid of my DPMS M4 - but my wife won't let me . It is very fun to shoot, very easy to clean and disassemble vs. the M4, and has suprisingly light recoil.

Good shooting at 60 yards with open sights. Go out further slowly and you will be surpirsed how fairly accurate you can shoot up to 200 yards. My brother loves borrowing my Mini 14 hitting gong targets up to 350 yards consistently with open sights!

 

[asahrts]

everyone on this post that owns a mini14 needs to send your trigger group to gundoc (greatwestgunsmithing) for a trigger job. that was some of the best firearm-related money i've ever spent. makes a huge difference.

i sent my trigger group in with a buddy's (he had already done it on his first mini14 and was doing it to a second) and we got a little discount.

well worth the money.

 

[35 Whelen]

I have a newer Ranch Rifle in .223 Rem. After developing some loads for it, 1" at 100 yards is easily done using a Leupold 2-7x. It has been 100% reliable and never in 1K failed. For my uses it handles everything. I realize that the world is now focused on all-things AR, but for me that platform has not worked all that well. The Mini platform may not have the "cool factor", but with a sturdy side folding steel stock, it has more than proven itself for my needs. After shooting many types of ammunition from premium bras-cased match loads, to ultra cheap Russian steel-cased ball, and all sorts of junk from around the world through a bunch of these rifles, I will stay with it.

I own an AR and couldn't agree more. My Mini is just somehow more practical and much, much easier to handle and maneuver about. No, not as accurate as my AR though.

35W

 

[marksg]

Glad to hear you like it. I got the mini 14 ranch for valentines from my wife. They do shoot better since the retool IMO.

If you need more 20 round clips, Midway USA has them on special this month,got 2 more on order

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I have my Christmas Rifle, a 581-series Mini-14 Ranch Rifle, that shoots one hole groups at 25 yards using a Weaver K2.5 scope. Out at 100 yards the groups open up to about 2 inches with regular XM193 ammo. The 55 grain V-Max ammo shoots tighter, but 1 inch groups aren't happening. Guess what? I don't care! I have 4 ProMag 30 round magazines that haven't hiccupped once and 2 20 round magazines (1 Ruger and 1 ProMag) that are also flawless. It's tons more fun to shoot than an AR/M16 and about half the weight of my brother's HBAR. Of course, he's hung everything but the moon and stars on it.

ECS