New mini 14's

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Longbow

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Ruger said that its been re-engineered to give better accuracy. If it can do groups <4" @ 100 yards and the current price stays the same, I might line up for one. :)
Anyone got more info on this?
 
Handled a "new" one in the store----and disliked it so much---I bought an old style stainless Std Mini-----cause they're not makin them anymore.

I need another .223 cal rifle like another hole in the head---but I figued I'd get this while the gettin was good.
 
>4" at 100yds should be easy as pie with any mini off the shelf. I have only heard of a few people who claimed six inch groups at 100yds, and I always thought they couldn't shoot. My 181 (1980 manufacture) pulled 3-3.5" off the shelf for the first 5 rounds easy. After that, it opened up (usually POI went lower and lower) to 5" or so. Ultimak's scout mount, which ties the gas block to the barrel right after it tapers, did away with that sixth or seventh shot flyer, and closed my groups down to 2.5" or so at 100 yards with 45 or 55 gr. walmart winchesters and a 2-7x40 Swift scope ($100). I also have a $40 barrel shroud and $40 flash hider/H&K style sight from Cabela's to try to stiffen up/increase mass on the barrel. They went on the same time as the Ultimak, so they might get partial credit. Hell of a lot cheaper than a Volquartsen barrel.
 
Please tell me why someone would buy a Mini-14 when they could have an AR for another $150?
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Or an SKS, firing a superior round, for less than half the price.
 
>4" at 100yds should be easy as pie with any mini off the shelf. I have only heard of a few people who claimed six inch groups at 100yds, and I always thought they couldn't shoot. My 181 (1980 manufacture) pulled 3-3.5" off the shelf for the first 5 rounds easy.
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Most of the more accurate mini's I have ever heard of are earlier models like yours. I have a 188-series Ranch (1988 or 1989 manufacture) and the best group it has ever shot is 5.5" at 100 yards, from sandbags and a cold barrel. Hot-barrel groups are closer to a foot.

I'm looking at having the barrel shortened and adding one of the HK-style sight/flash hider things when I get a chance, in hopes of helping things a bit.
 
My understanding is that Ruger's tooling for making the Mini had worn out. They used the opportunity to slightly reengineer the Mini, and simplify the line (no more standard mini vs. ranch rifle, it's all ranch).
 
As long as Ruger is being so freaky about magazines with over 10 rounds, they can keep their new shiny Mini.

I have a series 181 in the closet gathering dust.
 
My mini was cut to 14.5" with a pinned and welded votrex for an OAL of 16.5"
Very pleased with the 2.5" groups, This is about as good as a Mini will shoot without going to a heavy bbl. Pic is 2, 100 yd groups, adjusting sights
 
Or an SKS, firing a superior round, for less than half the price.
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Please, pleeeeaaassseee do no start the old 7.62 vs. 5.56 debate again...that horse is beat, rotten and stinking....also which one loads faster: SKS or mini?

MaceWindu
 
Please tell me why someone would buy a Mini-14 when they could have an AR for another $150?I guess they wouldn't. But you can buy a good used mini all day for $400, maybe less. You can't get a AR, even used for $600. So its more than a $150 difference. More like a $300 difference. Also Minis don't have the ARs get-dirty-no-work problem. Also they shoot when ARs will freeze up (not much use in AL, but WTH, I threw that in too).

Most of the more accurate mini's I have ever heard of are earlier models like yours.Ruger said that its been re-engineered to give better accuracy.My understanding is that Ruger's tooling for making the Mini had worn out.He who can see how these three statments go together understand why shooters expect the new Minis to be more accurate.

As long as Ruger is being so freaky about magazines with over 10 rounds, they can keep their new shiny Mini.Tell me, do you also boycott Chevy and Ford because they put speed limiter chips in their trucks? I mean, if its a big deal, you can still get an aftermarket chip (or magazine or folding stock, or flash hider). My mini has a choate folder, flash hider, weaver rails all over it, Ramline hicaps doubled up sticking out of it right now, that is what I think of what Bill Ruger intended for me to do with his gun, but I can't see the point in whining about Ruger not making hi caps. Good quality hi caps are not hard to find.
 
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