Old Mini-14 Ranch Rifle from 1994

[stinger 327]

On the iron sights (peep sight) on this rifle it's different than the new Mini-14's of today.
For elevation it appears there are a few white horizontal lines on a plate to line up with two screws attached.

On the windage it looks like a small allen wrench tool to move sight side to side.

What's the best way to get this sighted in without having to spend too much time or ammo to get it sighted in if possible?

Loosen one or both of the screws to move elevation up or down? It seems so tiny that one could go way overboard in trying to line up the lines or the piece of the sight may fall off when attempting to adjust.
Very tiny screws and small plate to handle.

Just got it back from Ruger because it wouldn't group before and they changed everything on rifle except the barrel.
I think the barrel got too hot so getting consistent patterns were impossible as it was going all over and off the paper target.

 

[desidog]

Before excessive messing around, I'd shoot it for groups and see what's what. Don't worry about hitting the bullseye, just aim for the same spot and see how it patterns....if it is tight (for a Mini!) then i'd get an aftermarket peep rear sight, or a rail & scope.

 

[benEzra]

I never had to adjust mine, and I'm glad; it doesn't look easy. Your best bet might be to loosen the screws but leave them tight enough to hold the plate fairly firmly, and gently tap it where it needs to go with a small hammer and brass punch. Otherwise you will go nuts trying to keep it from sliding while you are tightening the screws.

I believe there are replacement rear sights available as well that are more easily adjustable and give a better sight picture.

 

[stinger 327]

Before excessive messing around, I'd shoot it for groups and see what's what. Don't worry about hitting the bullseye, just aim for the same spot and see how it patterns....if it is tight (for a Mini!) then i'd get an aftermarket peep rear sight, or a rail & scope.

It used to have a scope before and it was bore sighted but there were no consistent patterns. I heard that the older Mini-14's were notorious for this and the new one doesn't have this problem anymore with the barrel heat and inconsistent groups.

 

[JWF III]

Accuracy Systems, Inc. has a great rear sight. It's styled after that of the M1A. Much more robust than the stock sight. It costs ~$80.

Wyman

ETA- WooHoo. Post #1000.

 

[stinger 327]

Accuracy Systems, Inc. has a great rear sight. It's styled after that of the M1A. Much more robust than the stock sight. It costs ~$80.

Wyman

ETA- WooHoo. Post #1000.

Actually the rear sight hole that came on this Mini-14 folds up and down which is what came from factory at that time.

 

[desidog]

Is it a Ranch rifle? does it have integral scope mounts? If so, there is an aftermarket iron made for them.

The rear BUIS on my ranch rifle sucks; i just stick to the Weaver K-4.

 

[stinger 327]

Is it a Ranch rifle? does it have integral scope mounts? If so, there is an aftermarket iron made for them.

The rear BUIS on my ranch rifle sucks; i just stick to the Weaver K-4.

Yes it's a Ranch rifle that came with scope rings but as previously mentioned I had it bore sighted and still couldn't even get it on paper-anywhere?

 

[Art Eatman]

The Mini is fine as a hunting rfile, where the reliability for hits with the first one or two shots is the most important. The Mini isn't worth a hoot, generally, for tight groups from a benchrest. I've noticed that coyotes and jackrabbits were unconcerned about group size.

As far as checking sight-in, I always begin at no more than 25 yards. It's rare that you can't hit an 8-1/2" x 11" sheet of paper that's lined for a target. (I tape it to a cardboard box.) After you see where you hit, then adjust the sights. Dead-center at 25 yards gets you on the paper at 100 yards. Roughly two inches high at 100 is plenty good for most use...

 

[Rshooter]

Williams makes a nice sight for the ranch rifle. It is an enclosed peep sight that you can actually get different size apertures for.

 

[husker]

I just put a 30 carbine peep sight from Kensight
L-T accu-strut that i found on this site http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/index.php
& a slip over the barrel type M-14 flash hider from http://www.midwayusa.com/
about $155.00 total
i have heard great things about these LT strut Barrel harmonic bars that peeps are putting on their MINI 14 & how the the STRUT takes almost all the whip out of the 14s pencil neck barrel. & can stop the stringing as she get warm & close the groups up as much as 75%. we shall see as soon as the rain stops.
PS my mini ranch is far & away the most inaccurate gun i have ever owned. i hope this works.
these parts do give the Rifle the nice lines of a real M14

 

[jeepguy]

their are alot of sight options & accessories for the mini 14. you should also check out the mini 14 perfect union forum i learned alot about the mini 14 from them. both my mini 14s a 2003 & new model 580 were already sighted in from the factory. good luck & i hope you enjoy that mini 14 they are fun little rifles.

 

[X - Man]

There is a lot that can be done to a Mini Ranch of this age in order to improve its accuracy.

One point, your Mini probably has the 1 in 7 twist barrel, and may be particular finicky with ammo.

I have a S/S ranch from 1994, and when new, suffered from the typical poor grouping problems. Last year I got busy and researched the topic. After making quite a few mods, it now shoots 1-1/2" groups at 100 yards, scoped.

It takes determination. But it can be done without extreme measures, like changing the barrel. Like JeepGuy said, go to the Perfect Union, Mini site, to learn how to do it.

As to the original Ruger rear sight, it's OK, just not super. It's more likely that the front sight is more of a problem, as it's far too wide.

If the rifle won't group well, then there are other items that should be checked out.

 

[1KPerDay]

Like you, I found the rear sight on the 1994 era ranch rifle to be a total piece of poo. I couldn't adjust mine enough to get it on the paper. I put a scope on the rifle, which is kind of the point. I would like to get a useable rear sight, though... if only because then I could get rid of the OEM one without regret.

 

[stinger 327]

The Mini is fine as a hunting rfile, where the reliability for hits with the first one or two shots is the most important. The Mini isn't worth a hoot, generally, for tight groups from a benchrest. I've noticed that coyotes and jackrabbits were unconcerned about group size.

As far as checking sight-in, I always begin at no more than 25 yards. It's rare that you can't hit an 8-1/2" x 11" sheet of paper that's lined for a target. (I tape it to a cardboard box.) After you see where you hit, then adjust the sights. Dead-center at 25 yards gets you on the paper at 100 yards. Roughly two inches high at 100 is plenty good for most use...

Luckily I was able to get some time on on the Mini-14 using PMC 55 grain bullets. I got a pattern group and was able to hit the bullseye across it and above and below. A large pattern across the bullseye. I Didn't shoot out the red circle though but did get a pattern with the peep sight at 100 yards.
I had to be careful because as the rifle started to heat up I started to get inconsistent patterns and it was all over the place but once I took my time I was able to put them in the red and around it in a group I felt better so perhaps that's probably the best I can expect on this rifle as it isn't one of those rifles that you can put through the holes consistently though I had a few of those also.

The 30.06 that I used but with a Nikon scope with BDC was able to put em in the red.
I could buy a Nikon scope with BDC for the Mini-14 but this type of rifle seems like the type of rifle you want to acquire your target fast without worrying about a scope to deal with and deal with the eye relief thing. it's more compact and handy without a scope as I can acquire a target faster with the peep sight.

 

[Art Eatman]

I don't guess I can recall a time when fast acquisition of a target was ever a real problem. I figure that accuracy beats speed, so I'll opt for precision in my sighting.

There have been occasions where the available time would have been too short for getting somewhere near the general vicinity, but it wasn't the type of sight that made any difference. If something jumps in the brush and your gun's not already pointed in that direction, fuhgeddaboutit. Dang trees don't field dress worth a hoot.