Opinions on bedding the action on a mini 14?

[jsalcedo]

I recently had a new barrel installed on my mini 14 at Accuracy systems and they offered to bed the rifle for $90.

I told them I would try it for accuracy and possibly do the bedding job myself.

Now I want to give it a try. Does anyone have any advice, links to resources or product recommendations?

Is it worth the hassle?

 

[mini14jac]

A bedding kit will cost you about $20 from Brownell's.
I did my last rifle with the kit, and started getting 2" groups at 100 yards with mil. spec. ammo, and open sights.

I recently got a new Mini, and I'm hoping to send it of for the $90 job.
(Not more accurate, but maybe more permanent.)

Here's a link for all the accurizing information you could ever want:
http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=55

 

[Badger Arms]

I'd love to see pictures of where these guys are bedding the stock. It might be insightful. I don't imagine bedding an entire action would be that easy given the complexity. Maybe pictures of a bedded stock so I can see what was done?

 

[AZ Jeff]

Lacking any experience in bedding a Mini, I would use the bedding procedures for an M1 or an M14 as a starting point. The Mini is relatively close in trigger group configuration to an M14, but it's receiver legs more closely resemble an M1.

Get an AMU manual, or better yet, go find an old NRA article on bedding the M1 Garand, and use that as a guideline on how to inlet and bed the stock for a Mini.

 

[jsalcedo]

Thanks for the advice.

I will check out the brownells kit and check out some articles in the

200 or so American Rifleman mags I've accumulated

 

[mini14jac]

If you click on the link that I posted above, (to the Ruger Mini 14 forum), you will find lots of info, and pictures on bedding.
That is where I learned to bed my Mini.
There is a lot of information, and lots of photos.

Mainly, you rough up the area around the where the receiver sits in the stock. Coat all the metal with release agent, apply bedding to all the rough areas, put it together under light pressure, and let sit over night.

If you want to see a picture of the "pin bedding" try:
www.accuracysystemsinc.com
As a matter of fact, if you click on the pin bedding link at ASI, you will see picture of a glass bedded stock next to a pin bedded stock.

Ruger could probably make the needed changes to the Mini 14 for $25 per gun, and have a much improved weapon on their hands.

 

[Badger Arms]

I didn't see a "Pin Bedding" link?!

 

[jsalcedo]

Thanks mini14jac.

I test fired my rifle today and I think bedding would make an improvement.

At 50 yards a 40 shot group will fit under a playing card with open sights.

I'll follow that link and post the results.

 

[mini14jac]

I didn't see a "Pin Bedding" link?!

Sorry Badger Arms, my bad.
On the Mini 14 page, about half way down, the link just says "Bedding".
Try clicking here:
http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/mini_14_30_accessories.html#bedding

jsalcedo,
Good luck, and have fun.
Take your time, and be patient.
The results are worth it, if you like the "M1 Carbine" looks of the Mini.
I've got a post on the Mini 14 forum called "I thought I glued my Mini 14 together" or something like that.
Make sure to doulbe coat all metal parts with release agent, use the clay dams, etc. All the stuff you will find on the Mini 14 Accurizing forum.

Another thing that is recommended by a lot of shooters is a muzzle brake.
There are suggestions that the barrels are too thin, or the last bit of the barrel is not good, etc.
I don't like a muzzle brake, so my gun is with Lee Hadaway as we speak, getting cut to 16.5".

On my last Mini, I did the bedding, put in the smallest gas port, and re-torqued the gas block screws.
As I stated above, 2" groups with open sights, and my eyes......
that's amazing!

I only traded it because the 1in9 twist rate is supposed to be more friendly to 55gr ammo.

I plan on getting the pin bedding done, after my barrel is cut.
Will also do the gas port.
May do a trigger job, but I'm not sure.
I don't really want a light trigger on what I would consider a working gun.

 

[benEzra]

There's a gunsmith named Mike Knifong over there that sells a video he made on how to bed a mini-14; I think it goes for $10-$20.

 

[Doug444]

I got Mike's video and it's pretty informative, though not high on production quality (it IS home made ). One day I'll actually use it and bed my Ranch rifle. I hope. Someday......

 

[Badger Arms]

That sight has bushings also. Cool. I've been looking for them and they have three sizes cheap. What's the standard size bushing? Here's a picture of the bedding job:

 

[mini14jac]

Glad you found the pictures!

If you decide to bed the gun yourself, you can add some brown dye so that it doesn't look quite as bad as the picture.
Besides, none of that is visible when the gun is assembled.
I think I actually used more compound when doing my gun than they did in their example.

I ordered the bushing set.
If you order the Mini 14 set, they only send 2 bushings.??
The Mini 30 set has 3.
(I called and had them explain this, but I can't remember exactly what they said.
It may be that the first bushing is so close to the original Mini part that there is nothing to be gained.)
I'm not sure what size the standard bushing is, but compared to the two they send, there is a big difference.

I have some old Norinco ammo that is pretty weak, and using the smallest bushing, I got a few failures to extract with that ammo.
When I get my gun back from having the barrel cut, I think I'll try the middle bushing.
I like not slamming the bolt any more than is needed, but I also like a gun that is not ammo-picky.