BSA1
member
I spent 15 years or so regular trigger time with the Mini-14 and have never used MOA and Mini in the same sentence.
first everyone says the problem with mini is it is pencil thin from the gas block forward. now the problem has switched from the chamber forward. the standard mini barrels measure the same OD as M1A M1 garand AK etc except the mini is thicker because of a 22 hole drilled in it. the target is heavy from the gas block forward. national match M1A's shoot tiny groups with standard and medium profile barrels. some guys keep comparing this target mini to 1985 minis. I bet ruger will find the problem and it will be fineI would certainly expect better accuracy than what the OP is reporting out of the "target" model, but I believe MOA or better is the exception rather than the rule.
I believe there are two ways to improve the accuracy of a mini, both of which I have seen.
1) Chop the barrel. I had my 196 series stainless cut to 14.6", recrowned and a FH welded. Went from 3-4 MOA to ~2MOA. I was shocked, honestly. My purpose was not accuracy, but it proved a fringe benefit.
2) Send it to ASI and spend a small fortune. I have seen what their builds can do, but it doesn't come cheap. Expect to drop a grand or better with them for a true bull barrel, sub-MOA mini.
The Factory Ruger bull barrel and any of the aftermarket "drop-in" types are a joke, being a standard profile barrel from breech face to gas block. As R.W. said, a faux bull barrel.