I got a Ruger Mini -14 for Christmas. I have just recently been able to go out and do some accuracy testing. I have a Leupold 3-9 scope on it. Shooting off the bench at 100 yards what sort of accuracy should I expect? I have tried 4 different powders in varing amounts. All have been shot with 55 gr. bullets (Hornady Vmax and FMJ-BT) So far the best I have been able to shoot is 3.5". Is this the best I am going to be able to get or am I doing something wrong?
Ruger Mini - 14 accuracy???
- Thread starter Randy1911
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kedearian
Member
i've not shot one myself, but from what i've read most people say you can get a mixed bag on them. Some people report that they get sub-moa(no proof on this), others get up to 5" spread, how much of that is the shooter or the ammo and not the gun, I cant say. But the "internet average" says that 2" at 100 yards is about par.
You just opened up a can 'o worms. Here's the deal. I wouldn't be surprised if 3.5" is the best you can get. Unless you spend about what you paid for it in refinements, bedding, stabilizer etc. I've done a lot of research on them. They are a fine ranch rifle but don't expect AR accuracy out of the box. I ended selling mine. I didn't want an AR but, I wasn't comfortable with the accuracy. But everyone has different thoughts on what accuracy actually means. I think the mini is way more fun to shoot than an AR personally.
Thanks guys. I'm not looking for benchrest accuracy. I just wanted to know if I needed to spend more time on load developement or not. It is good enough for me to go deer hunting with. Around here most shots will be in the 50-60 yard range. I just like to be able to shoot the best I can. Here is the load that worked the best for me.
55 gr. Hornady FMJ-BT
25.5 grs. H4895
Win. Small Rifle primer
Military brass
55 gr. Hornady FMJ-BT
25.5 grs. H4895
Win. Small Rifle primer
Military brass
bigfatdave
Member
New production or older?
Some of the older models weren't suitable for high-end competition, and those complaints have been blown out of proportion by the permanence of internet complaining ... ever notice how easy it is to blast a product online and so rare it is to praise it?
Some of the older models weren't suitable for high-end competition, and those complaints have been blown out of proportion by the permanence of internet complaining ... ever notice how easy it is to blast a product online and so rare it is to praise it?
I have a 196 series stainless that I bought as a LEO turn in. It the regular Ranch Rifle not the tactical model.
I added an Accu-Strut and a flash hider and it shoots about 1-1.5 MOA now.
I haven't yet had the trigger done or bedded the stock, but might well do that later.
As it shoots right now, its fine for hogs and what not.
RMD
I added an Accu-Strut and a flash hider and it shoots about 1-1.5 MOA now.
I haven't yet had the trigger done or bedded the stock, but might well do that later.
As it shoots right now, its fine for hogs and what not.
RMD
dgarvin1
Member
Through personal experience and based on what I read, a 3" group at 100 yards is the norm for a M-14.
Carter
Member
Its got plenty of practical accuracy. Its not an moa rifle, nor is it meant to be. Its good for a cheap tactical carbine, HD rifle, range rifle, or plinker.
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Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I've had four Minis, dating back to when they were first put on the market. Two blued, two stainless. What I found was that the first shot reliably went to the intended point of aim, which is really all a hunter need care about. By and large, three-shot groups tended toward 1.5 MOA, maybe 2.
"Skinny Minis" have never been worth a hoot for tight groups from the benchrest. But that's not what they're intended for. As a hunting rifle, they do just fine.
"Skinny Minis" have never been worth a hoot for tight groups from the benchrest. But that's not what they're intended for. As a hunting rifle, they do just fine.
67rschev
Member
Proof ....
581 series are very capable of shooting quite well . Ruger has done a fine job and addressed the shortcomings of the original 180 series Minis , with your latest version . You may want to take a look here , http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86 , you will find all kinds of tips and answers for any and all of your Mini questions .
madwell
Member
It seems like from reading your original post that you reload. you might want to try a heavier bullet. I've heard this solution disscused in many a mini forum. good luck
ole farmerbuck
Member
Hmm, I got a new Mini last year. I might have to shoot it and see what it'll do.
Most do not shoot particularly well. I recall when these were introduced the actual release was delayed for several months as Ruger tried to address lack of accuracy issues with the rifle. In the end, they sold the guns without making any real improvements as none seemed possible. Ruger explained that these were not target rifles (true) and were accurate enough for the intended purpose (maybe).
There is always the occasional example that shoots well (see 67rschev above) but the vast majority do not. A 3.5" group is actually not bad for a Mini 14.
Anyone besides me recall when Ruger tried to make a 308 version? The test guns shot so poorly they scrapped the project.
There is always the occasional example that shoots well (see 67rschev above) but the vast majority do not. A 3.5" group is actually not bad for a Mini 14.
Anyone besides me recall when Ruger tried to make a 308 version? The test guns shot so poorly they scrapped the project.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
3.5" would be darn good for an older, pre-580-series Ranch Rifle. My 188 series Ranch shot a best-ever group of 5.5" at 100 yards from a rest and rear bag, and I tried premium commercial loads from 40 to 69 grains. 580-series mini's, and accurized older mini's, can probably shoot 2" groups with careful load tuning. So it depends to some degree on your particular rifle.
Rokman
Member
I have two mini's from early and mid ninties and 3.5 is about par or better than mine will do. I shot one of my ar's along with one of my mini's and it was even close. The AR blew it away with the same handloads. It is a reliable and fun carbine to shoot, but accuracy of my mini's is non-existent.
Sheepdog1968
Member
I've gotten about 3" groups at 100 yards out of the newer ones. Without making mods, that's about what I think they r capable of. U have an awesome reliable weapon. For self defense or social plinking or hunting, it is as accurate as you need. If u want something more accurate, I'd buy a separate bolt action. In general, people worry, obsess about accuracy. Accuracy often leads to lack of reliablility. I'm not saying that is what u r doing based on your post. I just see that people obsess about it when it really is overrated.
MachIVshooter
Member
2.5 to 4 MOA is about normal for most factory mini's. Mine was 2.5-3 with most any load. However, once I lobbed the barrel to 14.5 (and welded on a flashhider to keep it 16" total), the average group size shrunk to about 2 MOA.
You can make a mini shoot very well, but by the time you're done, you could have bought a match-grade AR set-up and a case of ammo and still had money left over.
These guy's fix 'em up right, though, if you got the cheddar:
http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I'm guilty of that and I'm not even a competition target shooter.
I really should just accept that many rifles shoot bigger than MOA groups and get on with my life.
67rschev
Member
Just going with what On Target came up with . I mesured at .6 , so I'll go with the better of the two .....
[/IMG]Or if you dont like vertical groups , Minis will shoot horizontal groups too ...
[/IMG]Like I stated in that link I posted , Perfect Union has some great information about what it takes to make the Mini shoot as it should . You dont need a truckload of money , just a little time making some adjustments and a little ' Blueprinting ' is all that is needed . PM me and I would be glad to share any load data with you . Anything heavier than 60 gr in your 581 1 in 9 , and the groups go to pooo or about what everyone states that a ' Good ' Mini should shoot ......
ole farmerbuck
Member
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