ruger mini-14
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TimboKhan
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Well, this is a pretty loaded question, and your going to get a lot of different answers. This is just my opinion, and there will be people that disagree, but here are my thoughts on the Mini-14.
1. Very fun rifle to shoot.
2. Not sub-moa accurate, or even MOA accurate, but good enough for plinking, and I have found that they actually are pretty accurate from a cold barrel.
3. Though I have yet to see one, the new Ruger Target Mini is, by all accounts, extremely accurate.
4. Don't waste your money on anything but Ruger factory mags. Some guys have had success with off-brand mags, but the general consensus (and one that I agree wholeheartedly with from experience) is that non-factory mags blow.
5. I honestly don't know if the new ones are better in the accuracy department than the older ones. There seems to be conflicting opinions on the boards about that. What I will say is that in my opinion, Ruger has went past the price I am willing to pay for what essentially amounts to a blaster for me. $450.00 for a fun and neat little gun I can live with. Past that, I feel like I would be better off just buying something else.
With all that being said, I enjoy my Mini. It's fun to shoot, functions great with Ruger mags, and is adequate for targets under 200 yards. I happen to like the factory sights, but they are nothing special. If you can pick one up used for a good price, and if you are wired such that you can accept a gun that is theoretically a pretty good platform but practically has some flaws, especially when compared to virtually any off the shelf AR or Saiga, you will enjoy it. If you can't, I really don't think I can recommend it.
1. Very fun rifle to shoot.
2. Not sub-moa accurate, or even MOA accurate, but good enough for plinking, and I have found that they actually are pretty accurate from a cold barrel.
3. Though I have yet to see one, the new Ruger Target Mini is, by all accounts, extremely accurate.
4. Don't waste your money on anything but Ruger factory mags. Some guys have had success with off-brand mags, but the general consensus (and one that I agree wholeheartedly with from experience) is that non-factory mags blow.
5. I honestly don't know if the new ones are better in the accuracy department than the older ones. There seems to be conflicting opinions on the boards about that. What I will say is that in my opinion, Ruger has went past the price I am willing to pay for what essentially amounts to a blaster for me. $450.00 for a fun and neat little gun I can live with. Past that, I feel like I would be better off just buying something else.
With all that being said, I enjoy my Mini. It's fun to shoot, functions great with Ruger mags, and is adequate for targets under 200 yards. I happen to like the factory sights, but they are nothing special. If you can pick one up used for a good price, and if you are wired such that you can accept a gun that is theoretically a pretty good platform but practically has some flaws, especially when compared to virtually any off the shelf AR or Saiga, you will enjoy it. If you can't, I really don't think I can recommend it.
bhk
Member
I have a newer 580 series mini, returning to the platform after trading off a stainless mini Ranch Rifle a few rears ago. Yes, my new one is more accurate than the one I traded off, and it doesn't seem to have the wandering zero my old one did. I have not spent much time trying different ammo, but mine shoots to about 2 1/2 inchs (five shots/100 yards) with the cheap White Box or Remington 45 grain hollow points I use to reduce the chance of ricochets in the farm country I reside in. Not as accurate as my Sako .223, but perfect for the farm/truck gun service my mini is assigned. I am confident the rifle would do better by trying different bullet weights and loads.
The sights on the new mini are MUCH improved over the older folding Ranch Rifle sights. The new rear sight resembles an Ashley rear sight with protective wings. The new front sight is black with protective wings. The rear sight is easy to adjust and I see no way in the world that it could change zero or get knocked loose. After I set these sights, I mounted a Burris 4x on mine.
On average an AR will probably shoot a little better, be easier to maintain, and cost only a little more. But I really like the sporting style stock of the mini over the military style rifles. I have been shooting sporting-style stocks for almost five decades and it is really hard to switch now. Plus, when it is on the passenger seat of my truck (coyote ready) the locals don't do a double-take like they would with an AR.
The sights on the new mini are MUCH improved over the older folding Ranch Rifle sights. The new rear sight resembles an Ashley rear sight with protective wings. The new front sight is black with protective wings. The rear sight is easy to adjust and I see no way in the world that it could change zero or get knocked loose. After I set these sights, I mounted a Burris 4x on mine.
On average an AR will probably shoot a little better, be easier to maintain, and cost only a little more. But I really like the sporting style stock of the mini over the military style rifles. I have been shooting sporting-style stocks for almost five decades and it is really hard to switch now. Plus, when it is on the passenger seat of my truck (coyote ready) the locals don't do a double-take like they would with an AR.
glockman19
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I bought a mini-14 earlier this year and like it a lot. I got a Ranch rifle with synthetic stock & Stainless barrel. I paid over $600. The newer mini's with serial #580 are much more accurate than the older ones. Teh barrel is heavier & thicker.
Kimber1911_06238
Member
if i was spending the money i'd save a few hundred more and get an AR. if you want a mini...go for it
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I would say definitely, definitely buy new if you have your heart set on a mini.
The older mini's were definitely hit-or-miss regarding accuracy; the new ones appear to be better, though how much better is debated.
The best group my 188-series Ranch Rifle EVER fired, from a benchrest and rear bag, was 5.5" at 100 yards. I tried optics, match ammo in various weights, etc. and that was the best that my particular rifle would do. Reliability was 100%, but the accuracy was awful.
The new ones will probably do 2"-3" groups at that range with good ammo, which is a significant improvement.
The older mini's were definitely hit-or-miss regarding accuracy; the new ones appear to be better, though how much better is debated.
The best group my 188-series Ranch Rifle EVER fired, from a benchrest and rear bag, was 5.5" at 100 yards. I tried optics, match ammo in various weights, etc. and that was the best that my particular rifle would do. Reliability was 100%, but the accuracy was awful.
The new ones will probably do 2"-3" groups at that range with good ammo, which is a significant improvement.
Mannlicher
Member
I got my series 188 Ranch Rifle in 1994. It has proven accurate (two inch groups at 100 yards) and very reliable. The only modifications I have done were to add a recoil pad (to increase the LOP), and add a John Masen flash hider. I currently have an EOTech 511 on it.
The original Mini-14 had no provisions for mounting a scope, and the Ranch Rifle was a variant that had mounts, a flip down rear sight and IIRC had the ejection tweaked. All Minis currently in production are Ranch Rifles, though they did away with the folding sight on the 580 series.
andrewdl007
Member
The main difference I know of is that the Mini-14 ejects spent casings straight up in the air, so you cant mount a scope. The ranch rifle has a deflector so that the casings are thrown to the side, thus allowing a scope to be mounted.
col_tapiocca
Member
I'm happy with my Mini 14 with factory folding stock. It's not one of the current production. But its a funny small rifle. I'm not rue about my purchase any time.
Here is a pic of my mini 14
Accuracy up to 200 m (220 yards) is acceptable.
For longer distance shot I'll take my Swiss K31 or Stgw90 (Sig 550).
But I guess mini 14 is made to be funny and not to be accurate
Here is a pic of my mini 14
Accuracy up to 200 m (220 yards) is acceptable.
For longer distance shot I'll take my Swiss K31 or Stgw90 (Sig 550).
But I guess mini 14 is made to be funny and not to be accurate
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bhk
Member
As Adrewd1007 said, Ruger only offers one version now - the Ranch Rifle. It has both a very nice, solid rear sight and scope rings. Mine is stainless and I bought it new, on sale, for about $550 a year or so ago.
TimboKhan
Member
Well, if the new ones are more accurate than the old, I will retract what I said about finding a used one.
See, for me, this is what makes the Mini viable in today's market. While it isn't new in terms of it's action, it is different. I said it like 5 times in my first thread, but I will say it again: These are, if nothing else, fun guns to shoot. I have an AR, I love my AR and I think all things being equal, I would choose an AR over a Mini. When it comes to just having some fun, about the only rifle I enjoy shooting more than my Mini is my K31.
See, for me, this is what makes the Mini viable in today's market. While it isn't new in terms of it's action, it is different. I said it like 5 times in my first thread, but I will say it again: These are, if nothing else, fun guns to shoot. I have an AR, I love my AR and I think all things being equal, I would choose an AR over a Mini. When it comes to just having some fun, about the only rifle I enjoy shooting more than my Mini is my K31.
Ejection on my Mini-30 was rather violent. In retrospect, it would have benefited from an adjustable gas block.
Since the OP wants something different, how about an AK? 7.62x39 is cheaper and more available than 5.56x45 these days...
Since the OP wants something different, how about an AK? 7.62x39 is cheaper and more available than 5.56x45 these days...
I have a 188 ir 186 series. I can not recall which.
Knowing what I know now I personally would have bought something else. There are a lot of rifles that interest me that cost about the same.
Of course, you mentioned that you wanted something in .223 and that you already own an AR.
I'd buy a CZ 527 bolt action carbine if I were you.
Knowing what I know now I personally would have bought something else. There are a lot of rifles that interest me that cost about the same.
Of course, you mentioned that you wanted something in .223 and that you already own an AR.
I'd buy a CZ 527 bolt action carbine if I were you.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Well the Mini-14 and Mini-30 are called the "ranch rifle". Sure they aren't sub moa, or even moa, but I can totally see me carrying one on a ranch.
TimboKhan really hit the nail on the head. Mini's are fun to shoot and can throw lead reliably. The only aftermarket mags worth a darn are PMI but they have gone out of business and you will pay dearly for them. I have 2- 30 round and 2- 40 round PMI mags that I replaced the follower with Ruger followers and they function perfect. I also have 4- 20 round Ruger mags and they function flawlessly as well. I have close to 250 dollars wrapped up in those mags...
I put my mini in a Choate dragonov stock with cheek piece. I have a Harris bi-pod and a Burris 3x9x40 scope mounted on it. It now has the EBR look and is a blast to shoot. Personally, I think they are more reliable than an AR and no gas venting in the receiver. There are ways to accurize the mini if you're willing to screw around with it. I like my rifle. It's an older 184 series. For all I spent on the rifle, mags and accessories, It's just about what I paid for my Bushmaster HBAR.
I put my mini in a Choate dragonov stock with cheek piece. I have a Harris bi-pod and a Burris 3x9x40 scope mounted on it. It now has the EBR look and is a blast to shoot. Personally, I think they are more reliable than an AR and no gas venting in the receiver. There are ways to accurize the mini if you're willing to screw around with it. I like my rifle. It's an older 184 series. For all I spent on the rifle, mags and accessories, It's just about what I paid for my Bushmaster HBAR.
Sunray
Member
The Mini-14 isn't accurate enough to justify the MSRP. My Plainfield M1 Carbine will shoot circles around any Mini-14 with its iron sights.
The new "target" version hasn't been out long enough for anything but gun rag praises. It runs nearly a grand MSRP.
The new "target" version hasn't been out long enough for anything but gun rag praises. It runs nearly a grand MSRP.
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