Shooting LEO match, need help

[Titan6]

I am going to shoot a LEO regional match in a few weeks. I have all the guns I need except a good rifle in .223. The type of rifle is unimportant so long as it is a semi-auto mag fed rifle in .223. Although I have owned AR's in .223 in the past I do not have one right now and I must have .223 for this match.

I do have a newer stainless mini-14 that shoots about 5" MOA at 100 meters. Right now it is basic and stock with no mods to it. I am uncertain whether or not I can make it accurate enough to to shoot it in competition in less than a month. The mini is completely reliable and in good condition.

I have about $400 I am willing to spend and am debating the following:

1. Trade in the Mini-14 for an accurate AR (might break my budget)
2. Accuarize the mini (uncertain of success)
3. Buy and/or trade for a different gun other than an AR (please suggest type)
4. Give up and borrow my bud's Rock River tack driver that shoots sub 1" MOA at 100 yards already

 

[DogBonz]

Get an AR

I voted to sell the Mini 14 and get an AR. Most stock AR’s will shoot about 1.5 – 2 MOA out of the box, and if you get lucky, and find the right load, you can be sum MOA with no modifications. The AR is an extremely versatile platform that you can do a lot with. If you get an A3 upper, you can attach optics, flip up sights, etc. The Mini 14 needs bases/ rings. Mags for the AR are much cheaper, too.

I don’t mean to bad mouth your Mini 14, but the AR has it beat hands down. You might want to borrow your friends RRA until you can figure out how you would like to set yours up.

 

[Jim Watson]

No 4 and No 1.
Shoot your bud's gun at this match while the Mini is on the market and get a good standard AR for future application.

And yes, I DO have an accurized Mini.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Ditch the mini 14. They are usually relaible, but can't group worth a hoot.

 

[DMK]

I'd say trade your Mini in for an AR. However, you're getting an unknown. You won't know how it shoots and it could have problems. Even the best manufacturers send out a lemon every once in a while. You need some time to work that out.

Safer bet would be to borrow your buddy's gun since you know it can shoot and it's reliable. Or buy a new gun, sight it in, test it out as much as possible, and bring your buddy's gun as a "plan B" in case you have trouble.

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

Are you really asking this question?!

I mean c'mon,just borrow the good rifle while saving up the pennies for your own AR. I don't like selling rifles for anything, not even a Mini 14 if I owned one .

 

[Titan6]

I mean c'mon,just borrow the good rifle while saving up the pennies for your own AR. I don't like selling rifles for anything, not even a Mini 14 if I owned one .

Me neither. However, I promised the household financial manager I wouldn't buy any more guns this year (yeah I know bad idea now...) since I just made several purchases that I had been waiting on for a while. However I didn't say I wouldn't trade any in .

I never really planned on keeping the mini forever but it has filled a niche role. I was smart about it and did buy the dual mags that can be used in both ARs and mini's so I can keep those and they work just fine. The plan had always been to upgrade to a matching AR in .223 as a little brother for my LR-308 AP4 and maybe give the mini to one of the kids to wear out in the field shooting small game.

I hate the idea of borrowing someone else's rifle for various reasons even when I know they don't mind lending it. But it does seem like the smartest answer. I also can't think of any other gun in that price range and caliber that will get the job done either.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I voted borrow the AR but only because the Match is so close. Don't rush your decision because it might cost you more in the end. Once the Match is over you can dedicate the time to find a more permanent solution. IMO, while the Mini-14 is a good gun it isn’t a match gun so it’s expendable.

 

[byf43]

I voted borrow the AR but only because the Match is so close. Don't rush your decision because it might cost you more in the end. Once the Match is over you can dedicate the time to find a more permanent solution. IMO, while the Mini-14 is a good gun it isn’t a match gun so it’s expendable.

Great post!!!!!