The Ruger Mini 14 Pencil Barrel?

[flashhole]

Have owned my 583 series Mini 14 Ranch Rifle for about 2 months. So far I have:

Added two Harris HB#2 Bipod Mounts, one for the Harris bipod and the second for the side sling mount in the center of the checkering on the forestock. These are not tricky to add but you do have to pay attention to detail. They work great.

Added the SoCom buttstock magazine pouch with the D-ring at the top of the buttstock.

Added the Vickers Combat Sling with all metal hardware.

Attached the Burris 2-7 x 33 scope for load development using the factory supplied rings that came with the gun (very nice rings). I have a new Bushnell TRS 25 Red Dot that I will add once the GG&G Picatinny rail arrives. A rail came with the gun but it is too short for my liking. Still doing load development so the scope will stay on for another month or so.

Was gifted two 20-round Ruger mags, these things are really nice.

Still on the fence as to whether or not I will buy an Ultimak rail, will likely just buy a Choate handguard.

I unscrewed the factory buttstock sling mount and will cut away the one on the forestock. Ruger could have done much better than this.

If I had it to do over again I would buy one with a wood stock, much easier to trick out.

 

[Kame B.]

Was gifted two 20-round Ruger mags, these things are really nice.

Still on the fence as to whether or not I will buy an Ultimak rail, will likely just buy a Choate handguard.

I unscrewed the factory buttstock sling mount and will cut away the one on the forestock. Ruger could have done much better than this.

If I had it to do over again I would buy one with a wood stock, much easier to trick out.

Lots of people like to complain about the cost of ruger mags, but you are right, they are really nice, very well made, and guaranteed for life. Worth every penny to me . You wont go wrong with the Choate hand guard, sure the Ultimak is nice to put a scope on but I like the traditional Ruger scope mounts. The ruger scope rings are pretty stout, and holds a very solid grip to the receiver. Wood?... you got to get some wood, you can find a old cheap one off of ebay and refinish it to what ever color you want. Take your time with it and have some fun bringing your inner artist out

Oh and by the way... That is a really nice Mini you got there. Have you considered any barrel attachments?

 

[flashhole]

"Have you considered any barrel attachments?"

I took a serious look at the Accustrut. Looks cool and people claim it helps accuracy but not convinced it will be worth the added weight. That was another reason I was looking at the Ultimak. I like the way it fastens to the barrel. Scope mount and barrel stiffener.

The GG&G extended Picatinny rail arrived yesterday so now I can pull the scope and mount the Red Dot after I work up a couple of loads. At this time my Mini shoots the Speer 70 grain round nose bullet the best. Nice tight little group.

 

[Kame B.]

"Have you considered any barrel attachments?"

I took a serious look at the Accustrut. Looks cool and people claim it helps accuracy but not convinced it will be worth the added weight. That was another reason I was looking at the Ultimak. I like the way it fastens to the barrel. Scope mount and barrel stiffener.

The GG&G extended Picatinny rail arrived yesterday so now I can pull the scope and mount the Red Dot after I work up a couple of loads. At this time my Mini shoots the Speer 70 grain round nose bullet the best. Nice tight little group.

Oh sorry, I meant barrel attachment as far as flash hiders and muzzle brakes goes. But since you mention the strut, there is another route you can go. You could cut the barrel down to 13 or 14 inches and add a muzzle device long enough to take the length of the barrel back to 16 inches. Taking out the extra length of the barrel will reduce whip but you will loose velocity. I'm considering chopping the barrel on mine to add one of these: http://sunfloweroutdoorsports.com/Mo-Reaper-Muzzle-Brake-for-Ruger-Mini-REFS.htm . http://www.riflestock.com/store/do/product/07-07-14

 

[flashhole]

I can understand a flash suppressor on a Mini but the Mini 14 is not overly aggressive in the recoil department and I see little value in a muzzle brake. It looks cool but I don't see a performance improvement.

 

[ThomasT]

There will not be a performance improvement. You will just reduce the velocity of your bullets with a shorter barrel. I would leave it alone. It looks nice just the way it is.

 

[flashhole]

I think handloaders have an advantage in the accuracy department over folks who buy factory ammo. I've found several loads that don't work well in my Mini and two that do and I'm still developing.

I shied away from 55 grain bullets for my bolt guns but see value in trying these bullets for my Mini. I want to find a load that can take advantage of bulk bullet purchase.

 

[Kame B.]

I can understand a flash suppressor on a Mini but the Mini 14 is not overly aggressive in the recoil department and I see little value in a muzzle brake. It looks cool but I don't see a performance improvement.

Well, the whole purpose I picked these muzzle devices is only to take up the extra length on a cut barrel so one does not have to buy a tax stamp for a SBR. As far as the Mo-Reaper muzzle brake goes, it is not the recoil reduction I'm interested in, it has one of the nicest front post sights out of all the barrel attachments I have viewed... And it looks cool

 

[Kame B.]

There will not be a performance improvement. You will just reduce the velocity of your bullets with a shorter barrel. I would leave it alone. It looks nice just the way it is.

Yep, cutting the barrel will not improve groups, and yes, a slight velocity reduction will occur. But with the extra length gone the barrel will experience less whip, and stringing shots will be reduced on a hot barrel. The rifle is just fine the way it is, but I'm one of those guys that likes to tinker

 

[Armybrat]

Bought my 187 Series Ranch Rifle new in 1984. Don't know how inaccurate its pencil barrel is because I've never shot it. Bought it just what fer and put it in the safe. Gifted it to one of my sons 3 or 4 years ago, and he has yet to shoot it either.

 

[Kame B.]

Bought my 187 Series Ranch Rifle new in 1984. Don't know how inaccurate its pencil barrel is because I've never shot it. Bought it just what fer and put it in the safe. Gifted it to one of my sons 3 or 4 years ago, and he has yet to shoot it either.

May I ask why it has never been shot?