The Ruger Mini 14 Pencil Barrel?

[Kame B.]

Thanks, your irons build is slick. Kind of a super stock.

What was involved fitting the sights? Do you run any buffers in either build? Running a thinned 1911 buffer on the gas tube now...want to go thinner and use one front and back. Had reliability issues with two buffers

First thing you got to have is a Mini 14 with flip up sights, it is the dove tail that is cut into the receiver that allows the M1 carbine sights to be mounted. Here is an illustration from Accuracy Systems website http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/Rear-Sight-Installation-Diagram.php
Yes I do run Wilson Combat 1911 recoil buffers on both rifles, front and back of the operating rod. The target rifle has a problem every now and again ejecting the last case, but the black tactical of mine runs them superbly. The rear buffer did effect the case ejecting a little, I throw them about 8 feet now compared to the 20foot it use to. It also helped with accuracy a little, the front buffer allows the op-rod to move away from the the gas block and piston more evenly when fired. It really helped out with shaking and rattling of the charging handle. The recoil buffers have helped out a lot. Oh I can say this, my target mini does not like the combination of a ruger factory 10 round mag and the recoil buffers, but will shoot them with the 20 round mag all day... go figure

 

[mshootnit]

Those are nice rifles but I cant just warm up to the mini. In the first place how do you start with a Garand design, which is so accurate in the M1, and M14, and crank out hundreds of thousands of bullet hoses? Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I think I could have liked it if they had tried to make them accurate, to do the design justice, if they had stayed true to the M14 gas system.

 

[Kame B.]

Those are nice rifles but I cant just warm up to the mini. In the first place how do you start with a Garand design, which is so accurate in the M1, and M14, and crank out hundreds of thousands of bullet hoses? Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I think I could have liked it if they had tried to make them accurate, to do the design justice, if they had stayed true to the M14 gas system.

I see what you are saying and I kinda agree, I would really like to see a little 14 with an actual piston system where a round piston actuates inside a cylinder instead of the fixed piston where a block of steel ridding a rail unevenly. I read once it is the way the op-rod leaves the gas block that really effects accuracy. If the head of the op-rod does not sit flush with the gas block and leaves it unevenly it will cause horizontal stringing left or right depending on witch way the op-rod is binding in the forearm sleeve. It can be fixed by either milling the op-rod to where it sits completely flush with the gas block or adding a recoil buffer to take up the uneven spaces between the gas block and rod. If the Mini had the round piston, adjustable gas block, and a stiffer barrel, I think Ruger could have had a nice little war machine. But at the same time i do appreciate that big hunk of steel slapping my action around when I pull the trigger. The way Jim Sullivan made the gas system is simple cave man stupid, big hunk of steel riding in a sleeve... That thing will never break. That is one of the up sides to the mini 14, it really is built like a tank. The gas block is nothing more than a clamp with a hole in the middle, the op-rod is so heavy duty you can hammer nails with it, all steel receiver and bolt, it is just a tough rugged little gun. True enough it is a minute of man rifle but where it loses at accuracy it takes up in reliability and longevity.

 

[GBExpat]

@SUBJ: The Ruger Mini 14 Pencil Barrel?
So what have you done with your old Mini? ...

Looks like you have had a good time modifying/personalizing your Minis. Pretty.

I enjoy shooting my s/s 184- in stock configuration.

I acquired it in ~1986, used, a few years after selling (and regretting it) the 181- that had purchased NIB in the late '70s. Both of my Minis have been Mini-14s, rather than Mini-14 Ranch Rifles.

 

[Art Eatman]

I traded in and out of four of the early "skinny Minis". I always installed a Weaver K4 on a B4 mount.

With all four, the first three shots always held to about 1.5 MOA at most. What was important to me as a hunter was that for the first shot from a cold barrel, POA = POI, consistently. That made for hard times for Wily Coyote.

 

[Kame B.]

Looks like you have had a good time modifying/personalizing your Minis. Pretty.

I enjoy shooting my s/s 184- in stock configuration.

I acquired it in ~1986, used, a few years after selling (and regretting it) the 181- that had purchased NIB in the late '70s. Both of my Minis have been Mini-14s, rather than Mini-14 Ranch Rifles.

I had too much fun modifying the target rifle Squared up the gas block, added recoil buffers, and a wolf recoil spring, got to watch the gun smith swap barrels and I went crazy on the stock lol. But the black tactical rifle I found in a gun shop for under 600 bucks just like you see it, the only thing I added was a M1 Carbine sling, just wish I had a M1 Carbine style stock for it to. But mine just say Ranch Rifle on the receiver, I have not come across any Minis yet that have Mini 14 stamped on the receiver. Got any pictures of that?

 

[Kame B.]

I traded in and out of four of the early "skinny Minis". I always installed a Weaver K4 on a B4 mount.

With all four, the first three shots always held to about 1.5 MOA at most. What was important to me as a hunter was that for the first shot from a cold barrel, POA = POI, consistently. That made for hard times for Wily Coyote.

Funny story, the target mini of mine does not like a cold bore shot. It will be an inch to almost 2 inches off zero on the first few shots and then groups will tighten up after the barrel is warm. In fact she will get more accurate the hotter the barrel gets, but It will still shoot under 2 inch groups with a cold shot and that is good enough for the distance I hunt deer at in the thick woods of Mississippi.

 

[Ironicaintit]

First thing you got to have is a Mini 14 with flip up sights, it is the dove tail that is cut into the receiver that allows the M1 carbine sights to be mounted.

That's awesome! I was never very excited about the irons on mine, and I just so happen to have a spare M1 carbine rear sight! It never dawned on me that I could put it on there.
So thank you! And you built some nice rifles there bud

 

[GBExpat]

... But mine just say Ranch Rifle on the receiver, I have not come across any Minis yet that have Mini 14 stamped on the receiver. Got any pictures of that?

Here ya go ...



EDIT:

BTW, I have almost always used my Mini-14 in the way that Art Eatman mentioned.

Once it was sighted in, the "money shots" (eliminating varmints) were always out of a cold barrel.

Grab the rifle out of the safe, run a clean patch down the bore, walk out back, insert the mag and walk over to the farm.

One shot was usually all that was required. The most that I can ever recall firing in an episode is 3 and they were all on-target.

 

[Kame B.]

That's awesome! I was never very excited about the irons on mine, and I just so happen to have a spare M1 carbine rear sight! It never dawned on me that I could put it on there.
So thank you! And you built some nice rifles there bud

Very glad to help you out bud, dont for get the elevation adjustment will be different since it was made for a .30 carbine and not a .223. So far on mine the 100 yard mark hits a 50 yards, 250 yard mark hits at 100, and the highest elevation hits at 200 to 300 yards. You will have to work with it a little to see where you are hitting with yours. Good Luck!

 

[Kame B.]

Here ya go ...



EDIT:

BTW, I have almost always used my Mini-14 in the way that Art Eatman mentioned.

Once it was sighted in, the "money shots" (eliminating varmints) were always out of a cold barrel.

Grab the rifle out of the safe, run a clean patch down the bore, walk out back, insert the mag and walk over to the farm.

One shot was usually all that was required. The most that I can ever recall firing in an episode is 3 and they were all on-target.

Oh thats nice, wish mine said Mini 14 on it. As far as hunting goes, I carry a 5 round mag in it, but never get past bullet number 2

 

[GBExpat]

... As far as hunting goes, I carry a 5 round mag in it, but never get past bullet number 2

I, too, like the 5s for WalkAround. Handier. (I even have a 5 for use with the Real Deal semi-auto M-14s that I Built ... for use on WalkAround )

If I plan on doing some plinking before returning to the house I will take along at least one 20.

 

[Kame B.]

I, too, like the 5s for WalkAround. Handier. (I even have a 5 for use with the Real Deal semi-auto M-14s that I Built ... for use on WalkAround )

If I plan on doing some plinking before returning to the house I will take along at least one 20.

Well hey, just a little side note, the allen shell holder I have on my tactical will hold one ruger 20 round mag perfectly. https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Buttst...d=1473935709&sr=8-1&keywords=allen+cheek+rest

 

[Ironicaintit]

dont for get the elevation adjustment will be different since it was made for a .30 carbine and not a .223.

Yeah, I know the trajectories are obviously different, but I haven't actually done any calculations.
I'll probably work up to a 200yd zero and call it good.
It might feel too fancy, adjusting wind age with a dial.... I grew up with and got pretty good at "Kentucky windage"

 

[Kame B.]

Yeah, I know the trajectories are obviously different, but I haven't actually done any calculations.
I'll probably work up to a 200yd zero and call it good.
It might feel too fancy, adjusting wind age with a dial.... I grew up with and got pretty good at "Kentucky windage"

Ah yes, I use the Kentucky windage mostly with my scoped Mini. But it is nice to have that option just-in-case the M1 carbine sight does not square up with your front post. Lucky me the guy who had the rifle before lined them up perfectly. With the combo of the choate flash hider's sight, and the ring on the rear irons sets up a pretty good picture... Kentucky windage will not be an issue

 

[jim in Anchorage]

I can't believe it. 2 pages on the mini 14 and not one "junk it, buy a AR" post? That's a first and I like it.

 

[GBExpat]

I can't believe it. 2 pages on the mini 14 and not one "junk it, buy a AR" post? That's a first and I like it.

Hahaha ... a very good point.

Quite puzzling!

 

[Kame B.]

I can't believe it. 2 pages on the mini 14 and not one "junk it, buy a AR" post? That's a first and I like it.

LMAO, I've been waiting for you to chime in Jim You got to admit I made it a hard argument if it ever surfaced. It would be hard to complain about a couple of 20 year old Mini's that still work like they are brand new, especially when one of them is shooting 1 to 2.5 inch groups at a hundred yards with the worst ammo possible

 

[Leanwolf]

I bought a "prison guard turn in" 182 GB Mini 14 many years ago. I think it had been shot very little because of virtually no wear.

It has consistently shot 1½" to 2" five round groups with Winchester FMJ, PMC FMJ, and Win. PSP ammo. I've killed a number of coyotes and jackrabbits out in the mountains and deserts with it. I guess I'll keep it.

L.W.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

LMAO, I've been waiting for you to chime in Jim You got to admit I made it a hard argument if it ever surfaced. It would be hard to complain about a couple of 20 year old Mini's that still work like they are brand new, especially when one of them is shooting 1 to 2.5 inch groups at a hundred yards with the worst ammo possible

Soon as I saw mini 14 in the title I knew you where involved looks like I will be deer hunting in NY this year and may use the mini. Never shot big game with it, only marmots. You say you like the silver tips?

 

[Kame B.]

Soon as I saw mini 14 in the title I knew you where involved looks like I will be deer hunting in NY this year and may use the mini. Never shot big game with it, only marmots. You say you like the silver tips?

Yes sir... 55grain Winchester Ballistic silver tips varmint/predator ammo: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/29...23-remington-55-grain-fragmenting-polymer-tip

But first thing is first, I hunt in Mississippi, and our deer are the size of large dogs, and way over populated. Shots taken average out from 50 to 100 yards due to the thick woods we have. So good bullet placement with a heart shot, and you will drop them like a rock. The load is perfect for the way I hunt, and the bullet expansion is the best I have seen on short distance shots. Most .223's will fly right through a deer at close range, so you need something that will fragment on impact.

 

[illinoisburt]

A couple of years ago we had a large cull program running on the forest preserve lands next to my home. The shooters were required to use frangible 223 provided to them by the police (to protect against ricochets and possible penetration of folks houses). When everything went right, the results were bang-flops. Sadly a large percentage didn't go that way. I personally saw small does walking around with softball sized bloody holes in there rib cage and hips. They lived for days like that before someone could track them down and shoot again. Made the news and caused a ton of community backlash against the cull. Please do not use varmint bullets for deer. Get some bonded bullets made for the task in 223.

 

[Kame B.]

A couple of years ago we had a large cull program running on the forest preserve lands next to my home. The shooters were required to use frangible 223 provided to them by the police (to protect against ricochets and possible penetration of folks houses). When everything went right, the results were bang-flops. Sadly a large percentage didn't go that way. I personally saw small does walking around with softball sized bloody holes in there rib cage and hips. They lived for days like that before someone could track them down and shoot again. Made the news and caused a ton of community backlash against the cull. Please do not use varmint bullets for deer. Get some bonded bullets made for the task in 223.

I 100% agree but I have had bad luck with the bonded bullets at close range. In fact I would not recommend hunting with a .223 if you are not experience hunting with one. I dont take just any shot when I see a deer and my furthest shot on a deer last year was a little over 25 yards. I have had bad luck with bonded bullets going right through deer at 30 yards and under, but the ballistic tip varmint loads expand better at those ranges and yield better results for me. As far as another good load you can try these:https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2...223-remington-64-grain-protected-hollow-point . But I bagged a buck at 50 yards with these: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/29...23-remington-55-grain-fragmenting-polymer-tip . I shot him dead center in the heart, and he fell right over, the round obliterated the inside of his chest.

 

[flashhole]

Does anyone use the UltiMak or Amega Ranges rail?

 

[Crowcifier666]

Always wanted to try the Ultimak. It sits lower than the Amega. Could never justify the price to scout scope my Mini, when I am happy with irons only.

Now, if I had an extra $500 lying around....I'd go Ultimak with a Leupold 2-7x Scout scope.