AirForceShooter
Member
Traded mine
AFS
AFS
What can I do with a Mini-14?
- Thread starter WoodyTX
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Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
If you're mostly gonna punch paper and want tight groups, don't get a Mini.
If you're gonna use it for hunting, it will do just fine. All four of the early-version Minis I had were quite reliable for the first couple of shots always going where I intended. Group size is irrelevant, other than when sighting in, and even then three-shot groups will tell you all you need to know.
I always stuck a Weaver K4 on top of my Minis. Worked great.
In 1980 or 1981 there was a fantastic population explosion of jackrabbits in northern Nevada and southwestern Idaho. A buddy of mine and I took our Minis out one morning and in about an hour shot over a hundred. Ranges to maybe 150 yards. Hot barrels didn't seem to be a problem...
If you're gonna use it for hunting, it will do just fine. All four of the early-version Minis I had were quite reliable for the first couple of shots always going where I intended. Group size is irrelevant, other than when sighting in, and even then three-shot groups will tell you all you need to know.
I always stuck a Weaver K4 on top of my Minis. Worked great.
In 1980 or 1981 there was a fantastic population explosion of jackrabbits in northern Nevada and southwestern Idaho. A buddy of mine and I took our Minis out one morning and in about an hour shot over a hundred. Ranges to maybe 150 yards. Hot barrels didn't seem to be a problem...
If you shoot with a lot of guys I would have a contest for a winner takes all crappy rifle shoot. All of you put up your worst rifle and then pick from a hat which rifle you will be competing with, everyone grabs at he rifle they picked shoots your course and the winner takes all the rifles home.
Or like the guys said make a game of getting that thing to shoot right- I think by fixing things ONE AT A TIME you might learn a lot about the weapon and what effect various factors have on it. You might end up with a nice rifle when you are done. Maybe it is something really dumb that is wrong with it and a few tweaks will get you a good gun!
Or like the guys said make a game of getting that thing to shoot right- I think by fixing things ONE AT A TIME you might learn a lot about the weapon and what effect various factors have on it. You might end up with a nice rifle when you are done. Maybe it is something really dumb that is wrong with it and a few tweaks will get you a good gun!
From zzyzxx "There isn't much you can do with it other than waste a lot of ammo. I keep mine for "home defense".
About the best answer i've seen. Always wanted one of these things, don't know why. Relegated it to my "CHTF" gun, but occaasionally took it out just to stay familiar with it & give it a run every now & then. At 25 yds, a tack driver. I'm at the stage where open sights are starting to give me a pain but even I could shoot 5 rounds and get a quarter to cover them @ 25. Go to 50 yds and it was a pos; 10-12" span and all over the target.
I might as well just turn the gun around & use it as a club. Figured something else has to be going on. The gun is presently out getting a "fix". Its beyond me. Fires everything, loves my reloads, but with factory/reloads can't do anything over 25yds. Only rifle I have ever owned that had this type of problem. Dependable, rugged, will fire in the mud/rain, but don't expect anything close to accurate. Thank the stars if you can do sub 6" grps at 50 yds.
About the best answer i've seen. Always wanted one of these things, don't know why. Relegated it to my "CHTF" gun, but occaasionally took it out just to stay familiar with it & give it a run every now & then. At 25 yds, a tack driver. I'm at the stage where open sights are starting to give me a pain but even I could shoot 5 rounds and get a quarter to cover them @ 25. Go to 50 yds and it was a pos; 10-12" span and all over the target.
I might as well just turn the gun around & use it as a club. Figured something else has to be going on. The gun is presently out getting a "fix". Its beyond me. Fires everything, loves my reloads, but with factory/reloads can't do anything over 25yds. Only rifle I have ever owned that had this type of problem. Dependable, rugged, will fire in the mud/rain, but don't expect anything close to accurate. Thank the stars if you can do sub 6" grps at 50 yds.
wow6599
Member
Nothing better than out-shooting an AR fanboy with my 16" NRA edition Mini.........
GigOleTrees
Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2011
- Messages
- 2
They shoot
It is very common for these rifles to have issues fitting into their stock properly. If they're the least bit loose, the receiver moves within the stock, under recoil, ruining accuracy. If they're too tight, accuracy will suffer as well, and the rifle's action may have problems functioning. The importance of proper bedding can't be underestimated.
While they're not tack drivers, Minis can shoot. And they do shoot.
6" at 50 yards, or worse as some folks stated, is indicative of a problem. Assuming all the parts are there, and properly attached, I'd carefully inspect the crown for damage, bed the stock and re-fit the gas-block. Nearly free and your Minis will shoot better.
It is very common for these rifles to have issues fitting into their stock properly. If they're the least bit loose, the receiver moves within the stock, under recoil, ruining accuracy. If they're too tight, accuracy will suffer as well, and the rifle's action may have problems functioning. The importance of proper bedding can't be underestimated.
While they're not tack drivers, Minis can shoot. And they do shoot.
6" at 50 yards, or worse as some folks stated, is indicative of a problem. Assuming all the parts are there, and properly attached, I'd carefully inspect the crown for damage, bed the stock and re-fit the gas-block. Nearly free and your Minis will shoot better.
otomik
Member
off the top of my head a delton kit plus stripped lower would make it under. so would a nothing fancy upper receiver group plus a plum crazy complete lower.megiddo said:
Woody, I'd use it as an opportunity to learn how to accurize a gas operated rifle. By making a handful of mods', most of which can be done at home, a Mini can shoot @ 2 MOA. It will take some creative thinking, but it's been done by others.
Some people simply take the easy route, and quit. "It's too hard" is their usual response. Go buy a XYZ rifle, it's easier. But they never take the time to learn.
GigOldTrees has made some valuable suggestions. Learn how to bed a stock to the rifle. Do a trigger job on it, the procedure is very similar to a trigger job on a M1 Garand. Add a flash hider to the barrel; helps with overall accuracy by acting as a vibration damper. Change the front sight, for a better sight picture. Do the gas block mod, and change the gas bushing to a smaller size. These are some of the more common mods' made.
And there are even more ways to continue improving the action of a Mini. But always start simple, and try out each mod as you go.
My eyesight has definitely not gotten better over the years. So I have figured out how to mount an AR style front sight post onto the flash hider. Has really helped as I still have the original rear peep sight on my Ranch Mini.
My Ranch used to be a 6"+ nightmare. No longer. I'm waiting for drier weather and spring so I can give a actual range report. Have a bunch of hand loads to try out.
Some people simply take the easy route, and quit. "It's too hard" is their usual response. Go buy a XYZ rifle, it's easier. But they never take the time to learn.
GigOldTrees has made some valuable suggestions. Learn how to bed a stock to the rifle. Do a trigger job on it, the procedure is very similar to a trigger job on a M1 Garand. Add a flash hider to the barrel; helps with overall accuracy by acting as a vibration damper. Change the front sight, for a better sight picture. Do the gas block mod, and change the gas bushing to a smaller size. These are some of the more common mods' made.
And there are even more ways to continue improving the action of a Mini. But always start simple, and try out each mod as you go.
My eyesight has definitely not gotten better over the years. So I have figured out how to mount an AR style front sight post onto the flash hider. Has really helped as I still have the original rear peep sight on my Ranch Mini.
My Ranch used to be a 6"+ nightmare. No longer. I'm waiting for drier weather and spring so I can give a actual range report. Have a bunch of hand loads to try out.
New 580 Ranch Rifle from Walmart
1. Replaced wood stock with factory synthetic (1/2 inch shorter, fits better, local shop had one for $25)
2. Opened up rear sight aperture to 3/16 inch so I could actually see through it.
3. Retorqued gas block screws so they LOOKED even.
Now shoots dead center sub-inch groups (5 shots) at 50yds with Winchester Q3131. No complaints from me.
Just ordered me a new Mini-30 Tactical.
If I were you, I would try a Hogue stock, Choate flash hider, and an Accustrut. Good luck.
M
1. Replaced wood stock with factory synthetic (1/2 inch shorter, fits better, local shop had one for $25)
2. Opened up rear sight aperture to 3/16 inch so I could actually see through it.
3. Retorqued gas block screws so they LOOKED even.
Now shoots dead center sub-inch groups (5 shots) at 50yds with Winchester Q3131. No complaints from me.
Just ordered me a new Mini-30 Tactical.
If I were you, I would try a Hogue stock, Choate flash hider, and an Accustrut. Good luck.
M
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Shooter973
Member
What types of Ammo have you tried in it? It may just hate what you've been feeding it. GI spec. ammo doesn't group well in any rifle. 
I'd like to quote M1key, but can't for some reason. His comments apply to both models of the Mini. Just be certain to purchase a new style Houge stock, with the internal aluminum bedding block.
A Mini owner must also know what the rate of twist their barrel is. This is an important piece of information, and there are several different twists of barrel. This allows the Mini owner to choose the appropriate weight of bullet that is best suited for their barrel. It can make a great deal of difference in bullet performance.
If one doesn't know the rate of twist, go to the Ruger factory web site to find out.
A Mini owner must also know what the rate of twist their barrel is. This is an important piece of information, and there are several different twists of barrel. This allows the Mini owner to choose the appropriate weight of bullet that is best suited for their barrel. It can make a great deal of difference in bullet performance.
If one doesn't know the rate of twist, go to the Ruger factory web site to find out.
bruzer
Member
Please don't take offense as this is only an opinion.
My eyes are not what they used to be too. If any of my guns with iron sights were shooting that bad of groups, 1st I would let a good known shooter try them out. If the problem continued then try some of the "Mini fixes". If the groups tightened up to a satisfactory level with another shooter, then get a scope for the Mini.
Did you see the post with the scope on the revolver? When I was a young man I would have thought that to be absolutely crazy. And now I think it might be a necessity even for my carry weapon. I'm becoming a "Mr Magoo".
Mike
My eyes are not what they used to be too. If any of my guns with iron sights were shooting that bad of groups, 1st I would let a good known shooter try them out. If the problem continued then try some of the "Mini fixes". If the groups tightened up to a satisfactory level with another shooter, then get a scope for the Mini.
Did you see the post with the scope on the revolver? When I was a young man I would have thought that to be absolutely crazy. And now I think it might be a necessity even for my carry weapon. I'm becoming a "Mr Magoo".
Mike
epijunkie67
Member
A DPMS sportical has an MSRP of $725. No reason you couldn't get it for a little less. If you are willing to build it yourself you can actually make one for $600-650 as long as you take time to catch stuff on sale. Guys here have done before.
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