Why are Mini-14s (and Mini-30s) relatively inaccurate?

[MachIVshooter]

Barrel is the bigget problem; They whip something awful. I cut my groups in half by lobbing 4" off the barrel.

I like my mini, but I would never pay the $650+ they want for them today, when I can build another AR for less and have a superior rifle.

 

[jim243]

Mini-30 has it's place just as a M-2 greese gun or thompson does. Just don't look at it as a target rifle.


Jim

 

[mortablunt]

The Mini-14 as advertised as being a sort of light rifle and it had a rather light barrel which wasn't long or rigid enough in the first place. They also aren't built to the tightness standards of AR's; they trade off accuracy for ruggedness (no flames please). The truth is that they aren't too inaccurate; it's just an exaggeration placed upon them, like the lie that AK's can't hit anything, Glocks can get through metal detectors, and you don't need to aim with a shotgun.

 

[Ignition Override]

Bill Ruger called the Mini 14 "the world's most expensive plinking gun", or words to that effect.
Ruger lost a huge number of loyal customers when he refused to sell magazines large than five rounds to the regular civilian (non-LEO) public.

If you can destroy or sink your target, does it matter?

You might find "Perfectunion" Mini forums informative, in the manner that "SKSboards" has a wealth of info on that rifle.

 

[LoonWulf]

For bragging rights...of course

 

[Batty67]

Thanks for the candid input. I still like their looks, heft, and capabilities. But having a fine M1 carbine, perhaps too much overlap and their are better options for me in the short term. Though for some reason I'm just not interested in an AR. I expect that will change some day. Maybe I'll look into getting a shotgun again.

 

[desidog]

Well, I'll add one thing that no one has brought up yet - Mini's come in all-stainless steel; which is far more durable than every part of an AR, except the barrel, if that is stainless.

While my Ranch Rifle does shift it's POI as the skinny barrel heats up, it's be a sailing companion for 15 years...moist, or down right wet, with salt water spray and deck gear in the locker. An AR just can't compete in that environment.

 

[rori]

I have an earlier 1999 year of mfg. Mini 14 and it originally shot minute of elephant. After bedding, trigger job, cyrogenic treating, flash hider, Accustrut, gas bushing and a 4x scope it will shoot hot, cold, dirty or clean into 1.5" at 100 yards with 20rounds!!!!! I also have a ranch rifle of recent mfg. that has only had a gas bushing,4x scope and flash hider and it will and does shoot into just over an inch all day long. Either spend money to accurize an older one or just buy a newer one.They are really good "CARBINES". FRJ

 

[HOWARD J]

I got my Mini-30 the first year they came out
For MI deer hunting it has taken a lot of deer
50 yard target

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[Elkins45]

I think it is hit or miss.

I had a Mini-30 that shot six inch groups at 100 yards with a scope.

So you got one of the good ones then?

 

[Elkins45]

Well, I'll add one thing that no one has brought up yet - Mini's come in all-stainless steel; which is far more durable than every part of an AR, except the barrel, if that is stainless.

While my Ranch Rifle does shift it's POI as the skinny barrel heats up, it's be a sailing companion for 15 years...moist, or down right wet, with salt water spray and deck gear in the locker. An AR just can't compete in that environment.

I'm not sure corrosion of the aluminum components has been a big problem with the AR platform.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'm not sure corrosion of the aluminum components has been a big problem with the AR platform.

In a salt spray heavy environment it would be.

Read the guys post

posted via tapatalk using android.

 

[nathan]

If they make the barrel thicker than whats now, the better. Of course, they might have to beef up the receiver end to balance the weight.

 

[LoonWulf]

Personally i think the new barrel is heavy enough and the rifle accurate enough. Its supposed to be a lite compact rifle, 1.5-2MOA is accurate enough for most task one would ask of a rifle like that.

As for corrosion, As long as your Ano is good aluminum is generally fine, but once its scratched or rubbed off aluminum will corrode VERY quickly. Stainless while not impervious holds up pretty well scratches and all. I live in hawaii, hunt, fish, dive, and play paintball. Im pretty well familiar with dealing with corrosion on stuff LOL.

If corrosion is an issue make sure youve got type 3 ano, it will hold up to ware and dings better then pretty much any other finish.

 

[Psa1m144]

The new mini's are more accurate than the old ones. I got one earlier this year and I'm more than satisfied.

 

[ugaarguy]

Well, I'll add one thing that no one has brought up yet - Mini's come in all-stainless steel; which is far more durable than every part of an AR, except the barrel, if that is stainless.

A properly made AR will have the aluminum components anodized to MIL-A-8625F Type III Class 2 Black specification. The steel parts will be zinc or manganese phosphated (parkerized) to MIL-DTL-16232G. The bore & chamber will be hard chrome lined. Type III hard anodizing is extremely resistant to both abrasion & corrosion. Parkerizing is also very resistant to abrasion & corrosion, and its porous nature entraps lubricant further enhancing abrasion & corrosion resistance. Hard chroming is extremely slick, abrasion resistant, and corrosion resistant.

Stainless steel's corrosion resistance will depend on the composition of the specific alloy used, and how it's finished. A bead blasted or other matte finish will be far more porous, and therefor far more susceptible to corrosion, than a highly polished finish.

In short, I'm not buying a stainless Mini being more corrosion resistant than a properly made AR.

 

[Casefull]

I have mini 14's and never shoot them, I cannot tolerate missing unless it is my error. They are not the only Ruger rifles that are inaccurate.

 

[para38super]

They are good hunting/ranch rifles, certainly not target rifles. If a 2 inch group at 100 yards is not good enough for you, then move on. That also mean most mil spec rifles aren't either, such as a M1a, M1 carbine, AK47 and AR15. Sure the AR15 can be very accurate but most Ar's in the $700 price range aren't. When I want to shoot an accurate rifle I use my Remington 700.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

old old topic. the newer ones have better barrels. no problem now. or live with the old one you got.

 

[DammitBoy]

Mini-14's are as accurate as they need to be - it helps if you use the correct grain bullet for the twist in the barrel of the Mini you have.

 

[Dane17]

I got a 581 as a gift from some good friends who appreciate my love for collecting firearms.

I would never have thought to buy one. I own 4 ARs. I should also say I am a fan of the garand platform, owning 2 garands, an m1a, and m1 carbine.

Honestly it's a fantastic little rifle. It points well, is light, easily scoped, reliable, and is 2 moa or better with a wide variety of ammo. I would look closely at a 58x mini.

 

[Art Eatman]

I traded in and out of four of the early Minis, starting when they first hit the market. I found that for hunting, they did just fine. The first shot from a cold barrel always ruined Mr. Jackrabbit or Wily Coyote. Generally, three-shot groups ran about 1.5 MOA. After that, the thin barrel walked about a bit, but that's unimportant except when punching paper.

I'd probably have one now, except that I don't like the price. Of course, I don't much like the price of anything else, either.

 

[we are not amused]

I have mini 14's and never shoot them, I cannot tolerate missing unless it is my error. They are not the only Ruger rifles that are inaccurate.

Since you have all that useless iron sitting around taking up space, send them to me, I will be glad to take them off your hands.

Really! You have several and never shoot them!? Why did you buy them?

 

[ErikO]

I shoot at a 25m range and never had a problem with the Mini-14 there. I do not own one and have only shot the rental wall gun, but it puts the bullet right where I want it with great regularity. If they were priced less than $600 new I'd own one. It also seems that used ones must be better than new ones as I routinely see stock used guns go for more than $600...

 

[we are not amused]

People sometimes put too much emphasis on sub-MOA accuracy. Most people have no use for such accuracy, they want a rifle that goes bang reliably, is simple to care for, and has good ergonomics.
The mini-14 has always met those goals. It was never meant as a highly accurate target rifle, but as a everyday shooting rifle.

A lot of idiots harbor hate towards Ruger for the statements made by the now deceased founder over 15 years ago, just as some of the same idiots refuse to buy Smith and Wesson for the same reason.

Some people are just idiots and there is no point in arguing with them.

I own an early nineties stainless steel Mini-14, with a scope. It does what I bought it for, which was for varmint control, and plinking. I does very well at 200 yards on prairie dogs, rabbits, skunks and coyotes.

Is it as accurate as a tricked out AR-15, no, but it is cheaper than a store bought AR-15, (far more so then, than now), and it gets the job done.
If I want a really accurate sub-MOA rifle, I will get a good Bolt action .308 or 30-06.
While I like target shooting in the plinking style, I am just not interested in bench rest target shooting.