Mini-14 On the range
This may be a question "out in left field" but I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of or seen a "catch bag" that would work on a Mini-14? Rather than spray empty brass all over the range and then do the old "broom and shovel" to retrieve the spent hulls it would be really neat to have something that would catch the ejected brass after each shot. I've seen something like it used with AR-'s but haven't seen anything that could be used with the Mini. Any one have any ideas??[:D][?]
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Brass catchers seem like a really neat idea, but I'm not a big fan of them. They completely throw off the balance of a gun and you can experience slight movement from brass shifting around in there unexpectedly.
When firing from a static position all of your brass should be landing in a fairly well defined area.
In this case I just unfold a section of plastic tarp over that area. When done just lift the corners and pour all the empties into a bucket.
Simple, effective and cheap.
EDIT:
quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
It's a good idea, but hot brass and a plastic tarp aren't compatible. Don't ask me how I know.
We must be using different quality plastic tarps. [:D]
I do this with people firing M16's and have experienced no problems.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Txs
Brass catchers seem like a really neat idea, but I'm not a big fan of them. They completely throw off the balance of a gun and you can experience slight movement from brass shifting around in there unexpectedly.
When firing from a static position all of your brass should be landing in a fairly well defined area.
In this case I just unfold a section of plastic tarp over that area. When done just lift the corners and pour all the empties into a bucket.
Simple, effective and cheap.
It's a good idea, but hot brass and a plastic tarp aren't compatible. Don't ask me how I know.0 -
quote:It's a good idea, but hot brass and a plastic tarp aren't compatible. Don't ask me how I know.
You too, huh?[:D][:D][:D]0 -
Thanks guys. Guess it's pretty evident this is my first semi-auto, didn't worry about it much with my Savage bolt-action. Seeing as how I'm now on a fixed income I'm leaning toward the Caldwell product for cost purposes. If that's turns sour I'll be rethinking the options. Thanks again guys, I knew I could rely on my fellow members to have good info for me.[:)][8D] 0 -
What I have done is a compromise between nothing and the brass catcher. I take a piece of "duck" canvas about 3" by 4", and a piece of a plastic soft drink bottle, cut lengthwise 3" and about 120 degrees of curvature. The curved piece of plastic is duct taped to the left side of the action so that it curves up and over the bolt. The canvas is also taped to the left side of the action and draped over the plastic so that it goes up and over the bolt, then hangs and inch or so in the path of the ejecting cases. It doesn't weigh much so it doesn't change the rifles balance. It's a litlle flimsey so it needs to be reapplied each trip to the range, but it keeps the fired cases all within a few feet of the firing point- appreciated by the firing position to your right, and simplifies picking up your empties. 0 -
My mini (.223) throws the empties fairly straight out the side, just about 50' from me. For shooting from a bench, I built a freestanding deflector from 1" PVC and a small throw rug. The frame is about 3' tall by 2' wide. I clip the throw rug to the top rail and allow it to drape freely. When the spent brass strikes the rug, it moves the rug a bit stopping the empty and letting it drop to the table top. No more chasing empties all over the field. I place the unit about 1' away to avoid rather warm rebounds. If shooting from the standing position, one could adjust the dimensions to suit their height.
I don't glue it together making it easier to transport.
Also prevents hot brass striking other shooters on the range.
Mike0 -
you can change the "blowby" bushings to cut down on the ejection difference. i forget where i bought them 4 yrs ago . 3 bushings in a kit i took out the factory bushing and installed the Medium one and got the flyers down to about 8 ft without any difference in operational speed. after about 1000 rnds thru it i sold it. do a search of any Mini 14/30 forum and u can learn more about improvements. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by discusdad
you can change the "blowby" bushings to cut down on the ejection difference. i forget where i bought them 4 yrs ago . 3 bushings in a kit i took out the factory bushing and installed the Medium one and got the flyers down to about 8 ft without any difference in operational speed. after about 1000 rnds thru it i sold it. do a search of any Mini 14/30 forum and u can learn more about improvements.
+1 , change the gas port bushing to a smaller one. The re-torque the bolts evenly. The brass will not go near as far and the rifle will probably be more accurate.0
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