Mini-14 accuracy
A friend of mine has a very accurate Ruger Mini-14 rifle. It is the Bi-Centenial model made in 1976 and it came that way from the factory. My experience with Mini-14 rifles is that they are generally inaccurate. Does anyone know if the older Mini-14's are more accurate than the newer versions?
Thanks
Thanks
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I have been reading comments on GB how the Mini-14 has substandard accuracy compared to others like an AR-15. If true, why? Wouldn't it have to be the barrel? So is it barrel length, twist rate, quality of manufacture or what? 0 -
I would say quality of mfg. There are several after market barrel mfg that obtain excelent accuracy from the Mini 14. Chief AJ produces a very accurate mini 14 or at least he used to. When the barrel gets hot accuracy goes out the window with the mini 14. my 2 cents [8D]
Greg
Former Marine
2nd A N G L I C O0 -
I've found through personal experience that accuracy and the Mini-14 is an oxymoron. You will be lucky to consistently hit a 9" paper plate at 100 yards. If that accuracy appeals to you then go for it..
AR-15s are in an entirely different class and well worth the added cost.0 -
quote:Originally posted by tlen
I've found through personal experience that accuracy and the Mini-14 is an oxymoron. You will be lucky to consistently hit a 9" paper plate at 100 yards.
I think you may have had a bad rifle. I can consistently group under 3" at 100 yards with iron sights, and cheap ammo with my mini-30.
Ben
Play Ball!!!0 -
My average groups with my scoped mini-14 are 2"-2.5" @ 100 yards. It does like 40 gr. polymer tipped rounds better than 55 gr. FMJ. ANyway, not terrible, but AR's will often shoot MOA or better.
Save the seals-club a liberal instead.0 -
The Mini-14 isn't the same as a Mini-30. If I have a bad rifle them my other 3 friends do also! Mini-14s are known to be inaccurate and I don't see the need to argue about it. Unfortunately we didn't find out until AFTER we bought them. It is the only time I;ve been burned by Ruger. It concerns me when I hear or see that the SWAT teams and Police use Mini-14s. 0 -
I agree with tien, your main reason for a mini 14 shouldnt be extreme accuracy. 0 -
It's a shame that the mini-14 has a reputation for lack of accuracy, although somewhat deserved. The action is a better proven reliable combat action than the AR-15. It could be a better shooting rifle if better tolerances were kept in the actions and better sights used.
While I may agree with tlen that your main goal with a mini-14 wouldn't be extreme accuracy, neither will it be with an AR. If you want extreme accuracy go with a bolt action. If this is to be a ranch rifle riding around in a pickup the mini-14 is accurate enough and anything with a scope is going to get knocked out soon enough banging around while you irrigate and check cows and the fences that should hold them. And, the aluminum receiver AR won't stand up well to that kind of abuse. -Good luck
We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>0 -
quote:Originally posted by tlen
The Mini-14 isn't the same as a Mini-30. If I have a bad rifle them my other 3 friends do also! Mini-14s are known to be inaccurate and I don't see the need to argue about it. Unfortunately we didn't find out until AFTER we bought them. It is the only time I;ve been burned by Ruger. It concerns me when I hear or see that the SWAT teams and Police use Mini-14s.
I suspect it's more likely the case that you and your three friends are just poor shooters...
Getting back to mowart's original question: The Mini-14/30 design is not known for extreme accuracy because of the tolerances built into the design. Keeping looser tolerances can assure greater reliability -- especially in extreme conditions, such as when the rifle is dirty -- but the trade-off for those tolerances can be a reduction in accuracy.
If you want a rock-solid, extremely reliable (as long as you don't use junk magazines) carbine in .223 or 7.62x39 and don't need extreme accuracy, Ruger's Mini-14/30 should be a consideration.
"Strength is the outcome of need; security sets a premium on feebleness." -- H.G. Wells (The Time Machine)0 -
Hey, my mini 14 is accurate enough. I killed a coyote some 100+ yards away. After he dropped I had 3 rounds left in the 20 round mag.[:D]
I keep mine for any close quater business.[;)]
Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.0 -
quote:I suspect it's more likely the case that you and your three friends are just poor shooters...
I've been shooting & reloading for well over 45 years and to question my shooting ability and that of my 3 friends is purely a cheap shot. Is that what this forum is all about ? If so, I certainly don't need the hassle.0 -
i won't call into suspect the shooting ability of anyone, but mine shot 1.5" out to about 3" groups. the barrels heat up quickly and that might have had something to do with not being able to hit a 9" plate at 100 yards. all i shot was UMC FMJ's out of mine. had a cheap simmons 8-point 3-9 on it. it seemed to always throw the 5th shot high right. it did everything i expected from it when I bought it. this was pretty impressive i thought.
http://www.chiefaj.com/mini_14.htm
I'm not an expert, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.0
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