Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle .223 or 5.56

Does anyone have any suggestions for a load for this rifle? I don't use it much because of the lack of acceptable accuracy. Best loads have been Hornady 68 gr match with W760, +/- 2" @ 100 yards. I will eventually give it to one of my grandson & would like to have a load for it that is reasonably accurate.

Mini 14s aren't known for stellar accuracy. I am fortunate to have one that shoots Wolf 62 gr HPs into about 1 1/2 or 2 inches at 100 yards. That is good enough for calling coyotes, the main thing I use this gun for, except here in CA where I need to shoot lead-free now. I have used 24 gr of H-335 or 22 gr of H-322 with the Hornady 55 gr SP with cannelure with decent results. H-322 is less temp sensitive, a good thing in the desert.

Pmd: I have bought, tested and sold 3 different Ruger Mini-14's.
They simply don't perform to anywhere near my standards.
They are fun guns and look cool but I'm done with them.
Save your time and efforts - sell it.
Go Colt AR-15 H-Bar!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Every mini-14 I've ever shot has been a shotgun, except one with an aftermarket barrel, adjustable regulator, breathed on by someone who knew what he was doing.
The load you have is about as good as you can expect.

They can be really accurate, for a price. See link for .223 load info. Also photo of my custom Mini.
www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/12445329

I got 62 gr. Fed Fusion bullets from Rocky Mtn Reloading for a good price. They shoot really well over 26 gr. Varget. www.rmrbullets.com/products/327144221630464-224-62-gr-premium-boat-tail-bonded-soft-point-new

DF

Don't bother worrying about it. Load up whatever you got that expands the way you need it to and shoot offhand at different schit with it. They'll never be an AR but they're cool reliable guns. I keep mind stoked with the flush fitting 5 round. But I think I'm the only person on earth that appreciates the fact that you can carry a Mini with a flush fitting 5 round.

They're damn shootable little rifles. First time I took mine to the range someone had left a 14" steel plate out at 150yds. Offhand, factory peep sight, I could go thru a magazine and ring that plate 20 out of 20. Now that might not be very impressive to some of you, but I don't practice offhand anywhere near as much as I should - that carbine just settles in and makes it easy.

Since I put a low power scope (1.5-5X20) on it I find most 50-60 grain factory loads will group 2" or a little better (occasionally a little worse) at 100yds, haven't tried any heavier. Don't see any point in match grade stuff.

Probably not a 300yd+ ground squirrel rifle , but coyotes at 200 are within range, and running yotes inside 50 is where it gets fun.

And Deflave I hear you on the flush mags - I'm still back on forth on keeping the scope or stripping it back down.

Actually, I use a flush fit mag for a mini-30 that was re-barreled to 6.8 SPC for hogs & coyotes at the ranch. Right now it's wearing a 1.5-5x20 Leopold and works very well for what its purpose is.