Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Ruger mini 14?

This has been my experience.

Yeah, the 580 series, didn’t work, ask me how I know.

That's it. I'm going to scope one of my Ruger Mini 14s and accuracy test it.

Tapered barrel or straight barrel?

I've had 3. 2 were Ranch models which took Ruger rings. One of those 2, a stainless unit that I bought new in around '96 shot a couple of absolutely amazing groups with a couple of different loads one day, but when I tried to repeat those results under different conditions, they were spraying all over, producing the kind of groups that people commonly complain about.

I've seen pretty darned good accuracy out of Mini-14's, but when I finally tried an AR platform rifle, (more than a couple now) I was surprised at how common consistent, decent accuracy could be.

JN . . . Does he have the bayonet to go with it?

With some work from these folks https://www.accuratemini14.com/

They shoot pretty good. I got mine worked on some years ago before the prices got so high.

They did the accuracy work, I did the stock.

DF

They made a target version. Not saying it shot any better......haha

Have a new 580 series mini 30. Extremely happy with it. Pics to follow

Impressive accuracy. My best groups were like that. My average and worst, however, were far from that.

What I noticed with mine was that the rifle appeared to be Uber-sensitive to forend and barrel pressure, leading me to believe that the gas block and forend system was a bigger concern for accuracy than anything else was. I do know that using a Harris bipod adapter and bipod had a huge affect on accuracy, with 100 yard groups looking like 15 yard buckshot patterns. Careful and deliberate plinking using a front and rear bag improved accuracy for me.

They are about like everything Ruger. Dig into the details: finish, ranch, folding stock . That’ll get you close then it’s how much can you sucker someone into paying.

They’ll kill a Haji sho nuff

I have a 581 serial number with flash hider. Slick and accurate rifle. One of two SHTF rifles I have.

If you rebarreled them and tweaked em they would be ok. I love the M1A/M14 platform and like the looks of the mini but I've never wanted to put money in one and I've never seen a factory one shoot well enough for me to be interested.

Agree on gas block, forend pressure and bedding being important on these.

Accuracy systems three point bedded this one, which is a big deal. You can see 2 of the 3 screws. They put hangers in the wood, used machine screws for bedding.. And, bottom photo, their brake. Trigger job is excellent. It takes a bit longer taking it down. You don't just pop the trigger guard, gotta first remove the three bedding screws.

DF

It used to be that the Mini14 was the poor man's AR15. For a long time, the Ruger pretty much had the market to themselves. They knew about the accuracy problems, but had NO incentive to do anything about it. They had no competition. You could buy a $350 Mini 14, or a $1200 AR15 (or some other more exotic gun.. costing even more). For a long time, that was it. Now, everybody and their brother makes an AR, and the cost has come WAY down..... but the cost of the Mini has gone way up.

They finally addressed the accuracy issue with the newer heavier barreled guns. I have one, and it shoots pretty well. No vertical stringing, or slinging shots hither and yon. Many people have good success with older Minis by using a barrel strut attached to the bottom of the barrel.

I went looking around a couple of years ago to see if I could get myself an older Mini, but people were wanting as much for a used old Mini14, as for a brand new one. I'd hate to see the prices on one now. If I was going to spend so much on a rifle, I'd maybe spend just a little more and get an M-1A.

Yeah, a decent AR will shoot that good for a lot less than a tricked out Mini.

But, like you, I do like the feel and handling of a Mini.

DF

I kinda doubt it but I'll ask, stranger things have happened. All he showed me was the four extra mags.

I"m a fan of the Mini. But I never really thought of it as a grouping gun. Maybe I did watch too much A-Team as a teen.

My tactical model shoots good enough with ball ammo.

Now I wouldn’t take it prairie dog hunting, but for a homestead defensive carbine it’s fine.

Don't own one. Shot one, it's light, like an M1 Carbine that shoots flat. Makes an equipped M4 seem clunky.