Didn't see a better forum for this, so decided to post it here. I figure that a lot of AR owners (like me) also have other semi-autos like the mini 14...
Well, along with my 10-22 and Smith 45 (also have reviews posted for them), I shot my Ruger mini at the range yesterday - testing 5 loads in it. It did good with 3 of them so so with one and poorly with the 5th - kind of ammo sensitive. Ran like a clock though with 100% function. I think the sights are a bit coarse and the trigger is OK but also adds to group size.
This is a Nebraska State Police trade-in that I got used recently from
http://www.budsgunshop.com $499 shipped to my dealer. I've bought several guns from these guys and am really impressed with their service and integrity. No, I'm not affiliated with them in any way - just a happy customer.
This particular carbine is serial number 186-8XXXX which means that it was assembled in 1997 - and that means that it sports a Ruger-made hammer forged barrel with 1:9 twist rate. Which is good IMHO.
Having read all kinds of things about these carbines, I was anxious to see for myself just how it would shoot.
Here it is waiting for the run-through with the ammo shot:
And here are the results: First is Winchester WB (order as pictured in above): As you can see, about 3" - these are all at 100 yards:
And here's the star: Privi Partizan soft points: (2 inches)
And the next: S&B - it did not like this stuff at all.
And then American Eagle (about 4"):
And finally, my handload which is a light load (2700 fps or so) with 55 gr Hornady plastic tips and Varget: (printed about a foot higher! but with a 3" group):
One thing you will notice - it printed each load to quite a different point of impact - and these were all 55 grain loads. The handload is quite light but the others should be similar...
Definately want to mate this with a good load and have it sighted for that load...
Overall, I think I did good. This is performing like I expected. I'm betting that it will do good with the new handload that I'm using for my AR's with 55 grain fmj bullets and W748 - going 3100 fps or so. If it shoot that into 3" then I'm happy.
I was trying to establish ammo preference and check function for this trip - next time, I'll shoot more rounds for group. 3 round really isn't the best test - but it gave me the info that I wanted for this trip.
The carbine can shoot decently - but it wants the ammo it wants...
Oh and if anybody is looking for Ruger factory mini 14 high capacity mags, the best prices I found were at CDNN
http://www.cdnninvestments.com $24.95 for the 20 rounders and $29.95 for the 30's. One place was actually charging over $100 for the 30 rounders calling them "extremely rare" - yeah right...