Kel-Tec SU-16A or Mini-14: Help Me Decide
- Thread starter 35 Whelen
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35 Whelen
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Already got a Mini.
35W
35W
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35 Whelen
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I bought it and ordered some PPU 55gr. and some PMC X-Tac 62 gr. Both shot HORRIBLY. So I bedded the rifle and installed an Accu-Strut. Still no change. I tried some of my 60 gr. handloads with much better results. Maybe 2" or so @ 100 yds. with a 4X scope.
It's difficult for me to keep in mind that rifles such as this were never meant to be long range tools. I've loaded for and shot bolt rifles all my life and I wouldn't own a bolt rifle that wouldn't group better than 2" @ 100. Hunting season arrived so I've put the Mini on the back burner, but I really think it's going to do all right with handloads. I sighted it in with the 60 gr. handloads and it's sitting in the laundry room gun rack in case another coyote comes into the yard look for a chicken dinner. After the first of the year I'll get it back out and work with it some more.
The rifle itself, i.e. the design, I love. SO much handier and more practical than my AR.
35W
Try some of the heavier bullets, 68grn hornady bthhp for instance have been going in well under 2"s for me. The PMC 55s that are cheap here normally shoot about 3"s or so. Another bullet that ive seen work very well in a friends old thin barrel mini was the 70grn speer semi point. Not a very high bc, but accuracy was actually pretty astounding in his gun. Now that ive run out of the 68s, ill be buying a box of those 70s when i can afford it.
Also theres no harm in shooting the cheap factory ammo when just messing around. Ive been reserving my good handloads for hunting and accuracy work.
Also theres no harm in shooting the cheap factory ammo when just messing around. Ive been reserving my good handloads for hunting and accuracy work.
I was originally more in favor of the mini 14 (the "classicness" of it I guess) but the more I'm seeing of the keltec the more I'm liking. The mini does seem more rugged and I like the way it looks but the kel-tec SU16C seems like it would be better for close quarters, backpacking, and easier to transport since it is lighter weight and can fold. It can also still shoot folded.
Man only having the $ for one is tough (plus there are some other gaps I need to fill: hunting rifle, a .22 long rifle, and another pistol)
Man only having the $ for one is tough (plus there are some other gaps I need to fill: hunting rifle, a .22 long rifle, and another pistol)
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35 Whelen
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Fast forward 4.5 years....
So, as I indicated I bought a Mini, it was one of the "skinny" barrel models. Despite my best efforts and $100 worth of bedding, trigger work and Accu-Struts, it still shot patterns after the first three or so rounds. I found one of the newer 581 Series, used, in a pawn shop and traded my old Mini and $75 for it. Bedded it and did a trigger job and installed a compact scope and it shot much, much better than the other one. So, all should be well, but it languished in the laundry room gun rack. I dunno, heavy, a little clunky, heavy, too expensive to bounce around on the tractor or in the floorboard of a pickup...so down the road it went and the search was re-ignited. Long story short, I bought a Kel-Tec SU-16A and couldn't be happier. At 5 lbs. it weighs 30% (2 lbs.) less than the Mini, uses AR magazines, can store 2 ea. 10 round, or 1 ea. 20 or 30 round magazine in the stock, has an AR style front sight, and shot 2", 100 yd. groups right out of the box. And the icing on the cake is it folds up and neatly stores in the tool compartment under the rear seat of my pickup!
Love it!!
35W
So, as I indicated I bought a Mini, it was one of the "skinny" barrel models. Despite my best efforts and $100 worth of bedding, trigger work and Accu-Struts, it still shot patterns after the first three or so rounds. I found one of the newer 581 Series, used, in a pawn shop and traded my old Mini and $75 for it. Bedded it and did a trigger job and installed a compact scope and it shot much, much better than the other one. So, all should be well, but it languished in the laundry room gun rack. I dunno, heavy, a little clunky, heavy, too expensive to bounce around on the tractor or in the floorboard of a pickup...so down the road it went and the search was re-ignited. Long story short, I bought a Kel-Tec SU-16A and couldn't be happier. At 5 lbs. it weighs 30% (2 lbs.) less than the Mini, uses AR magazines, can store 2 ea. 10 round, or 1 ea. 20 or 30 round magazine in the stock, has an AR style front sight, and shot 2", 100 yd. groups right out of the box. And the icing on the cake is it folds up and neatly stores in the tool compartment under the rear seat of my pickup!
Love it!!
35W
Jackal
Member
I've had a few Mini's. All have been plenty accurate (all were 580 or newer). I have been fancying a Mini-14 16" tactical model though...
Now, if Ruger built a version that used AR mags, their market would explode.
Now, if Ruger built a version that used AR mags, their market would explode.
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35 Whelen
Member
...or if Kel-Tec would add to their SU line a 7.62x39 that would accept AK magazines, their market would likewise explode!
35W
bikemutt
Member
I've got a KT SU16C, it's really a decent weapon system. Very light, folds, threaded barrel, takes AR mags. Anyway, I've played with it at the range a couple times, it'll put up 1.5 MOA 5-shot groups. For what it is, a lightweight, compact carbine with a respectable trigger and accuracy that doesn't need fancy fodder to perform, it's a winner.
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