Ready to Give Up on Ruger Mini 14 Target Rifle

[BSA1]

I spent 15 years or so regular trigger time with the Mini-14 and have never used MOA and Mini in the same sentence.

 

[WardenWolf]

MachIV does have something there. Chopping the barrel can improve accuracy because the Mini barrel "whips" when firing. A shorter barrel won't have as much deviation at the tip. The addition of a muzzle brake will also help by creating a straight-line force opposite the direction of recoil, and this pull will help keep the barrel straight.

 

[itsa pain]

I would certainly expect better accuracy than what the OP is reporting out of the "target" model, but I believe MOA or better is the exception rather than the rule.

I believe there are two ways to improve the accuracy of a mini, both of which I have seen.

1) Chop the barrel. I had my 196 series stainless cut to 14.6", recrowned and a FH welded. Went from 3-4 MOA to ~2MOA. I was shocked, honestly. My purpose was not accuracy, but it proved a fringe benefit.

2) Send it to ASI and spend a small fortune. I have seen what their builds can do, but it doesn't come cheap. Expect to drop a grand or better with them for a true bull barrel, sub-MOA mini.

The Factory Ruger bull barrel and any of the aftermarket "drop-in" types are a joke, being a standard profile barrel from breech face to gas block. As R.W. said, a faux bull barrel.

first everyone says the problem with mini is it is pencil thin from the gas block forward. now the problem has switched from the chamber forward. the standard mini barrels measure the same OD as M1A M1 garand AK etc except the mini is thicker because of a 22 hole drilled in it. the target is heavy from the gas block forward. national match M1A's shoot tiny groups with standard and medium profile barrels. some guys keep comparing this target mini to 1985 minis. I bet ruger will find the problem and it will be fine

 

[kwg020]

I agree with many of you about wanting to like your Mini. Ruger has made some improvements in the barrel weight and I think it has helped. But, the basic Garand design will never be as accurate as the Stoner (M-16) design. That does not mean the Mini does not have a niche.

I think if Ruger wants to keep up with consumer demand, they have to make it so you can add more toys and attachments. A factory Ultimac rail for the upper and some rails on the stocks. Interchangeable parts such as bolts and firing pins need to be more available as well. The price is starting to get out of line as well. There are so many things you can do with the Stoner design and so few you can do with the Mini 14's. Good luck. kwg

 

[gpa mitch]

guide rod orientation

Definitely get the guide rod in correctly. from the manual:

Carefully insert recoil
spring into hole in rear of slide, and compress the recoil spring until the end of
the buffer guide rod can be reinserted into the buffer bushing (the projection
on the guide rod should be between the buffer bushing cross pin and the
barrel).

 

[Byron]

I have been very pleased with mine.I reload and began using the Hornady 55 grain V-Max. first group of 5 rounds was about 6" at 100 yards.Worked the the dampner and found moving it forward tightened the groups up.finally I got a 1/2"group at 100 yards and blowing up small rocks at 200 and blowing up clay disc at 300.I am very pleased with this rifle. Byron

 

[Abel]

I think you cleaned the barrel too much. Some barrels need to develop a little fouling before they click. I know that's not ideal for OCD types, but it is what it is.

 

[Byron]

I think Abel has an excellent point.I do not clean mine either.

 

[Jackal]

^^^ I never did clean my barrel after a few hundred rounds.

 

[WardenWolf]

There is some truth in fouling making some barrels shoot better. Fouling will build up in the pits and other imperfections of a barrel and smooth them over, effectively making the barrel more uniform. I have heard of people taking Mosin Nagants with dark lightly-pitted barrels that shot good and trying to clean them up. Well, the bore foam removed the fouling all right, but, surprise, surprise, they didn't shoot as well after that. A truly good barrel doesn't need excessive fouling to hide imperfections, but it can make a poor barrel better.