Ruger Mini-14: what do you think?
- Thread starter 357wheelgunner
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natedog
Member
Where'd you get your barrel chopped, Dave?
nero45acp
Member
I know that this is silly question; but why doesn't Ruger fix/improve the mini-14 itself? Surely Ruger has heard of the complaints concerning their mini-14. I find in inconceivable that after all these years they haven't made the simple changes necessary to make the mini-14 a superlative rifle it could be! Personally, I'd gladly pay an extra $100-$200 for a factory improved/updated mini-14!
nero
nero
natedog
Member
accuracy systems inc.
Mr Jody Hudson
Member
I keep wanting to own a mini that is as accurate as what I hear... I've had 7 of them, paid less than I sold them for, and none of them were even close to the claimed accuracies I see, and have seen for years... 
A good friend of mine PROMISED me his would shoot 2 moa or less... it did not come close for him or me that day... more like 8 to 12 moa...
None of mine have been less than 20 moa!!!!! I don't know why and I don't think anyone is lying; maybe Ruger sprites just hate me.
I watched a LOT of A Team shows and I really want a folding stock mini but I just can not find one, new or used, that will hit anything for me...
I now have an SAR and LOVE IT.
I can't believe no one has brought up the SAR in the smaller caliber. Mine is about 4 moa, usually less, iron sighted, small, light, cheap and cheap to feed on Rusky ammo.
Personally, I want one bad, but I guess the Ruger sprites (must be trolls) won't let me have one that is accurate.:banghead:
A good friend of mine PROMISED me his would shoot 2 moa or less... it did not come close for him or me that day... more like 8 to 12 moa...
None of mine have been less than 20 moa!!!!! I don't know why and I don't think anyone is lying; maybe Ruger sprites just hate me.
I watched a LOT of A Team shows and I really want a folding stock mini but I just can not find one, new or used, that will hit anything for me...
I now have an SAR and LOVE IT.
I can't believe no one has brought up the SAR in the smaller caliber. Mine is about 4 moa, usually less, iron sighted, small, light, cheap and cheap to feed on Rusky ammo.
Personally, I want one bad, but I guess the Ruger sprites (must be trolls) won't let me have one that is accurate.:banghead:
Hkmp5sd
Member
Yea, but they couldn't hit anything either. They had a 20 minute gun fight in every episode and never killed a single person. (And they were using the AC556)
Mr Jody Hudson
Member
Perhaps THAT is the problem. My mini training was via A Team! Ahhhh... you are smart! That is the first decent explanation for my alarming inaccuracy with these little guns! :banghead:
That is the first decent explanation for my alarming inaccuracy with these little guns! :banghead:
Mr Jody Hudson
Member
Mace,
Is that in .223 and where do you find this, online hopefully...? Please?
Is that in .223 and where do you find this, online hopefully...? Please?
Jody...
ASI
www.accuracysystemsinc.com
Yup, .223, 1/2 inch MOA guarantee....she delivers...
MaceWindu
ASI
www.accuracysystemsinc.com
Yup, .223, 1/2 inch MOA guarantee....she delivers...
MaceWindu
BluesBear
member
Back the bus up.
A Minute Of Angle @ 100yds is approximately 1".
So half of a Minute Of Angle @ 100 yds would be ½".
Now a dime is larger than ½".
So you're trying to tell us that you have a rifle that shoots a group over 2" @ 80yds but that it's groups will shrink down to ½" just 20 yds further?
Colour me skeptical.
A Minute Of Angle @ 100yds is approximately 1".
So half of a Minute Of Angle @ 100 yds would be ½".
Now a dime is larger than ½".
So you're trying to tell us that you have a rifle that shoots a group over 2" @ 80yds but that it's groups will shrink down to ½" just 20 yds further?
Colour me skeptical.
BluesBear ...
A Minute Of Angle @ 100yds is approximately 1".
So half of a Minute Of Angle @ 100 yds would be ½".
Now a dime is larger than ½".
So you're trying to tell us that you have a rifle that shoots a group over 2" @ 80yds but that it's groups will shrink down to ½" just 20 yds further?
Colour me skeptical.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Let me help you...
Look carefully @ the target, there are 3 groups there..
5 shots @ the top, 4 shots to the right, and 8 shots bottom left...
So do you see all of the shots that actully CLOVER LEAF
!!!
HELLO? This was done with an EoTech Halo sight which has no magnification....If I put a 3x or 4x on there, is there any doubt my groups would be all clover leafs.
TAKE A BIG DRINK OF THAT HATORADE 32 oz drink!!!
Oh yeah, please put pics of YOUR GROUPS?!?!?!
MaceWindu (retracting lightsaber)
A Minute Of Angle @ 100yds is approximately 1".
So half of a Minute Of Angle @ 100 yds would be ½".
Now a dime is larger than ½".
So you're trying to tell us that you have a rifle that shoots a group over 2" @ 80yds but that it's groups will shrink down to ½" just 20 yds further?
Colour me skeptical.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Let me help you...
Look carefully @ the target, there are 3 groups there..
5 shots @ the top, 4 shots to the right, and 8 shots bottom left...
So do you see all of the shots that actully CLOVER LEAF
!!!HELLO? This was done with an EoTech Halo sight which has no magnification....If I put a 3x or 4x on there, is there any doubt my groups would be all clover leafs.
TAKE A BIG DRINK OF THAT HATORADE 32 oz drink!!!
Oh yeah, please put pics of YOUR GROUPS?!?!?!
MaceWindu (retracting lightsaber)
Last edited:
BluesBear
member
ROFL Oh my how droll!
My groups make no difference. Especially since I don't own a Mini-14.
I have been outshot a few times. So have you.
But I was not the one who posted a picture and started bragging.
How were any of us to know you had shot a FIVE shot group right NEXT to a FOUR shot group and then fired an EIGHT shot group right below those?
You must think we all work for Dionne Warwick.
And perhaps next time explain your grougs before you post. They'll be mich more believable that way.
So slide down off that high-horse, Don Quixote, the windmills will wait. Just be careful you don't hang those huge stones on the saddle horn, belly up to the bar and have a cool one to chill out.
Now that you have cooled off, let me, help you a little.
A US Dime is approximately ¾" in diameter.
So it looks like maybe only the 4 shot group would classify as ½MOA and that would be only at 80 yards.
Who knows what the spread would be at 100. 20 yards can make a big difference.
The other two groups are larger than the dime thus they are larger than ¾" and are still at less than 100 yards.
You do have to count the entire group not just those few in the center.So if you want to brag about ½MOA@100yards that's fine. Go shoot some groups at 100 yards in front of witnesses and then post those photos.
Sven
Senior Member
Even a blind pig finds a nut now and then - here's my proof:
2 shots offhand 100 yards
m1a
shoulda kept shooting to see how long i could go
but felt i was pushing my luck
2 shots offhand 100 yards
m1a
shoulda kept shooting to see how long i could go
but felt i was pushing my luck
dbshabo
Member
If you accept the rifle for what it was designed for, it's a fine little rifle. The AR platform is by far more accurate and more expensive. The mini-14 is a fine truck gun. Built solid to take some abuse and still function. Too bad good quality hi-cap mags are not available. Notice I said good quality mags. If Ruger was to fix the flaws of the gun it would raise the price and add weight. Light weight and low cost are two of the attractive features of the gun. I would buy an AR before I'd spend a lot of $$ to have a mini accurized. Just my opinion. Like I said before if you accept it for what it is, it's a nice handy, light weight, affordable, and fun to shoot rifle.
Shabo
Shabo
Bluesbear...
I was not bragging about my shooting, I was indicating what the RIFLE can do. The thread was regarding the MINI-14, not MaceWindu's groups. I was simply posting an example.
If you don't have a Mini-14 (no sarcasm intended here), then why post a response if you have no first hand knowledge of the rifle? ASI gaurantee's the rifle not the shooter.
I, nor can ANYONE, outshoot the ASi mini. Bluebear, if you don't like my groups, go to www.accuracysystemsinc.com and look at the target posts there regarding the ASI mini's capability's. This thread in regarding the Mini-14 NOT the AR.
Must there always be someone hating on another mans toy?
Bluesbear, considering my groups, would the BG be any less dead?
Is it so hard to appreciate someone elses toys?
MaceWindu
I was not bragging about my shooting, I was indicating what the RIFLE can do. The thread was regarding the MINI-14, not MaceWindu's groups. I was simply posting an example.
If you don't have a Mini-14 (no sarcasm intended here), then why post a response if you have no first hand knowledge of the rifle? ASI gaurantee's the rifle not the shooter.
I, nor can ANYONE, outshoot the ASi mini. Bluebear, if you don't like my groups, go to www.accuracysystemsinc.com and look at the target posts there regarding the ASI mini's capability's. This thread in regarding the Mini-14 NOT the AR.
Must there always be someone hating on another mans toy?
Bluesbear, considering my groups, would the BG be any less dead?
Is it so hard to appreciate someone elses toys?
MaceWindu
I've never understood the hate that some people build up for some guns.
The Mini 14 in particular seems to bring this out in some people.
If you want to mod a Mini yourself, for minimum $$, here's how:
1. Barrel cut and recrown- $90
2. Gas bushing- $10
3. Re-torque gas port- $0
4. Trigger job- $55
5. Brownell's bedding kit from Midway- $20
6. Muzzle brake- $20
7. Modify rear sight- $4
8. Cryo- $45 (Haven't done this yet. Not sure I will.)
(These prices will vary, depending on where you get the work done.)
So far I've got around $200 on top of the cost of the gun, not counting a cheap scope and mount.
(I don't intend to keep a scope on the gun.)
Around $700 total.
The neat thing is, you can do it incrementally.
Spend a few bucks here and there.
When you get the gun to the place you want, it, you can stop.
A Bushmaster here would cost $800. (Not really fair to include a kit-built gun, as the Bushmaster or Mini 14 have factory warranty support.)
I haven't had my gun out for final accuracy testing, but a previous gun gave 2" at 100 yards, with open sights. If you could see how tiny that dot is to my eyes at 100 yards, you would appreciate how slick that is.
On the previous gun, I only did the bedding, and gas port.
I'm anxious to see how this one turns out.
No I don't have an AR15.
But, here's the kicker:
I didn't want an AR!
There is nothing wrong with an AR. I had one that I liked, but it just didn't light my fire.
I've always liked the World War II looks of the Mini 14.
If somebody wants a Mini 14, it's not a crime.
(And I can't leave without addressing the magazine issue.
PMI mags are as good as factory Ruger mags. $30- 40 new, in-the-bag. They are made of steel. Aluminum AR mags, in really worn condition can be had for $8-10.
New-in-the-box can run $30 or more.
A steel mag will last longer than an aluminum mag.
Apples to oranges.)
The Mini 14 in particular seems to bring this out in some people.
If you want to mod a Mini yourself, for minimum $$, here's how:
1. Barrel cut and recrown- $90
2. Gas bushing- $10
3. Re-torque gas port- $0
4. Trigger job- $55
5. Brownell's bedding kit from Midway- $20
6. Muzzle brake- $20
7. Modify rear sight- $4
8. Cryo- $45 (Haven't done this yet. Not sure I will.)
(These prices will vary, depending on where you get the work done.)
So far I've got around $200 on top of the cost of the gun, not counting a cheap scope and mount.
(I don't intend to keep a scope on the gun.)
Around $700 total.
The neat thing is, you can do it incrementally.
Spend a few bucks here and there.
When you get the gun to the place you want, it, you can stop.
A Bushmaster here would cost $800. (Not really fair to include a kit-built gun, as the Bushmaster or Mini 14 have factory warranty support.)
I haven't had my gun out for final accuracy testing, but a previous gun gave 2" at 100 yards, with open sights. If you could see how tiny that dot is to my eyes at 100 yards, you would appreciate how slick that is.
On the previous gun, I only did the bedding, and gas port.
I'm anxious to see how this one turns out.
No I don't have an AR15.
But, here's the kicker:
I didn't want an AR!
There is nothing wrong with an AR. I had one that I liked, but it just didn't light my fire.
I've always liked the World War II looks of the Mini 14.
If somebody wants a Mini 14, it's not a crime.
(And I can't leave without addressing the magazine issue.
PMI mags are as good as factory Ruger mags. $30- 40 new, in-the-bag. They are made of steel. Aluminum AR mags, in really worn condition can be had for $8-10.
New-in-the-box can run $30 or more.
A steel mag will last longer than an aluminum mag.
Apples to oranges.)
BluesBear
member
Where in the world did you get the idea that I hate the Mini-14?
Perhaps you'd better read through this thread again. You'll find no disparaging remarks from me regarding the Mini.
In fact I was just defending the Mini-14 in another thread a few days ago.
The only real complaint I have ever had with them is that the AC556K gets way too hot, way too fast in rock'n'roll mode and POA shifts noticably.
Just because I don't currently own one doesn't mean I have no experience with them. Now I freely admit that I have only owned three (#1 was blued 180 series that I bought in 1976 and sold a few years later to buy #2, a blued semi-GB that I later sold to a collector in 1991 for WAY too much money, and #3 was a stainless model I bought new in 1981 and only owned for a few months until I realized I just really can't warm up a stainless steel rifle) and I only sold about four dozen or so of them to satisfied customers. After all I was just a small dealer.
I'm not questioning it's potential for accuracy either. Most out of the box Mini-14s will be more acccurate than most people can shoot offhand anyway. Especially with the right ammunition.
I do, however, think that Ruger could do a little more to improve out of the box accuracy without compromising the reliability. And the only reliability problems I have ever experienced was with inferior magazines. I have never had a problem with genuine Ruger 20 & 30 round mags.
I never said I didn't appreciate y'alls toys
It's just that I can't appreciate your mathmatical ability.
¾"@80yds is still not ½MOA@100yds.
And no amount of trying to redirect the discussion will change that.
Perhaps you'd better read through this thread again. You'll find no disparaging remarks from me regarding the Mini.
In fact I was just defending the Mini-14 in another thread a few days ago.
The only real complaint I have ever had with them is that the AC556K gets way too hot, way too fast in rock'n'roll mode and POA shifts noticably.
Just because I don't currently own one doesn't mean I have no experience with them. Now I freely admit that I have only owned three (#1 was blued 180 series that I bought in 1976 and sold a few years later to buy #2, a blued semi-GB that I later sold to a collector in 1991 for WAY too much money, and #3 was a stainless model I bought new in 1981 and only owned for a few months until I realized I just really can't warm up a stainless steel rifle) and I only sold about four dozen or so of them to satisfied customers. After all I was just a small dealer.
I'm not questioning it's potential for accuracy either. Most out of the box Mini-14s will be more acccurate than most people can shoot offhand anyway. Especially with the right ammunition.
I do, however, think that Ruger could do a little more to improve out of the box accuracy without compromising the reliability. And the only reliability problems I have ever experienced was with inferior magazines. I have never had a problem with genuine Ruger 20 & 30 round mags.
I never said I didn't appreciate y'alls toys
It's just that I can't appreciate your mathmatical ability.
¾"@80yds is still not ½MOA@100yds.
And no amount of trying to redirect the discussion will change that.
So.....
NE WAYS....
The ASI Mini is a great plinker. A bit more $$$, but I like nice toys. Not everyone can appreciate them but some people just need to prove something. It can far outshoot me. I would recommend it....so there is no need to redirect anything for anyone.
MaceWindu
NE WAYS....
The ASI Mini is a great plinker. A bit more $$$, but I like nice toys. Not everyone can appreciate them but some people just need to prove something. It can far outshoot me. I would recommend it....so there is no need to redirect anything for anyone.
MaceWindu
rjcardinal
Member
Groups with an ASI Mini-30
Here are some groups that I shot with my ASI Mini-30. This is the only time I have shot the rifle. These were shot during the break-in procedure(cleaning after every round), zeroing the scope, and shooting off the back of a pick-up truck bedcover. Shooting groups was not the tall order of the day. I was really there to break-in the barrel and zero the scope nevertheless the ASI Mini-30 returned 1" groups.
This was using Winchester 7.62x39 FMJ 123grain. The target is a NRA 50 Feet Smallbore Target.
Pics of the rifle are in another Mini-14 tread on this site.
Groups
Here are some groups that I shot with my ASI Mini-30. This is the only time I have shot the rifle. These were shot during the break-in procedure(cleaning after every round), zeroing the scope, and shooting off the back of a pick-up truck bedcover. Shooting groups was not the tall order of the day. I was really there to break-in the barrel and zero the scope nevertheless the ASI Mini-30 returned 1" groups.
This was using Winchester 7.62x39 FMJ 123grain. The target is a NRA 50 Feet Smallbore Target.
Pics of the rifle are in another Mini-14 tread on this site.
Groups
rjcardinal
Member
Proof with the calipers.
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