Ruger minis

[IWAC]

O.K., suppose a fellow wanted to buy a Ruger Mini 14 or Mini 30, NOT for hunting. I would like it to be as accurate as my service .30 Caliber carbine was, which was: 6-10 in. groups on a man-sized target at 300 yards.

Will either shoot that well? If so, which caliber would serve best, the -30 with heavier 125 gr bullets, or the -14 with maybe 55 gr projectiles? I will handload.

Once a fellow had the gun, the "need" to "do something" would likely strike, along with the need to spend a minimal amount on accuruization.

Retaining the stock iron sights, what are the three best, economical tweaks for the rifles?
Thanks

 

[Averageman]

Honestly your time, money and aggravation would be better spent on another platform.
I have heard of some very accurate mini's, but I haven't seen as many as I have heard about. On the other hand, I have seen most AR's have very acceptable accuracy.
Now take in to account that a Mini is going to cost you more when it comes to magazines and extras, why even pursue that road?
The Mini shined for a brief moment in time, that time pretty much ended when the number of available AR's hit the market and the price for them lowered significantly due to market pressures.

 

[Sistema1927]

If you are only looking for 3 MOA accuracy (which is what you described), and if you like the platform, then sure, go for it.

I had an early Mini-14 in the 1970's. It shot enough West Texas coyotes to pay for a couple of semesters of college. It was plenty accurate for that role out to about 250 yds.

 

[badvibes]

IWAC-

Sounds like we are in similar situations. In a nutshell what seems to be frequently described to help accuracy are shortening the barrel to @ 16", adding a weight to the barrel (even just a muzzle device of some type), and a device like the Accu-strut. I'm still reading and asking questions and trying to decide which mods to make myself. Here's some links...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=621088

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/107268-accu-strut.html

 

[Sheepdog1968]

The retooled mini-14s will meet 10" at 300 yards. I like my mini a lot. I see folks using a accustrut and they seem to be happy with it. In all honesty, if be inclined to leave the mini stock. If you want better accuracy, get the new ruger american rifle. It will be at or below 1 Moa out of the box. As to 5.56 or 7.62 caliber for the mini, it depends what you plan to do with it. If hunting is a real possibility, then I'd want the 7.62x39 round. Otherwise I'd just,stick with the 5.56 round.

 

[W.E.G.]

The only reason for acquiring a Mini-XX at current market prices is if you live someplace that prohibits you from owning an AR-based gun.

If you throw enough money at a Mini-XX it can be made to shoot OK.

Otherwise, AR in 5.56 or .300 Blackout. More accurate, and probably for less money than a Mini-XX.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

The only reason for acquiring a Mini-XX at current market prices is if you live someplace that prohibits you from owning an AR-based gun.

If you throw enough money at a Mini-XX it can be made to shoot OK.

Otherwise, AR in 5.56 or .300 Blackout. More accurate, and probably for less money than a Mini-XX.

There is some truth to this. Some of us also really like the garand style action and classic lines.

 

[W.E.G.]

I had one of each - a 5.56 and a 7.62.

The thing that made me completely crazy was having to take the gun out of the stock to clean the gas system. If you live in a place with 1% humidity, then not to worry. If you live in a place with humidity, the gas system WILL rust if you leave the carbon on it for any length of time.

I don't mind the LOOKS of them at all (except the rusted gas systems). At some point you get less interested in looking at them, and more interested in what they can do. If minute-of-oil-drum at 300 yards is adequate for your application, the Mini does OK. I prefer something that can deliver minute-of-coffee-cup. The Mini that can do that reliably is pretty much a unicorn.

 

[FROGO207]

I own three 14's and two 30's. they are what they are and not a bench rest platform. The newer retooled Mini 14 Ranch rifles are great shooters compared to the old ones that wandered as the pencil barrels heated with use. But it is still a crap shoot. I have one in SS and one blued. With a reasonable scope and doing my part using tuned hand loads I can keep it in an oil can sized target at 200YDS all day long with both of them. Looking at the cost of one versus an AR platform it just does not make economical sense presently IMHO. I got my accessories and such some time ago and traded up to accurate rifles over time when they were less money than a basic AR.Today I would probably spend the money for an AR that would shoot better if I had to get a 223/5.56 platform. The only advantage of the Mini 30 would being able to use .308 bullets when reloading as that is the barrel size. My lightly used $89 Yugo SKS is every bit as accurate as either of them and would be my choice as presently you could get two SKS's for the price of one 30 locally. I did nothing with them other than lightly buff the mating surfaces of the fire control parts to make the trigger less gritty feeling. Do let us know what you decide to get.

 

[Averageman]

I own three 14's and two 30's. they are what they are and not a bench rest platform. The newer retooled Mini 14 Ranch rifles are great shooters compared to the old ones that wandered as the pencil barrels heated with use. But it is still a crap shoot. I have one in SS and one blued. With a reasonable scope and doing my part using tuned hand loads I can keep it in an oil can sized target at 200YDS all day long with both of them. Looking at the cost of one versus an AR platform it just does not make economical sense presently IMHO. I got my accessories and such some time ago and traded up to accurate rifles over time when they were less money than a basic AR.Today I would probably spend the money for an AR that would shoot better if I had to get a 223/5.56 platform. The only advantage of the Mini 30 would being able to use .308 bullets when reloading as that is the barrel size. My lightly used $89 Yugo SKS is every bit as accurate as either of them and would be my choice as presently you could get two SKS's for the price of one 30 locally. I did nothing with them other than lightly buff the mating surfaces of the fire control parts to make the trigger less gritty feeling. Do let us know what you decide to get.

This has been my observation over the years also.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I bought a 580 series Mini-14 back in 2009, during the Obama panic, for $800 out the door.

I'm fortunate because this thing is a shooter! From a bench, I can get 1.5" (5) shot groups at 100 yards. Its been totally reliable and I haven't field stripped in 3000 rounds fired, still runs like a clock.

The accuracy is still just as good as it was, when it was new.

 

[HammsBeer]

IWAC, let me save you a bunch of grief from someone who shoots both. If you want a handy reliable shooter that will reasonably hit targets out to 300 yards but you don't need absolute tack driving accuracy, a Mini with factory mags is just fine.

If you are really interested in tight groups and more precise target shooting with more options than you could ever hope for at ridiculously low prices today, get an AR.

Don't spend a dime accurizing a Mini when a base model AR will out shoot it for less $$$. But if you like the Mini action, go for it.

 

[dvdcrr]

Is there any truth to the statement the newer minis are more accurate?

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Yeah, the 580 series is much improved over the old ones. Ruger completely re-tooled the production of them in 2007 I believe. They have heavier barrels, tighter tolerances and better triggers.

Also, my Mini shoot's the same groups that my S&W M&P sport does.....1.5" at 100 yards.

I agree that the AR is much more easily upgraded, cheaper to buy and much easier to field strip.

 

[kBob]

Wow! I just want one of those carbines that will do 6-10 inches at 300 yards!

Assuming we are talking about the M-1 carbine.

If the M4 then Meempff.


Actually the cheapest easiest thing to do to an older mini is to replace those iron sights you did not want to change with tech sights.

If you do a serious search of "the literature" on the subject of improving a Mini it will seem that almost anything you can think to do improves it and someone will champions that technique as the Ne Plus Ultra.

Folks make amazing claims for whatever they try. There is a group that swear shortening the barrel will tighten groups by an amazing amount. Then there is the muzzle attachment crowd that insist that putting about any sort of do hickey on the muzzle, be it muzzle brake compensator or flash suppressor, is all it takes to halve mini groups. Then comes the gas port crowd that insist that the normal gas port is too large and the rifle does bizarre things so they drop little limiters into their gas system for fantastic results. There are even those that think a buffer, a little H shaped bit of plastic, can turn a Mini into an international match rifle. Last comes the crew that want to hang a weight under the barrel, everything from brand name "Accu-struts" to Mini Mag flash lights, to a section of rebar in barrel clamps get used by folks who claim success in making the Mini shoot minute of claim groups.

There are also the some what esoteric crowd that want to deep freeze the barrel or lap it or bed the stock based on M-1 Garand and M-14 techniques or even try the M-1 rifle and M-14 trigger polishing.

Basically it almost looks like if you look at a Mini -14 hard enough it will get better.

I have often wonder why no one has tried doing it all to a mini and going for some national records.

Personally I just shoot my Mini and go "How about that? It is as accurate as anyone's Winchester 94 with factory ammo in the 1960s" and don't worry about it.

If you want something that shoots like an M-4, get a 16 inch barreled AR tricked out like an M-4 and don't worry about that either.

-kBob

 

[CPLofMARINES]

I love Ruger, but the Mini's are overpriced.

 

[FlyingScot]

If you can get one on a deal

Then get it. I have an early 580 with the thicker barrel, but they re profiled them for 581 series to even heavier profile and those are supposed to be even more accurate. Mine does benefit from an accustrut, is stainless composite.

Mine is a boat gun for running to the islands / fun shooter. For rough environments and reliability, this and AK are pretty similar. Mine is plenty accurate though I'm sure later ones are better. Minute o'pie plate as they say. I like it, like the action's reliability and only mod is a buffer. Throw brass like crazy and one of these days will get a modified bushing.

But...they are pricey compared to building a PSA or similar AR. I think my Colt 6720 was $599 on sale last year and pretty sure I paid at that or more for my mini. Good luck - I'm glad I have mine and shoot it.

 

[skoro]

I bought my Mini-14 six years ago. It's the model with the newer bull barrel. My range has a 12" gong at 300 yards that's no problem to hit consistently.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I bought a 581 series Mini 14 tactical version, got a Leupold 2x7x33 on it, can get 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. also have an older model and a mini 30 both have the thin barrels, shoot ok till barrel gets warm and then they shoot Minute of Pie Plate.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

What you're asking is within the mini's ballpark. I've had one since 1990 and we still use them at work. My only serious regret is not buying a stainless one, it makes for a much more durable rifle that needs less love when exposed to the elements or vehicle storage for extended periods--the gas block is especially vulnerable to rusting up a bit on the blued models. Whichever rifle you get, be sure to get some factory mags if you need fail-safe performance; many aftermarkets will work, but you really have to test them individually.

 

[bluzman]

O.K., suppose a fellow wanted to buy a Ruger Mini 14 or Mini 30, NOT for hunting. I would like it to be as accurate as my service .30 Caliber carbine was, which was: 6-10 in. groups on a man-sized target at 300 yards.

Will either shoot that well? If so, which caliber would serve best, the -30 with heavier 125 gr bullets, or the -14 with maybe 55 gr projectiles? I will handload.

Once a fellow had the gun, the "need" to "do something" would likely strike, along with the need to spend a minimal amount on accuruization.

Retaining the stock iron sights, what are the three best, economical tweaks for the rifles?
Thanks

Here's my 581 series Mini 14. It will do what you've described all day long.

 

[M1key]

Gave up on the '14. Shot well, but the AR was callin' me back. Can we say PTAC? Yahoo.

Got one configured the way I like: 4150 steel, nitrided, heavy barrel rifle kit. $319.99. PSA knocked 20 bucks off while it was sitting in my cart (which paid for shipping). I guess they thought I needed a little incentive....LOL

Anyway, I still have the Mini-30 Tactical. On a good day, when my eyes can see the irons and the targets--2 MOA with handloads.

M

 

[JO JO]

I like mini 14 bought one in the 90's for $350 sold it and went with the AR platform way more options for the AR and I just don't feel the mini 14 is worth
The sticker price and their factory mags are costly to

 

[Kame B.]

I would like to say something in defense on behalf of the little 14. I got mine in 1997, it is a 188 series with the pencil barrel. It came with a 5 round magazine, and that is just about what the rifle was good for. Now as of last March of this year, I finally got the guts to re-barreled my mini, but my old pencil barrel would hit the bulls eye with the first shot, and where I come from that first shot is what counts. But other than that it would groups 2 inches at 100 yards with patients and It mostly shoot 3 to 4 inch groups with haste. I blame the accusations on the inaccuracy of the mini on the trigger. It is a 2 stage trigger, and very fickle, pull it back the wrong way and you will be 6 to 8 inches off zero. Patients and practice really goes into shooting one of these rifles. These are great rifles that can last a life time if you love it enough. As far as price goes, it really depends on where you live. My local Wal-Mart has been selling a wood stock 5 rounder with scope rings Ruger Ranch mini 14 for $627.00. I can also find used ones in pawn shops for about 400 to 500 bucks. And as far as modifications goes, well if you want to play lego they sell stocks with rail systems for the mini, so getting accessories for that is no big deal. But more extensive modifications for the mini can either be a headache or a piece of cake, It depends on how you go about doing it.

I bought a ready to install heavy barrel from Shilen and got my local gunsmith to install the barrel and set the gas block. Barrel was 230 bucks and the install was 90 bucks and only took him an hour to put it on. And you would think it would have added a great deal of weight to it, but it only added a pound to the rifle, so we went from a 7 pound mini to a 8 pound mini. Not bad for a sub MOA Mini 14.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Kame-When you say your gunsmith set the gas block did he bore it to fit the larger barrel?