I know this will prob. get me banned for life just for confessing this, but am building a long distance mini 14 ranch. (this from a guy who races 60 mph riding lawnmowers). I have had good luck out to 300 yds with my loved on 196 series mini, but I plan to take it out to 500 this weekend and try to ring some steel with it. Have any other hide members played with the much maligned mini, and if so have you rebarrelled it with a heavier pipe (think this might be the next mod). I will provide a range report for your amusement (hopefully better than most expect) after Saturday, Jeff
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flame on
- Thread starter persistant7500
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Re: flame on
I sighted in a scoped one for a friend last year, and was surprised at how well it shot. Better than I had expected. Sighted at about 60-70yd, it was back on target again on the 200yd gong (about 10"). Shot several 55gr cheapo loads and my handload equally well, mostly to the same POI's. Not a match rifle, not as good as my old AR, but worth keeping.
Greg
I sighted in a scoped one for a friend last year, and was surprised at how well it shot. Better than I had expected. Sighted at about 60-70yd, it was back on target again on the 200yd gong (about 10"). Shot several 55gr cheapo loads and my handload equally well, mostly to the same POI's. Not a match rifle, not as good as my old AR, but worth keeping.
Greg
Re: flame on
I think the only hit you face is the paucity of parts available to make the mods to a mini yourself as can be done to an AR. I have a wood stocked, stainless mini-14 circa 1986, and love it for what it is. I don't apologize for it and I don't plan on ever getting rid of it!
For Christ's sake it's not as though it's a Hi-Point carbine
!
I think the only hit you face is the paucity of parts available to make the mods to a mini yourself as can be done to an AR. I have a wood stocked, stainless mini-14 circa 1986, and love it for what it is. I don't apologize for it and I don't plan on ever getting rid of it!
For Christ's sake it's not as though it's a Hi-Point carbine
Re: flame on
I took a friends Mini-14 and with open sights rang a 250yrd steel within three shots. I made hits with it to 450. I don't feel it is repeatable enough to be called precision.
I took a friends Mini-14 and with open sights rang a 250yrd steel within three shots. I made hits with it to 450. I don't feel it is repeatable enough to be called precision.
Re: flame on
I think you can get to 500 yrds. I loaded some 69g seirra hpbt up for a mini I had. I could tell after just a few shots the rifle liked the bullet. I'm pretty sure the mini has a 1/7 twist rate so it's going to like a heavier bulit, and this will help with the longer shot as well. If you reload try to set your bulit depth out to mag lenght. My load for my AR is 69g hpbt and 25.7 grains of RE-15.
Good luck, let us know if you make some hits.
I think you can get to 500 yrds. I loaded some 69g seirra hpbt up for a mini I had. I could tell after just a few shots the rifle liked the bullet. I'm pretty sure the mini has a 1/7 twist rate so it's going to like a heavier bulit, and this will help with the longer shot as well. If you reload try to set your bulit depth out to mag lenght. My load for my AR is 69g hpbt and 25.7 grains of RE-15.
Good luck, let us know if you make some hits.
Re: flame on
Mini's are good guns, but not known for precision, most will shoot 1.5-2" if you really play with the handloads (and a little trigger work helps).
My AR's will shoot 1-1.5" with cheap 55gr stuff, where the several Mini's I have had will only shoot the same into 3-4".
The one I have now will hold 1.5" with reloads.
I consider them great 300 yard combat guns, which is what they were designed to be.
Mini's are good guns, but not known for precision, most will shoot 1.5-2" if you really play with the handloads (and a little trigger work helps).
My AR's will shoot 1-1.5" with cheap 55gr stuff, where the several Mini's I have had will only shoot the same into 3-4".
The one I have now will hold 1.5" with reloads.
I consider them great 300 yard combat guns, which is what they were designed to be.
Re: flame on
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hellbender</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mini's are good guns, but not known for precision, most will shoot 1.5-2" if you really play with the handloads (and a little trigger work helps).
My AR's will shoot 1-1.5" with cheap 55gr stuff, where the several Mini's I have had will only shoot the same into 3-4".
The one I have now will hold 1.5" with reloads.
I consider them great 300 yard combat guns, <span style="color: #FF0000">which is what they were designed to be</span>. </div></div>
pretty sure they were designed as Ranch guns, to help give you a handy rifle to control critters.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hellbender</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mini's are good guns, but not known for precision, most will shoot 1.5-2" if you really play with the handloads (and a little trigger work helps).
My AR's will shoot 1-1.5" with cheap 55gr stuff, where the several Mini's I have had will only shoot the same into 3-4".
The one I have now will hold 1.5" with reloads.
I consider them great 300 yard combat guns, <span style="color: #FF0000">which is what they were designed to be</span>. </div></div>
pretty sure they were designed as Ranch guns, to help give you a handy rifle to control critters.
Re: flame on
I don't think that you'll get too much flaming for your post, but the Mini has its limitations unless you want to throw a lot of good money after bad only to end up with a multi-thousand dollar Ruger Ranch Rifle?!?!?
Rebarreling would be a decent place to start, maybe bedding the rifle, maybe tuning the gas system, maybe...anyway, if you are serious about having a Mini that SHOOTS, check out what Accuracy Systems has to offer:
http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php
I have shot some of their AR-10 uppers and complete rifles and can attest to the quality of their work. I know that they offer rebarreling of the Mini's with medium and heavy barrels and "harmonic tuners", but it all just depends on your pain/pocketbook threshold as to what all you want to do to have a longer range rifle out of your Mini.
Good luck!
I don't think that you'll get too much flaming for your post, but the Mini has its limitations unless you want to throw a lot of good money after bad only to end up with a multi-thousand dollar Ruger Ranch Rifle?!?!?
Rebarreling would be a decent place to start, maybe bedding the rifle, maybe tuning the gas system, maybe...anyway, if you are serious about having a Mini that SHOOTS, check out what Accuracy Systems has to offer:
http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php
I have shot some of their AR-10 uppers and complete rifles and can attest to the quality of their work. I know that they offer rebarreling of the Mini's with medium and heavy barrels and "harmonic tuners", but it all just depends on your pain/pocketbook threshold as to what all you want to do to have a longer range rifle out of your Mini.
Good luck!
Re: flame on
a little more about my mini, it's a thin barrel mdl, that has 1911 buffers at the gas block and receiver. I have installed the smaller gas bushing .042, I have glass bedded it and have done a trigger job per the video by great western gunsmith. I have gotten it to group at 1" at 100 with a 5 shot group pretty consistant out of a 1 in 9 tube. I have considered shortening the barrel but I am afraid of losing to much velocity out of it. Does anyone know how a .223 69 grain does going out of a 16" barrel?
a little more about my mini, it's a thin barrel mdl, that has 1911 buffers at the gas block and receiver. I have installed the smaller gas bushing .042, I have glass bedded it and have done a trigger job per the video by great western gunsmith. I have gotten it to group at 1" at 100 with a 5 shot group pretty consistant out of a 1 in 9 tube. I have considered shortening the barrel but I am afraid of losing to much velocity out of it. Does anyone know how a .223 69 grain does going out of a 16" barrel?
Re: flame on
sorry it took so long to get back, cut my right index finger carrying target stands for the air rifle team and still haven't gotten much feeling back in it. I did however take the mini out this last weekend and set a 12" plate out at 500. With the 75 grain amax's that I have to load one at a time with I was able to ring it 6 out of 10 shots, but was all over the thing on the hits. I won't call it a long range shooter but it will keep the little blue helmets down if the time ever comes. Jeff
sorry it took so long to get back, cut my right index finger carrying target stands for the air rifle team and still haven't gotten much feeling back in it. I did however take the mini out this last weekend and set a 12" plate out at 500. With the 75 grain amax's that I have to load one at a time with I was able to ring it 6 out of 10 shots, but was all over the thing on the hits. I won't call it a long range shooter but it will keep the little blue helmets down if the time ever comes. Jeff
Re: flame on
That's not too shabby at all for a Mini...60% hit rate on a 12" plate at 500yds!! Many people would say that was all but impossible!! Nice work, sir!!
Out of curiosity, with your 75gr A-Max loads, are you seeing any signs of bullet instability/tumbling/keyholing? I only ask because 75gr from a 1:9 twist barrel is pushing the envelope. You may try stepping down to a lighter bullet.
That's not too shabby at all for a Mini...60% hit rate on a 12" plate at 500yds!! Many people would say that was all but impossible!! Nice work, sir!!
Out of curiosity, with your 75gr A-Max loads, are you seeing any signs of bullet instability/tumbling/keyholing? I only ask because 75gr from a 1:9 twist barrel is pushing the envelope. You may try stepping down to a lighter bullet.
Re: flame on
Hope the finger gets better, especially with it being the trigger finger. Tne Mini-14 is better than it's given credit for, or at least it can be. I have a standard Ranch rifle and the target rifle that has the 22" heavy barrel w/ the harmonic tuner & thumbhole stock. Haven't got to shoot them at your distance but they do good at 100 yds. I have some 69gr. Sierra BTHP's loaded to try in the target rifle if I ever get the chance.
Hope the finger gets better, especially with it being the trigger finger. Tne Mini-14 is better than it's given credit for, or at least it can be. I have a standard Ranch rifle and the target rifle that has the 22" heavy barrel w/ the harmonic tuner & thumbhole stock. Haven't got to shoot them at your distance but they do good at 100 yds. I have some 69gr. Sierra BTHP's loaded to try in the target rifle if I ever get the chance.
Re: flame on
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYshooter338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
pretty sure they were designed as Ranch guns, to help give you a handy rifle to control critters. </div></div>
Which came first, the semi design for controlling critters on the ranch, or the selct-fire design (AAC556) for controlling critters in the yard (at the big house)?
Vermin control at close to moderate distance either way........
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYshooter338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
pretty sure they were designed as Ranch guns, to help give you a handy rifle to control critters. </div></div>
Which came first, the semi design for controlling critters on the ranch, or the selct-fire design (AAC556) for controlling critters in the yard (at the big house)?
Vermin control at close to moderate distance either way........
Re: flame on
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cal50</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Better than AK accuracy..... </div></div>
Have you trieed a 556 AK with the hammer forged Steyr barrels (Arsenal)??
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cal50</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Better than AK accuracy..... </div></div>
Have you trieed a 556 AK with the hammer forged Steyr barrels (Arsenal)??
Re: flame on
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cal50</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Better than AK accuracy..... </div></div>
Have you trieed a 556 AK with the hammer forged Steyr barrels (Arsenal)?? </div></div>
Amen to that! I was absolutely amazed with the accuracy of my SLR-106FR (compared to other AKs and variants) once I put some quality ammo through it (my 77gr reloads and BH 68gr Blue Box). The 1:7 twist, hammer forged barrel on the rifle is very nice. I didn't buy it to shoot sub-moa groups (and it obviously won't), but I was pleased to see groups around 1.5MOA with good ammo (out to 200yds...furthest I have gotten to shoot it). Ball ammo and surplus crap averages 2.5MOA or slightly more. That is with an 8x POSP mounted in a BP-02 mount. I haven't shot mine out to 500yds, but I'd venture to say that 12" steel plates at that range would be do-able.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cal50</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Better than AK accuracy..... </div></div>
Have you trieed a 556 AK with the hammer forged Steyr barrels (Arsenal)?? </div></div>
Amen to that! I was absolutely amazed with the accuracy of my SLR-106FR (compared to other AKs and variants) once I put some quality ammo through it (my 77gr reloads and BH 68gr Blue Box). The 1:7 twist, hammer forged barrel on the rifle is very nice. I didn't buy it to shoot sub-moa groups (and it obviously won't), but I was pleased to see groups around 1.5MOA with good ammo (out to 200yds...furthest I have gotten to shoot it). Ball ammo and surplus crap averages 2.5MOA or slightly more. That is with an 8x POSP mounted in a BP-02 mount. I haven't shot mine out to 500yds, but I'd venture to say that 12" steel plates at that range would be do-able.
Re: flame on
The well dressed mini.....
http://s645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/cal50/HS%20mylar/ruger%20mini/?albumview=slideshow
The well dressed mini.....
http://s645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/cal50/HS%20mylar/ruger%20mini/?albumview=slideshow
Re: flame on
Cal50,
Which flash suppressor is that on your mini and which folding stock, if you please?
Cal50,
Which flash suppressor is that on your mini and which folding stock, if you please?
Re: flame on
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cal50,
Which flash suppressor is that on your mini and which folding stock, if you please? </div></div>
That's a factory ruger folder.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cal50,
Which flash suppressor is that on your mini and which folding stock, if you please? </div></div>
That's a factory ruger folder.
Re: flame on
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cal50,
Which flash suppressor is that on your mini and which folding stock, if you please? </div></div>
As snyper said it's a factory Ruger folding stock. The flash hider I believe was a Choate.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=637423
I made some changes to the sight base. I TIG welded the sight "ears" and post to the body of the sight. I also cut off the end of the flash hider itself. I turned the MINI-14 barrel diameter down in my lathe and threaded the end of my MINI barrel. I then slid the sight body over the barrel,indexed and pinned it in place. A standard flash hider or any 1/2-28 threaded accessories can then be attached directly to my threaded barrel.
My rifle was a standard mini put into a factory folding stock. I also put a sling swivel on the factory gas block (like the GB model). The factory GB model has a front sight post with a better style but it's placed back from the muzzle several inches (to attach a bayonet). I put mine closer to the muzzle for a better sight picture / longer sight radius.
Mini's are a true crap shoot for accuracy.This one happens to shoot well so I did a few mods to make it more usable to my liking. Like others I have had several Mini's over the years and hopefully I am not stupid enough to sell this one.....
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cal50,
Which flash suppressor is that on your mini and which folding stock, if you please? </div></div>
As snyper said it's a factory Ruger folding stock. The flash hider I believe was a Choate.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=637423
I made some changes to the sight base. I TIG welded the sight "ears" and post to the body of the sight. I also cut off the end of the flash hider itself. I turned the MINI-14 barrel diameter down in my lathe and threaded the end of my MINI barrel. I then slid the sight body over the barrel,indexed and pinned it in place. A standard flash hider or any 1/2-28 threaded accessories can then be attached directly to my threaded barrel.
My rifle was a standard mini put into a factory folding stock. I also put a sling swivel on the factory gas block (like the GB model). The factory GB model has a front sight post with a better style but it's placed back from the muzzle several inches (to attach a bayonet). I put mine closer to the muzzle for a better sight picture / longer sight radius.
Mini's are a true crap shoot for accuracy.This one happens to shoot well so I did a few mods to make it more usable to my liking. Like others I have had several Mini's over the years and hopefully I am not stupid enough to sell this one.....
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