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Is it possible to make a Mini 14 accurate?
- Thread starter damoncali
- Start date
With your average, stock, rack-grade mini-14...NO!
There are some highly upgraded and worked over (and damned costly) minis that can get you into the ballpark, including the "Ultramatch" conversions offered by Accuracy Systems and other like companies. However, be cautious of such conversions because they are almost always based on 3-round groups...not 5-round. See here:
Ruger Mini 14 30 Rifles Barrel Conversions New Rifle Packages Accuracy Systems
I have heard tale, but never actually personally handled or seen one that would do it, that the newer, "Target" version minis will hover around MOA with match ammo suitable for their 1:9 twist barrels...YMMV! That's still not all that impressive unless you are comparing the results to the factory "stock" rifles which are 3+ MOA rifles by in large.
If you want an accurate, reliable, sub-MOA capable semi-auto...start with an AR-platform rifle and work your way up from there, skipping the Minis entirely.
There are some highly upgraded and worked over (and damned costly) minis that can get you into the ballpark, including the "Ultramatch" conversions offered by Accuracy Systems and other like companies. However, be cautious of such conversions because they are almost always based on 3-round groups...not 5-round. See here:
Ruger Mini 14 30 Rifles Barrel Conversions New Rifle Packages Accuracy Systems
I have heard tale, but never actually personally handled or seen one that would do it, that the newer, "Target" version minis will hover around MOA with match ammo suitable for their 1:9 twist barrels...YMMV! That's still not all that impressive unless you are comparing the results to the factory "stock" rifles which are 3+ MOA rifles by in large.
If you want an accurate, reliable, sub-MOA capable semi-auto...start with an AR-platform rifle and work your way up from there, skipping the Minis entirely.
Short answer is no. Doesn't stop people from trying, but it's a money pit.
Come to think of it, nothing I've owned that said Ruger on it has been what I'd call accurate.
Come to think of it, nothing I've owned that said Ruger on it has been what I'd call accurate.
I have one of those accurized mini's that ORD talks about and it shoots well. If I consider just the additional cost it was not too bad however when you add in the cost of the rifle it does start to climb.
It shoots well and I like it. I have found a couple of rounds it likes but I am still looking. A given 3 rnd group is 3/4 moa however its at moa for a given 5 rnd group.
I had an AR that I liked but sold it because, here in CA, anything that looks like an 'assault weapon' is an invitation to spend some quality conversation time with the local PD/forest service/game warden/crossing guard. So I started chasing the pipe dream of getting a mini to be accurate.
ORD and S4F are correct about the AR platform. If I was starting over, knowing what I know now, I think I would just start on the AR platform unless you wanted a fun project. It appears that there is a growing glut of AR options out there as demand drops so you might get a great deal.
It shoots well and I like it. I have found a couple of rounds it likes but I am still looking. A given 3 rnd group is 3/4 moa however its at moa for a given 5 rnd group.
I had an AR that I liked but sold it because, here in CA, anything that looks like an 'assault weapon' is an invitation to spend some quality conversation time with the local PD/forest service/game warden/crossing guard. So I started chasing the pipe dream of getting a mini to be accurate.
ORD and S4F are correct about the AR platform. If I was starting over, knowing what I know now, I think I would just start on the AR platform unless you wanted a fun project. It appears that there is a growing glut of AR options out there as demand drops so you might get a great deal.
While I wholeheartedly agree that those things are relatively inexpensive (just time and materials more or less with little in the way of parts costs), that won't get you anywhere near into the accuracy range with a Mini that the OP is searching for...even on a great day with ammo tailored specifically for the gun...much less on an average day, with an average shooter and commercial ammo.
Had one and tried my best but I could not get it where I wanted it at 1.5 MOA> Its a great concept but poorly executed. They are also expensive for what you are getting.
The A-Team never hit squat with theirs...I had five of them back in the late 80's and couldn't hit anything with mine either. Tried contacting Stephen J. Cannell a few times to see if he could hook those guys up with some AR's so they could make actual hits on the bad guys. Think he liked the idea of making the mini full auto with a shot of WD40 better than making hits though.
On a serious note, I'd stick with the AR for hitting targets.
On a serious note, I'd stick with the AR for hitting targets.
Given the bills up for a vote in CA this week to make any semi auto an assault weapon, the mini might lose its 1994 non AW status
I've got an older stainless ranch model with a bedded stock and a pin on muzzle brake. Shoots 1.5 moa or less with Winchester 45gr. Varmint rounds from Walmart. Taken many a fox and coyote with it out to 300 yards. I guess I got lucky with mine! It does throw the brass about 30 yards though.
The real answer here is "yes", and I can tell you how; Step one, remove the sling swivels. Step two, replace them on an accurate rifle. Step three, throw away everything that was above the sling swivels you removed. Problem solved.
I always loved this picture.
Never saw that before - That's funny!!
Had one in the 80's. Shot 3" at 50 yds and 12" at 100 yards (10 shot groups - eh, I mean patterns). Bought a Shilen barrel for it but sold it and the barrel before I got it installed. Switched to AR's and never looked back.
I used to own one of those, long gone now.
Getting a mini-14 to shoot 1" groups at 100 yards is simple, same technique as an AK-47.
Stand 100 yards from target.
Place rifle at port arms.
Double time forward 75 yards,
Drop to prone and shoot a 3 shot group.
Works nearly every time.
Getting a mini-14 to shoot 1" groups at 100 yards is simple, same technique as an AK-47.
Stand 100 yards from target.
Place rifle at port arms.
Double time forward 75 yards,
Drop to prone and shoot a 3 shot group.
Works nearly every time.
Thinking of picking up a couple of stripped lowers in case the laws pass. They'll just be other 'registered assault weapons'.
I bought one back around 2006. From a sandbag at 100 yards I couldn't hit a quart oil bottle everytime. They are excessivly heavy for what they are and mine jammed like crazy with several different types of ammo.
Sold it, bought a really low end AR that functioned perfectly, but had accuracy issues. Even with the accuracy problems, the AR still out-shot the Mini 14...
Take the money your thinking about spending accurizing your mini, and buy a quality AR. You'll be pleased with the results.
Sold it, bought a really low end AR that functioned perfectly, but had accuracy issues. Even with the accuracy problems, the AR still out-shot the Mini 14...
Take the money your thinking about spending accurizing your mini, and buy a quality AR. You'll be pleased with the results.
this would be a project for chad Dixon ! if he has time I think he could figure out and tool up for a run of the fix.i love my mini however 1.5" is the best I can do and after 200 +or_ it loosens up. for some reason I can't email chad so if someone would forward this to him !must be a couple hundred thou. of these that need help .
My Dad used to shoot in three gun matches.
At the time, a 16" AR would not make power factor, so he bought a mini-30.
He sent it off to a company in Texas that specialized in accurizing the mini 14.
I cost him a good chunk of money, he had a medium contour barrel screwed on and some other accurizing work done. It shoots pretty well.
The receiver was so out of square, when you look through the scope, the front sight is offset significantly.
Had auto ordnance been making the .30 carbine back then, it would have been a far better choice.
The mini 14/30 is a POS, which is a shame. It handles and points very well.
Bill Ruger was never interested in quality.
At the time, a 16" AR would not make power factor, so he bought a mini-30.
He sent it off to a company in Texas that specialized in accurizing the mini 14.
I cost him a good chunk of money, he had a medium contour barrel screwed on and some other accurizing work done. It shoots pretty well.
The receiver was so out of square, when you look through the scope, the front sight is offset significantly.
Had auto ordnance been making the .30 carbine back then, it would have been a far better choice.
The mini 14/30 is a POS, which is a shame. It handles and points very well.
Bill Ruger was never interested in quality.
I own a .243Win Ruger American Rifle that consistently shoots 5-shot, sub-MOA groups with the right ammo, but you're correct about the Mini-14.
Not mine but I have one set up the same way, with a nice trigger job and recoil buffer. Very sweet shooter, never FTF or FTE
Groups tighted up around 65% (did all upgrades at once so I can't say what helped the most) I have a spotting scope inbound, hope
to get some pics of groups soon.
Groups tighted up around 65% (did all upgrades at once so I can't say what helped the most) I have a spotting scope inbound, hope
to get some pics of groups soon.
Thank you
,I have loads of 223 ammo, and here I can not sell them or dispose them that easily.
So, I am playing with the last Mini 14 I have, to shoot the ammo, and then the sell the rifle.
In order to make it little more bearable, I am trying different snake oils and prayers.
Cheers,
ROT
