Anyone Shoot a mini-14 for coyotes, bobcats, etc.

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dannyw

New member
I really want to buy a semi-auto rifle for hunting critters but dont really wanna pony up 800 for a AR-15, Just wondering if any one uses them,, OR do you think I should just save up and buy a AR, Any insight on either one of these would be very appreciated, The reason Im asking I can get a mini 14 fired one box of shells through it and is selling it for 400
 
The mini-14 is not know for being very accurate. The factory standard, as told to me by Ruger tech person, is 2 inch groups at 50 yards, which is 4 at 100, unnaceptable by most peoples standards. The good thing about the Mini is it will ALWAYS shoot. No matter what kind of trash or junk, dirt, grime, carbon buildup, whatever, it will fire 99% of the time. 400.00 is certainly a deal for a almost new mini-14 but Id either save my money for an AR or check out Kel-Tec SU-16, its a 223 semi auto that uses AR mags and shoots a little better than the Mini. Might want to look around and read about it though because some of the rifles have not been very reliable and needed some tweaking to get to work right, however, some have been very good from what Ive read. Ive owned both the Mini and the SU in the past.... just ordered an AR today. Olympic has the K16 for 716 suggested retail and you can generally find them for a few bucks cheaper. Not a bad price for a heavy barrel AR.
 
i have a mini 14 & love it to death. i shoot at both yotes & jacks. i really enjoy it, however i wish i would have done it right to beggin with! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif a REAL MAN, will step up to the plate & do the right thing. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif I WISH I WOULD HAVE PONYED UP THE BIG $ THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE SAVED ME ALOT MORE $ IN THE LONG RUN. i did it right with the FX3 & other rifles. i have learned my lesson. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif $ = quality in most cases. my friend has the AR15 & i am trying my best to have him leave it to me in his will! as soon as he agrees to it i shall shoot him in the back with my mini 14. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif the only problem is i will have a hard time explaining why there are multiple gun shots(mini 14 accuracy) to the fish n gam & the troopers! hunting accident? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
i will try to post some pictures with the new stock! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
save up your money and buy something that is a lot more accurate. i sold the mini 14 i had, disgusted with it's inability to group ANY ammo decently.
 
I lose count of the dogs that have fallen to my mini.
Some with very fast second shots. Don't be afraid. Get one.
 
dannyw, two of my hunting partners have mini 14's. based on how well they hit running jackrabbits, I would say go get the mini. Most of our shots are from 100 - 200 yds, and those 2 can slaughter them. I have been hearing for years that the minis accuracy is suspect, but, you can not prove it by theirs. On second thought, they could be pretty crappy shots, but the poor accuracy of their minis may be compensating for it, allowing what should have been a one foot miss turn into a hit....
 
Scattergun... run a search here on PM and you'll find a lot of comments and experiences.
 
Quote:
On second thought, they could be pretty crappy shots, but the poor accuracy of their minis may be compensating for it, allowing what should have been a one foot miss turn into a hit....



That would probably be the case for me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Yeah i would defenantly pony up the cash for the AR15 Dtech is the man to see for the AR send him a private message.
 
here's my mini before i preformed cosmetic surgery & implanted a pistol grip folding stock. dat dare sur be pertty! as for BLACKRIFLE, you might want to have your buddy's try and shoot something with another gun, to see if they're that good or just plain lucky. just my .02 cents. as for the picture you will notice the many fingers raised, those are confirmed kills with one shot! accuracy baby! one can only wonder what i could do with something that is slightly more accurate?
Jakewithbunnie.jpg
 
I bought one (Ranch Rifle)with the same thoughts in mind. When I pushed the safety off, it made so much noise, I sold it the next week. The accuracy was really as bad, as the others reported, and I also was told at the time that the reciever slams so hard, it is hard on the scopes. I have no way of verifying that because I shed it so soon.
I'm really happy with my used Bushy that someone else took the big hit on. If you like to trade guns, get it. If not,..

wait and pony up.

Pack
 
There is one in my gun safe that is a buddy's. Been there on loan for about 4 years and he hasn't asked for it back. I have tried to make it work but it keeps stovepiping the spent rounds so bad that I would be better off hunting with a muzzleloader. I would give it back but he doesn't care. Go with an AR.
 
One of my budy's impulsively bought a mini once. He held about a 5" group at 100yds and I held about 4". Not at all what I would suggest for a calling rifle. If you're making coyote drives or running them with hounds, then the old spray and pray would be a good perchase. It's hard to fire the rounds off quik with a bolt action.
 
I have one and love it to death. It's a stainless model with a side mounted scope and military sights on it, and it can definitely shoot. What makes it a little more special than some of the others out there is that it is an Indiana State Police Commemerative(spelling?) Model. So far, it's claimed six deer, a couple coyotes, and a bobcat. My longest shot so far has been at 173 yards, and was a one-shot-kill on my 2nd deer. I use 55gr psp bullets and they get the job done. I do reccomend it, but if you want a guaranteed shooter I'd wait to buck up the cash for an AR. Or, you can wait for Ruger to finish up their new version of the Mini that should, supposedly, shoot w/ the best of them. $400 sounds like a deal to me and I'd take it. Good luck in your choice.
 


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