Anyone Tried the New Mini-14?

I picked up the new 580 Ranch Rifle Mini 14 not too long ago. It shoots pretty well, its obviously not as great as a long heavy barrelled rifle. However I was impressed with what it could do, I mean sure its not going to hit a fly at 200 yards but it shot well enough for what it is, a short barrelled, reliable rifle. I put a scout rail on mine and mounted a low power scope to use it for coyotes w/in a 100 yards. It is a good rifle that will fill that roll and will be dependable.
 
Ronin, you were so impressed you can't quote groups sizes for your rifle? No braggin' groups, sub 2MOA or anything? I guess minute of coyote at 100 yards would be around 4" - 6" inches and that ain't cutting it for most of us. I get what you're saying, the gun is short and fairly light, handles good and goes bang every time. But if it isn't any more accurate than a smoothbore bead sighted shotgun slinging Foster slugs at 100 yards, then that's not much of an improvement IMHO.
 
WIth the 580 I owned, it would shoot 2 inch groups all day IF I took about 10 minutes between shots...When I shot it rapid fire it was all over a pie plate at 100 yards...It wasn't terrible but NOTHING like the two AR's I've owned which are both 1 inch guns no matter how rapid I fire them...
 
I have one of the new 580 series minis and like it quite a bit. A year ago I sold my old mini ranch in hopes of finding a little more accurate semi-auto better to my liking. I cannot get used to the ergonomics of an AR-15 (been shooting traditional stocks for over 45 years), even after a long-ago stint with them in the army. A close friend just bought the Keltec SU-16 and I find it way to light and his is prone to jamming with several ammo types and magazine brands. Well, after a year of fruitless looking around and trying other stuff, I ended up with one of the new minis.

I like it much better than my old one. Even though I scoped mine, I have noted the iron sights are MUCH better than the old flip-up ones. I sighted them in before I put my scope on and found them easy to use, easy to adjust, and rugged.

My new mini is more accurate than my old one, holding five shot groups of about 2 1/2 inches at 100 yards with cheap Winchester White Box 45 grain hollow points. I have not tried any other ammo yet. Neither of my minis has ever malfunctioned with any type of magazine I have tried. Right now, with the new mini, I have the factory 5 rounder, a John Mason ten rounder, and two factory 20 rounders.

I would not want this for my only varmint rifle - no way. When I am doing long range varminting or target shooting, I take my Sako 75 .223. But for a generaly beater/farm/truck gun, the mini is working just great for me. My old one took a number of chance encounter coyotes, and I am sure the new one will also.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top