Anyone Tried the New Mini-14?

triggerpress

triggerpress

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There was an article in the last Varmint Hunter magazine in which the writer reported far better accuracy than usually found on these rifles. He reported Ruger has made some serious efforts to redesign it and improve accuracy. Has anyone here tried the new (redesigned)Ruger Mini-14 or seen any other product tests of it? I'm curious if they really have made a significant accuracy improvement or if that was just a one-of-a-kind rifle. If they have improved things this rifle might finally have some potential as a varmint rig.

triggerpress
 
I don't believe they have any shipped any yet. I had a conversation with a friend of mine at Hornady about this rifle and my question was why Ruger waited so long to attempt to improve the accuracy performance of this rifle.

His reply was nobody at Ruger gave a sh!!.

If you look at BATF unit production numbers and excise tax
payments Ruger's long gun numbers are way down.

Bill Sr is gone now and Bill Jr. has retired and a new CEO
is at Ruger. They may now realize they have a QUALITY of performance issue with the American gun buyer.

They last several years (since 2001) of log gun numbers don't lie.
 
Sadly, even if the new Mini 14 is better it will take Ruger a long time to get past the stigma associated with the performance of many of the old Mini 14 rifles. Also what remains to be seen is how big the improvement is. I mean if they ship rifles that consistently group 2.5” at 100 yards that would be a big improvement but still short of what many ARs will do out of the box. To really turn heads their rifle is going to need to be super accurate and priced right.
 
My local gun shop owner has several of the "580 Series" mini-14's on his shelf. He said he tried one out just to see if there was any noticable change and said he was pleasently surprised. He said for a semiauto it was acceptable as far as 200 yard accuracy goes. He stated it was a night and day difference in the new Rugers and the previous models. I have a new a-bolt on order(243 wssm) or I would buy one for myself based on his recommendation.
 
The article I referenced was in the July 2006 issue of Varmint Hunter and L.P. BREZNY the author. He reviewed the Ranch Rifle version in .223. It had a 1-9 twist and with heavier bullets he recorded numerous 3 shot groups under 1 MOA. Personally, I have no use for 3 shot groups (unless you fire 5 of them) but BREZNY seems to have done it often enough with enough different kinds of ammo to eliminate the luck factor. I'd still like to hear from or about other tests that have focused on accuracy.

triggerpress
 
I bought the "new/improved" Ranch Rifle approximately 2 weeks ago...It went down the road yesterday...I debated sending it in to a custom shop for a make over, but opted to cut my losses and get out...If you shot the rifle slowly, it was capable of small groups, but what's the point of that with a semi-auto...Seemed the first two shots were always OK then, all over the board...I traded the Mini, a Remington .204 SPS, a Browning Micro Medallion .223 and got a Sako 75 stainless 22-250 and a new DPMS upper for my AR...I am very happy with my "deal" so far...I will say the new "Target" model Mini does look intriquing, but I don't think I will go there.
 
I also wanted to mention that I think everyone is confusing two different models of these rifles...Guns and Ammo did their December story on the new "Target" Mini, to my knowledge these are not yet available...The new 580 series Mini is what is considered the "New/Improved" Mini has been out for a while...I had the "New/Improved" Mini...
 
I absolutely agree, 3 shot groups are meaningless. Just not a large enough sample to be statistically accurate. A lucky 3 shots usually goes to at least twice that for a 5 shot group.

Jack
 
3-shot groups don't mean anything to me except that if you shoot more the groups get bigger. Also to me it means the only way to show small groups is with 3-shots. Anything after that just opens up. Real tests for a heavy barrel is 3, 10-shot groups for average. 5, 5-shot groups for a sporter weight barrel with the barrel getting no hotter than warm to the touch.
 
I have to agree, a 3 shot group is meaningless. Especially if you pick the best one. Great for bragging but meaningless in the real world.

What matters is your worst 5 or 10 shot group. That is what will enable you to hit your target.

Jack
 
I usually don't have to shoot more then once maybe twice (three is the most that I have had to shoot), much less 5 times when coyote hunting. I usually shoot 3 shot groups...and will look harder at the first shot then the other 2...that is the bullet that is going to matter the most to me, and I want to know where that one is going to hit. I will usually shoot 2 three shot groups...putting enough time inbetween to let the barrel cool completly. I can see using 5 shot groups if you are going to be shooting competition or prairie dogs, you are going to be shooting high volume and need to know where your gun will shoot with a heated barrel. But, under hunting conditions,I see no need for more then 3 shots sighting in. I do agree that you don't need to depend on your best group, but to look at your worst group and try and fix that one. I do like the fact that most magazines will put both the smallest and biggest groups in there for you to look at. Some don't, but you can usually tell that they have a hidden agenda, and are just trying to sell a gun.
 
Quote:
...that they have a hidden agenda, and are just trying to sell a gun.



Any magazine recommending a mini-14 is only trying to sell a gun. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Mr. T from the A-Team has a lot of experience with Mini-14's. His only comment heard was, "I pity the fool..." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Quote:
I also wanted to mention that I think everyone is confusing two different models of these rifles...Guns and Ammo did their December story on the new "Target" Mini, to my knowledge these are not yet available...The new 580 series Mini is what is considered the "New/Improved" Mini has been out for a while...I had the "New/Improved" Mini...

I am a firearms dealer in NV and had a customer inquire about the target model just a couple days ago. I called Davidsons and was told they are available right now, but they are "allocated" meaning that "I" couldn't get one yet but........if I could wait a week they would get on to me. Don't think the customer was serious cause when I told him that he changed his mind.
 
I personally really enjoy the mini-14. I had extensive experience with it because my uncle always had one with him. We never really shot groups with it but at three hundered yards I could consistantly hit a steel coyote target with iron sights. I figured that was good enough. I will probrably look into the new "580" series, knowing that if it can be a 2moa rifle I will be happy. I have other very accurate rifles but a mini makes a great coyote rifle and truck gun. Just my 2 cents.
bullpup
 
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