I was able to try my new Mini 14 Target last night. I mounted a Leupold 4.5-14x40 VXIII with varmint reticle on it. The only ammo I was able to find in town readily was the 40 round Wal-mart special Winchester 45gr. USA JHP. Overall, it worked quite well, but something strange did happen.
I set-up a target at the 50yd. marker, and fired 3 shots. They were all touching, but 6 inches low and 4 to the left. I adjusted the scope, and fired 3 more rounds. All three were touching again, about 1/2 inch above center, and slightly to the left. I then moved to the 100yd. target.
I shot once, to readjust the scope for 100yds, the first shot being 3" high and 1" right. The second shot after adjusting was 2" high and 1/8" to the right. I adjusted the scope again, and fired my first 3 shot group. .806" and approx 1" left of the point of impact I wanted (1" high).
I adjusted the scope 1/2" right, and shot again. 1/4" right and .466" group. The barrel was holding a lot more heat than my swift does, with my usual time between groups for the barrel to cool. I waited about 4 minutes, and shot a 3rd group. The barrel was still warmer than I like, you could hold your hand on it, but it was uncomfortable after 20 seconds or so.
The third group went 1/2" left and .806". I then thought I would play with the balancer, turning it 1/2 turn away from the muzzle. To this point it was as shipped flush with the muzzle. This was when something strange happened.
The fourth group went .776", but the point of impact moved up 4" and 1 1/4" to the right!!! I shot another group and same thing, 4" high, and 1 1/4" right! (.406" group though).
I then adjusted the balancer another 1/2 turn away from the muzzle, and it shot another .776" group, again 3" high and 1 1/2" right.
I moved the balancer back to the original position, and shot 2 more 3 shot groups. .466", 3 1/2" high and 2 1/4" right, and .806" 2" high and 1 1/2" right. At this point I was running out of light, and the barrel was much too hot. I know I should have given it more time to cool off, but light was fading, and I was curious to see if the point of impact would change back to where it was before I adjusted the balancer. Average 3 shot group was .66" for 8 3 shot groups, with the cheap white box Winchester ammo.
Is it normal for the barrel on this type of gun to heat faster than others, and take much longer to cool? Any ideas on why the point of impact moved suddenly, and did not move back? Overall, I am pleased with the outcome, and will try it again once I find some different ammo. Being in Canada, which puts an AR out of the question, I was hesitant to buy the Mini 14 based on what I have read.
I have pics of the groups, but can I load them directly from my computer?
I set-up a target at the 50yd. marker, and fired 3 shots. They were all touching, but 6 inches low and 4 to the left. I adjusted the scope, and fired 3 more rounds. All three were touching again, about 1/2 inch above center, and slightly to the left. I then moved to the 100yd. target.
I shot once, to readjust the scope for 100yds, the first shot being 3" high and 1" right. The second shot after adjusting was 2" high and 1/8" to the right. I adjusted the scope again, and fired my first 3 shot group. .806" and approx 1" left of the point of impact I wanted (1" high).
I adjusted the scope 1/2" right, and shot again. 1/4" right and .466" group. The barrel was holding a lot more heat than my swift does, with my usual time between groups for the barrel to cool. I waited about 4 minutes, and shot a 3rd group. The barrel was still warmer than I like, you could hold your hand on it, but it was uncomfortable after 20 seconds or so.
The third group went 1/2" left and .806". I then thought I would play with the balancer, turning it 1/2 turn away from the muzzle. To this point it was as shipped flush with the muzzle. This was when something strange happened.
The fourth group went .776", but the point of impact moved up 4" and 1 1/4" to the right!!! I shot another group and same thing, 4" high, and 1 1/4" right! (.406" group though).
I then adjusted the balancer another 1/2 turn away from the muzzle, and it shot another .776" group, again 3" high and 1 1/2" right.
I moved the balancer back to the original position, and shot 2 more 3 shot groups. .466", 3 1/2" high and 2 1/4" right, and .806" 2" high and 1 1/2" right. At this point I was running out of light, and the barrel was much too hot. I know I should have given it more time to cool off, but light was fading, and I was curious to see if the point of impact would change back to where it was before I adjusted the balancer. Average 3 shot group was .66" for 8 3 shot groups, with the cheap white box Winchester ammo.
Is it normal for the barrel on this type of gun to heat faster than others, and take much longer to cool? Any ideas on why the point of impact moved suddenly, and did not move back? Overall, I am pleased with the outcome, and will try it again once I find some different ammo. Being in Canada, which puts an AR out of the question, I was hesitant to buy the Mini 14 based on what I have read.
I have pics of the groups, but can I load them directly from my computer?
