Mini 14 vs AR-15

GrizleyHunter

GrizleyHunter

New member
I see a lot of post about the AR platform but dont hear alot about the Mini 14 Ruger.
Ruger is now making a new Mini 14 is that correct???
Also for a Auto loader they only weigh 6-3/4 lbs.
I do not have a AR and the Ruger cought my eye,what do you think.
 
The Mini MAY be as reliable. That's their strongest point.

Aside from that, ESPECIALLY in the accuracy department, they don't hold a candle to the AR. Not even close.

There's lots already posted on the Mini.
 
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carl

Exceeding a reasonable screen width is a no-no.

Jack
 
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Nope. My AR's shoot circles around my mini 14. Oh wait; /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif I have that backwards. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
My mini 14 shoots 6-8" groups @ 100 yds w/factory sights. My AR's shoot about 1".
 
I have owned both I will just share my experiences with you. My Mini with a scope shot terrible. I struggled with many different types of ammo and was lucky to see 4" groups @ 100 yards. Some were worse. I have heard of people that get much better, but mine would not. If mini's are indeed acurate to any degree, then I had a lemon. I eventually traded it for a Rem 700 in .22-250 that is still my favorite even since. I think the mini has its place as a quick shooting off-hand brush gun, but even then your probably better off with a shotgun at that point. I think a mini is better off without a scope. Just my opinion. I was put through the ringer once on this forum for putting down the mini but I stand by it based on my experience. My Varminter on the other hand, Wow! It's a shooter. Granted it is more of a rifle with it's 24" barrel, where as the mini is more of a carbine, very short. Both my AR and the mini cycle very well and are quite reliable. I suppose they both have their place but the AR is superior in every way.
 
Fortunately I never wasted the money buying a mini 14. I've yet to see one shoot better than 3 moa. Much better choices out there. My AR will hold 3/4 moa all day long.
 
Yesterday I shot @100 yards, 3 shots = 1 hole. No major modification were done to the rifle. A little trigger work and some other little checks that didn't cost a dime to do. This was with 40 gr. ballistic tips. Bring it on AR's! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
One thing about the Mini is.. its tough.. Dirt grime, oil dont matter... it always shoots.. on the other hand it doesent always shoot where youre aiming... But Its tough.. I read alot of probs with ejection troubles and other stuff that end up posted here on AR's.. you seldom find probs with a Mini other than Accuracy. If you have to run, and you only have time to grab one rifle, and then keep moving.. take a Mini.. It keeps on ticking.. I'm keepin mine ! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
you are trying to compare a carbine meant to replace pistols/shotguns and be used as a close range prison guard gun to a rifle built as a combat weapon that turned out to be very accurate.
You might as well compare Obama to Bush! LOL
Carl
 
I thought the Mini-14 was invented as a rancher's rifle. You know, banging around in the back of a pickup. I understand it works great as a pry bar during fence installation or if your pickup gets stuck.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you want something that shoots, get an AR. That's assuming, of course, that you can find one.
 
Granted I can't hit a ground squirrel at 100 yards with 5 shots with my Mini-14, I still keep it around. It's my home security weapon due to its reliablity and firepower. I think it has its place in my arsenal.
 
Bofire... which seems to be more picky on ammo ? Which needs more attention to how you clean it ? This conversation about Mini vs AR is always out there... Which rifle would you stake your life on ? How about... you find a stockpile of Wolf Ammo... its all you have to shoot.. But wait! It may damage your firing pin or your ejector. Which would you choose ? A Mini fires everything with no complaints.. it just spits brass into the next county, and steel cases too. Keep your AR for Cream puff events. Take the Mini to a real fight. Of course thats just my opinion.. lol
 
I tried a Mini years ago and I kept it less than one month. It was, and still is, THE most inaccurate rifle that I've ever seen, bar none. The good thing is, it led me to buy a new Colt AR-15 before the first AWB went into effect in 1994. That rifle has killed its share of predators and pests over the years. If weight is a consideration, I built a lightweight AR-15 just for predator hunting and it gives up nothing to the Mini platform.

A couple of years back, I had a couple of doubting friends that went ahead and bought a Mini 14 and a Mini 30 expecting accuracy from the rifles. They both dumped theirs not long after purchasing them also. The reason? Shotgun like accuracy at best. Both of them now use ARs for their semi-auto predator rifles. Skip the Mini and get a rifle that shoots well right from the start. MI VHNTR
 
i call shinanagins on this one. ruger has yet to make a weapon capable of that.
Quote:
Yesterday I shot @100 yards, 3 shots = 1 hole. No major modification were done to the rifle. A little trigger work and some other little checks that didn't cost a dime to do. This was with 40 gr. ballistic tips. Bring it on AR's! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 
Bought a mini in 1995 put a 6.5x20 leupold on it and tried to shoot groups(more like patterns). Sent it off for a accurizing job with a new heavy barrel, bed and trigger job. Came back and it shot much better with some groups under an 1" but it was never consistant. First shot always was a flier and the rest would group 1"-2". One group was 5/8" but couldn't ever duplicate it. Spent over $1200 on it and sold it for $800 to buy an AR which will consistantly shoot under 1" most of the time better. I don't doubt that someone has tweeked the mini to shoot better these days but haven't heard much buzz about them from any prominent match shooters like the AR platform. RR
 
Quote:
i call shinanagins on this one. ruger has yet to make a weapon capable of that.
Quote:
Yesterday I shot @100 yards, 3 shots = 1 hole. No major modification were done to the rifle. A little trigger work and some other little checks that didn't cost a dime to do. This was with 40 gr. ballistic tips. Bring it on AR's! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif





Come to Nebraska and I will show you. I am not going to say it will do that every time. Under an inch group is normal. I have a Ruger .220 swift that I shot .334 inch groups. The mini that I am refering to is a new target model. Once tuned, it shoots great. I have had other mini's that I was able to get consistant 1 1/4 inch groups with my reloads. Besides, mine isn't near as ugly as an AR. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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