Mini-14 Won't Shoot (Update w/photos 26AUG2010)

KAG

KAG

New member
Ok,

picked up my Ruger mini-14 223 that I took to the gunsmith and had a Shilen 1/9 heavy barrel put on. Adjustable gas block, new spring, recoil buffer pad, and some bolt parts. Total bill just over $700. Spent the afternoon trying to get this thing to group under 5 inches. Just not happening. I was hoping after all the work done to it it would shoot 1.5 at least. Used 7 different loads, 5 were handloads using 50, 52, and 55gr HP and SP. H322 and ram shot powders were used. 2 additional loads were factor 55gr FMJ.

Shot about 200 rounds and cleaned it well several times. Using Burris mounts and rings, 2 different scopes used also.

Thoughts or useful suggestions....??
 
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For what I have into this thing I could have bought a 223 bolt gun and a 243 upper for my DPMS AR. Just frustrating.....
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You may want to send it to Accuracy Systems.They specialize in mini's and AR's.I bought a 17Rem upper from them,and was more than pleased.Sometimes a guy comes to the point where you either need to cut your loses,or hope it might be something simple to get it shooting.Good luck,no matter what you decide.
BTW,looks like you must be a Molly Hatchet fan,by your pic.Good call!
 
I always thought that was the rub with them. I looked at buying one once when I won a gift certificate at a sporting goods store but decided against it when I did a little research on them. Glad I went the AR route. Dave
 
I would think with all that work done and a good barrel it would shoot pretty well... Was the Smith very reputable?
 
Yes I already have a DPMS AR. I rarely use it. After having to have one for years as a soldier, just not that into them. I mainly use my Savage VLP 25-06 for yotes. The mini I have had for a while, love the reliability and wanted to up grade so I could use it for varmints. The smith seems like a good one from what I have heard. I am taking it back to him on Monday. The places that specialize in mini's are back logged 8+ months or I would have sent it there. Cost would have been the same basically.

Think I might be shooting too light a bullet for the 1/9 twist? Thought about getting some 62 and 69gr bullets to see if that made a difference or not. The 50 and 52gr bullets shot the worst.
 
I too owned one, the best I could get out of it consistently and in good conditions, assuming I did my job, was around 3" at 100 yds. From what I gathered in my research, this was to be considered pretty good for this gun. It was an older one however (Circa 1995), and it seems I read somewhere that the newer models typically do a little better than the older models. I traded it in on an AR & never looked back. I will say though, that the Mini-14 was really fun to shoot, and very reliable. I could put anything through it, and I don't ever remember it jamming or causing me any problems. Maybe that's a Ruger trait, as their 10-22s are the same way (the most neglected guns in my safe
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) and they never seem to fail me either. I wish you the best, I understand your frustration after spending all that money on it.
 
A buddy of mine has one, and can't hit a barn with it. It's his first center fire rifle, and won't part with it.


Personally, I'd never buy one for that very reason.
 
Well like I said I shot 50,52, and 55gr bullets out of it already. I just ordered some 40,62,69, and 75gr bullets just to see if any of those grain bullets make it better. I will drop them off with the gun next week to the smith and see what he can do. Maybe bed it and trigger job will help, who knows. If it all doesn't work out I'll just sell it.

I know that base mini-14 rifles do not shoot well, that's why I had it reworked.
 
Originally Posted By: Nikon_Man Are you sure it's not a remington?

I don't know, If it won't shoot with a Shilen barrel I don't know what to tell you. If you cant shoot a remmy....
270win.jpg
 
I really want a mini. Please update this post if you get it worked out or not. I'm apprehensive about picking one up because this seems to be the norm. And everyone I know who has put that much into one says in the end they should have just bought an AR. The only places I've heard claims of Minis shooting MOA are the sights of the companies that customize them
 
I'm not really versed in AR's or Mini 14's. But just a thought...those bullets may well be too light weight for that barrel twist. Might consider trying 68.69 gr and up before you do anything else.
 
Originally Posted By: ozzyOriginally Posted By: Nikon_Man Are you sure it's not a remington?

I don't know, If it won't shoot with a Shilen barrel I don't know what to tell you. If you cant shoot a remmy....
270win.jpg


LMAO.
 
Try some 69 grain Matchkings and 24.5 grains of Varget before you call it a dud. If it won't shoot that load well, then I'd say you have a problem.

This design seems really load recipe sensitive, so you could literally try different loads until Algore cries 'uncle' and still not find one that works--but that doesn't mean there isn't a combination that will shoot well in the rifle; you just have to find it.

I have one of the old ones with the 1:10 twist, and I found that when I dropped the powder charges to more moderate levels, it improved. It was shooting near MOA with 55 grainers and 26.0 grains of W748...
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So I think there's a node in that area too...

With a loose lock up, higher pressures tend to cause inaccuracy. That's one of the main plagues of the Remington 700's--Remington won't lap the bolt lugs at the factory, so in 9 out of 10 (or is it 10 out of 10?
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) 700's, one bolt bears, the other doesn't. Such a rifle will shoot lower pressure rounds, but when you pump up the pressure they start throwing shots.

That is one of my suspicions as to why the Ruger mini doesn't (as a rule) shoot tight; the bolt lock isn't as precise as it should be. But when you do make it tight, you lose reliability (the mini is more reliable than the AR when it gets dirty for this reason).

Make sure your scope is a good one. You don't mention what kind of scope you have on it. That slamming bolt can move the point of aim on a mediocre scope (shifting loose lenses, moving the erector, etc.)...

Dan

 
I better keep mine it will shoot 1 inch at 100 pretty easy. it has a douglas barrel on it. I love this gun and it makes me feel good when the AR guys say that a mini cant shoot minute of barn from inside the barn. Good luck and try some bullets with more weight, if you had that much work done it either was not done right or there's something little causing the problem
Best of luck
Cracker
 


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