Ruger Mini-14

ArizonaCoyote

ArizonaCoyote

New member
I'm thinking about buying a Mini-14 Ranch Rifle for coyote hunting. I don't have enough money to finance an AR, which is why the Mini-14 is my primary choice. My brother owns one, and it seems to be a pretty good gun. The one thing I noticed that was a real turnoff was the accuracy. It was consistent, but couldn't hold pattern tighter than about 6 inches. My thought behind that was the short barrel. Let me know what you guys think of the Mini-14.
 
Some guys hate 'em and some don't - my Mini holds 1.5" groups at 100yds with a 4x scope - and that's plenty good for what I use it for, and for the $350 it cost me, that's about ~1/3rd the price of a nice AR.

And the Mini can be accurized for less than a decent AR will cost (I just sold two used ARs for $2,500 - good for me, bad for them).
 
Very reliable, will eat about any ammo you feed it too. There are little tricks you can do inexpensively to make it shoot better though. Mine with a cold barrel and a 3X9 scope will usually go right where you want it at 100 yds on the first shot. After that the accuracy would go down as the barrel got warmer. I made a home made stabilizer for it and it improved alot. The prices of the new Minis now are kinda high for what you get. I dont think one will ever rival a good Bolt action. Good luck.
 
For as much as mini-14s are currently, you be better off saving your money and when you have enough- building an AR lower receiver (stripped receiver + lower parts kit) and purchasing an AR upper receiver from one of the lower-end internet companies such as Model1sales.com. I wanted to try building one myself and in the end spent a grand total of $650. That was only a year or so ago. Prices will go down again I think.

There is a company in Gilbert called Calvary Arms that sells a lower AR receiver that is polymer-based. Their lower receiver is 1 molded piece that includes the receiver, grip, and stock. $135 when I purchased it.

Plus building your own AR gives you a great sense of pride and accomplishment. They have great tutorials on how to install the lower parts kit in the receiver at ar15.com.

I have owned quite a few mini-14s. They're fun to shoot but not very accurate in comparison to other rifles of the same price range.
 
I've killed more than a few yotes with mine and it's always been just fine. Find the ammo it likes best, hunt the thicker stuff and you'll be just fine until your ready to move up to another rifle.
 
I love my mini-14, I would say go for it, they are extremely reliable and the newer models shoot even better with the heavier barrels, after bedding the stock and lightening the trigger my 580 series shoots great. 1.5-.5" groups at 100yrds.

Just added a Accustut thats not in the pic, it has noticably tightened my groups even more..

For all the info you can handle on the Mini-14 check out PerfectUnion.com
mini.jpg
 
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I'm thinking about buying a Mini-14 Ranch Rifle for coyote hunting.



Either get the heavy-barreled model and a trigger job, or the one like I've got and call them in close. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If you can get one to shoot accurately, they're nice rifles. I've had one for almost 30 years and never had any kind of malfunction (I keep it clean and lubed).
Go to PerfectUnion BBS and you'll get an idea of how the new ones shoot. There's a do-it-yourself trigger job video on this site, it doesn't look all that tough if you build a stoning fixture and don't go overboard.

GunDoc site - videos

Or send the trigger group to GunDoc, he's top-notch and affordable. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 

Being the owner of several ARs and having owned a couple of minis, I have to admit that I still have an affection for them...I guess it may be because I grew up when the old Garand was still the king of battle rifles and the mini mimics it somewhat..

I always had a problem getting good groups out of mine and couldn't justify the expense of getting it 'accurized' before trying the AR platform...
 
I like my mini, it is alot lighter to carry than my ar. I have a barrel stabalizer from clarks that I bought when it first came out, that helped a bunch. I reload and have to shoot 55gr vmax at lower velocity to get the accuracy I want. And it does shoot real well. Like said there are alot of new tricks for the mini.
 
There is something to be said for the Mini, it is the American Khalashnikov. You pull the trigger...it goes bang, whether you tote it in a silk lined case or drag it to the stand from your bumper. On the tough dial....they go to 11.


Chupa
 
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I always had a problem getting good groups out of mine and couldn't justify the expense of getting it 'accurized' before trying the AR platform...



Yeah, that's pretty much where I ended up at myself. I could put $500 into the Mini and hope it ended up shooting well, or buy an upper from D-Tech and be sure.

I still own 2 Mini's though. They're safe queens. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I like mine. With the knowing that it will go bang when I pull the trigger is comforting. To make my 580 series more accurate I smoothed out the trigger, I cleaned up the crown, when ever I clean it and that is not often. I pull a patch through with mothers aluminum polish through a couple of times and that helps smooth the rough bore. I also put buffers front and back. Mounted the scope as low as possible which helps with cheek weld. My hand loads helped out also. When finding the best load I used the OCW method and that took out alot of guess work.
The two handloads that are accurate in mine are 26,5 Benchmark pushing a 40 gr. VMAX. any brass with wolf primers. The other is 21.0 gr. Reloader 7, 55 PSP any brass, wolf primer. Never fired a factory load in the rifle.
ThomasR
 
I've used the mini for a couple years now and it's put down allot of yotes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


dogkillin008-1.jpg



Its been a good rifle, like everyone has said, "pull the trigger and it will go boom", but.......

I've also missed allot of coyotes that would've been DRT if I was to be useing my AR or the good ol' 22-250.

I gave allot of thought to accurizing my mini and came up with saving my money for an AR.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the mini-14, but I think my kill ratio will go up with the AR.

-Vent-
 
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Top secret info??



10-4...roger that. pssst... PM me too, 'cause I'm "in."

You're either in, or you're out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

If you're in, click below for your next assignment> /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ...



/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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PM Sent



Top secret info??



10-4...roger that. pssst... PM me too, 'cause I'm "in."

You're either in, or you're out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

If you're in, click below for your next assignment> /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ...



/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif



Not that it's really anyones business, but apparently two of you are feeling left out..... If you have read Steven's (ArizonaCoyote) recent post, you'd understand he's very enthusiastic about calling predators and even moreso, a FINE young man with a good head on his shoulders. Knowing how tough it is to afford a good rifle with a full time job, let alone still being in high school, I offered to help him build an AR (providing his parents grant permission). I happened to have an extra 20" HBAR kit on order that I would pass on to him at wholesale. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
I think the Mini is worth having just because it is so fun to shoot and so darn reliable with whatever you put in her. I personally see it as a supressive fire or spray and pray type gun with the work I have done trying to help others get them to group. I never could get it tight enough to feel ethical hunting with it but there are many on here who seem to be reporting good results.
 
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