Ruger mini 14?

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I posted a question about the Ruger mini 14 on the predator hunting forum. So far, the feedback is not favorable about this rifle. Someone suggested posting on this part of the forum to get more feedback. I like the looks of the rifle, but have never used one. I welcome all comments.
Thanks!
 
I really like the mini 14, but I have not found them to be near as accurate as an AR. It is a great truck gun or ranch gun and is a lot of fun and it feels great, but they seem to be hit or miss on the accuracy side. The one I have is okay for what it is. I think it would be an amazing buy if they were a little cheaper.

IMO, if you find one that is a shooter, use it and it will treat you well.
 
I think I read on one of these types of forums that the safest place to stand is right in front of one. I have one, and I tend to agree.
 
If you can test fire it before you buy it and it's a shooter by all means buy it. It would be the exception to the rule.

Very very few I've seen will shoot under 1 1/2" at 100 yards, under ideal range conditions.

The average seems to be 2 to 4 inches. That's not real good for a rifle that costs so much.

If you want to spray lead downrange, make fire come out the barrel or start fires, then it is ok.

There are a few PM members that like this rifle, but most wouldn't buy one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
For the money most don't like them. You can get the same accuracy from an SKS or AK clone for a whole lot less. For just a little more you have a quality AR 15.

They'd be OK for a spray and pray truck/ranch gun if they cost half as much.

If you just really like the looks they CAN be turned into a reasonable rifle, but you'll probably have as much money into it as you would for a custom AR by the time you're done (and it won't be a great shooter no matter how much you spend).
 
I tried a Mini 14 years ago. It was a very poor shooter. I tried adding a brake, playing around with the gas block screws, ammo, shooters, scopes, etc. It was still a poor shooter. It's now long gone. Never again. MI VHNTR
 
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I think I read on one of these types of forums that the safest place to stand is right in front of one. I have one, and I tend to agree.


Quite possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard said about the mini. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that there's a new, much more accurate Mini that came out this year. Is this true? I've never owned one, either, but have always been interested.
 
Yes, it is called target or something similar. Ugly as sin and has had mixed reviews. Some reports of it being great and most reports that it is no better. It also is something like $800. You can buy a nice AR for less than that.

Jack
 
I guess I'll stick up for the Mini-14. You have to understand what it is and isn't for.

Is the Mini-14 an precision weapon like the AR platform capable of MOA accuracy: NO (well, yes, but you have to spend a lot of $$ to get it that way).

Is the Mini-14 a great ranch/truck gun that you can abuse and it will keep on shooting: YES.

I bought one specifically to keep in my pickup when I was living in Montana. I saw a lot of yotes running away when I was driving from stand to stand. It was a lot harder to manuever my 24" barrel 22-250 out the window than the 18" barrel Mini-14. The 20 round magazine I bought ensured me a lot of follow-up shots.
 
I like my mini, but much more back with Wolf Ammo was cheaper. I sprayed it at a coyote once but missed. whoops! Mini 14 is a hoot to shoot but an accurate bolt action is much more suitable for coyote hunting.
 
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Quote:
I think I read on one of these types of forums that the safest place to stand is right in front of one. I have one, and I tend to agree.


Quite possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard said about the mini. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif



ROFLMAO!

To put things in perspective, I've had five different mini 14s I think. One of them actually shot "ok". About 1 1/2 moa if I remember right. It was one of the first series of mini. Wood ventilated handguard. I kick myself in the butt for selling it. The other 4 where the usual mini disappointments for use as a hunting rifle and quickly went down the road. It's too bad because with all the accessories available you can really do some cool stuff with them.

In contrast I have a half dozen AR-15s and a AR-10 and a few extra complete uppers. I haven't considered once getting rid of any of the ARs.

To those that have an accurate mini, hang on to it. It is a collector piece. If you want to sell it, contact me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
The new target mini is a sham, they put a trashy looking stock, a heavy "junk" barrel with an adjustable tuner on it and charge 335 buks more for it, a good one will shoot 1 MOA, a bull barrel that won't shoot 1 MOA without an adjustable "soup can" on it is a shame.
I have 2 mini's, both rebarreled with lothar walther match barrels that will beat 1 MOA by alot, but a good barrel is 500 bucks installed.
RR
 
I am new here, but I also own a Mini 14. I like it for what it is, but hate it for what it isnt. A Rifle in the $ 600 range should be able to group. Especially built by Ruger. A thicker barrel would help alot. Its a shame they put a rifle that shoots soo poorly out there. I thought of sending mine in to get re-worked, but for the same Money you can get 2 out of the box savage's that will shoot 1/2 inch... Thus Mine is still the same. Scope, Muzzel brake, and as inaccurate as ever. But here in Cali, its the closest thing we can get to a " fun Rifle" JMHO..
 
Welcome to the board (I am not going to try to spell that) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Actually you can have an AR in CA if you get one with a fixed magazine. Not a big deal really because it can still hold 10 rounds.

Jack
 
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