who uses mini 14 for calling rifles?

M

mkeller72

New member
Just curious how many use them and how accurate they are out to 100-150 yards. A ar platform rifle just doesnt feel good to me but the mini 14 does. I saw a used one at my local gunshop and was giving it a once over, have never shot one and no nothing about them. Any info would be appreciated.
 
I hear Ruger has redesigned the standard Mini for 08. (not the Target model) They are now putting a slightly heavier barrel on. Not sure what else. All in an effort to remedy some of the accuracy complaints about this rifle. Looks like they might have finally listened. Figures they would come out with an improved model a few months after I buy a new one. If you get one make sure it is one of the improved 08 versions.

Good hunting
 

My Mini-14 was about a 4"-6" rifle, at 100 yards, with factory
ammo. My hand loads shrunk that to about half. A 3" rifle,
at 100 yards, is not my definition of a good coyote rifle.
My AR-15s on the other hand are less than 1/2" at 100 yards
for the heavy barreled varminter, and right at 1", or just a
touch under, for my stubby carbine variant. Me personally,
I traded my Mini-14 as part of the price for a new AR-15.
I got use to the feel of it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Squeeze
 
My BIL has one he'd let go of for a sweet deal. They are not known for their accuracy but nobody ever bitxhes about their reliability. His is a 3" gun, maybe better with handloads.
 
I remember reading an article in Shooter magazine a few months back about the newely improved Mini 14. With factory ammo the author was able to achieve 1 1/2 inch groups with a couple of different weights and brands. If I remember correctly most groups were around 2 to 2 1/2 inches. These were all five shot groups. I believe the new Mini 14 can be distingueshed from old ones by a "580" designation in front of the serial number. I'll see if I can find the article and check for sure. Me, I like the mini, you just have to realize that it's not going to be a tackdriver.
BP
 
Spend your bucks on something else if your serious about killing coyotes. Course if your going to be hunting in the same area's I do go for it.
 
Curt is correct. (as usual!!) Get a new one if you like them. For 100-150 yards you should do fine. The Mini is not an AR in the accuracy department.
I think Curt, who has had a few minis I think and I know he knows all about AR's and has at least one, is intending to do some work on his mini. I have been hearing better reports about the new minis.
Dont listen to all the guys bashing minis and pumping AR's, if you dont like AR's you dont, thats the end of it.
Carl
 
Search the web for Mini 14 and accuracy. There is a company out there that can hotrod any mini for great accuracy, but it is somewhat pricey. There is also a lot of 'DIY' info out there that can help you to increase accuracy without resorting to shipping it off somewhere. I guess it just depends on how much you like to tinker with things! I DO know what you mean about the AR though. I really like 'em, but just can't get comforable enough with one to want to hunt with it!
 
Those of us who have owned (basically paid with our hard earned cash) a Mini14 from the old days have every reason to bash them. That sort of accuracy was unacceptable then as it is now.
Any $80 SKS will out shoot a Mini all day everyday with more bullets, more accuracy and just as reliable.
 
I have an older mini 14 that was a 3" gun until I found the federal american eagle ammo with 50gr jhp. It will cloverleaf 3 rounds at a 100yds. Over 3 rounds and it opens back up to 3". So as long as I don't have to shoot more than 3 times to kill a yote, I'm good to go.
Check out accuracy systems.com for upgrades.
 
I really like those Mini 14 Rugers. They look cool and are 100% reliable. Feel good to the shoulder too.

But sadly yes. You can spend $1000 on a Mini and try to get it to shoot as good as a AR will right out of the box.

Bill Ruger was a genius. So was Eugene Stoner. But Stoner got Ruger trumped on this one.

Bottom line here is if Mini 14's would shoot like a AR would that what I would be shooting today.
 
I don't think the design is the issue. Ruger and Stoner can stand on the same podium as far as I'm concerned. The production techniques and tolerances are the problems with the mini. I've read several DIY upgrades that address these problems. Things like gas blocks that don't mate properly, glass bedding for stock issues, barrel shortening to combat whip in the light mini barrel, barrel shrouds to stiffen same whippy barrel, etc. etc. Nope, not DESIGN that's bad, just EXECUTION.
 
Take a Mini out.. and it rarely will Not Fire.. drop it in the Mud..get dirt in it, feed it Wolf ammo... its reliable.. Sight it in, and it will hold 100 yds for the first shot, after that its a crapshoot. I have one, and realise its potential, or "lack of". Its a sturdy gun that you can rely on, but a paper puncher it isnt. Mine doesent go Coyote hunting much. I cant see spending another $700 to make it shoot like it should have originaly.
 
I have a dad that has shot probably 500 or more coyotes with a stock minni. If you are only shooting out to 250- they will take them down no prob. All these guys with the black rifles for some reason want to knock it. It dose not shoot 1/2 inch but a majority of them are around 1.5 2 inches. they will and have worked. i dont think 10% of the people on here could shoot 2 inch group of hand with no rest.
 
Well, I dont have a Black rifle, I was just stating that the Mini has serious limitations.. a 2 1/2 group at 100 is a 5" group. At 250 yds the Coyote isnt a very big target, and a 5" variance is a little "unsporting " in my book.. I'm not trying to start a fight.. I'm just stating my Preferences. I believe that a Coyote deserves a clean kill, but to each his own. As I said.. I like the Mini for what it does well, and thats firing every time I pull the Trigger.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
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