Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy - The Firearms Forum

mesinge2 · 08-11-2011, 07:17 PM

I own countless handguns and why I have not gotten into rifle shooting sooner I have no idea.

First let me start by saying that I got this from a friend that gave me a great deal. It came with two 20rd mags, a 5rd mag, two stocks, and a scope with mounting hardware. Before it even arrived I bought a laser bore sighter, a 30rd Ruger Mag, 400 rounds of 223 Remi, and a case with a scope sleeve and 5 magazine sleeves.

Here she is:

I thought 400 rounds would last me a while, Nope! I fired 300 rounds total the first time out. I reloaded the mags 3 times plus a partial 20rd mag. So in total I fired three 30 round mags, nine 20 round mags, three 5 round mags, and one 20 round mag with 15 rounds in it (the remains of the final box).

It never jammed once!!!

The indoor range I go to has two 100 yard rifle lanes with flags every 20 yards. Here's a video of the target at 80 yards with the scope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g9CUNO6Vgo

And the resultant target:

An am better with a scope and I need practice without one, though. Here is a target of 40 yards with Iron Sights:

Now came cleaning. This was worrying me but it turns out I was worried for no reason. With a buddy's advice and the videos below it was actually very easy. I am super happy with this gun. I will so be buying more rifles!!!

P.S. Proof I took it apart ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93XmX2IIjQQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPnDq...eature=related

lonewolf204 · 08-11-2011, 10:06 PM

Looks good, I shoot a mini 14 a little!

bamashooter · 08-12-2011, 02:22 AM

I love my mini-14 and I handload for it. To date my best group is 1.25'' You did some nice shooting considering its your first time out with your mini. Nice. Break down for cleaning is simple. Maintenance is no problem with the mini.

3/2 STA SS · 08-12-2011, 06:42 AM

You have an awesome weapon there. I would stay away from the 40 round aftermarket mags....they get sticky with their design and don't feed right. Other than that,nice rifle.

JLA · 08-17-2011, 07:48 PM

The accustrut helps the stringing alot. I accurized mine with a trigger job, accustrut, 11* crown, and bedded the reviever to the stock.

I love my mini, though I cant say i am fond of chasing the brass down to reload it. I am on the cusp of trading it for a bolt action savage or remington .223 because it slings empties over 40 feet..

Great shooter though!

mesinge2 · 08-17-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

though I cant say i am fond of chasing the brass down to reload it.

Nice Mini !

I know what your talking about I only found about half of my brass. I am thinking about getting a brass catcher from E&L Manufacturing:

http://www.brasscatchers.com/store/b...l#Anchor-47857

6x6pinz · 08-17-2011, 08:00 PM

not a ruger fan but once in a while they have a good toy or two. The Mini happens to be one. I picked up the mini 30 as I prefer shooting the 762 39 round in my carbine style rifles. A buddy has the AC556, if you think the mini 14 is fun try an AC556. Hard not to want one after shooting it.

flyingtiger85 · 08-18-2011, 01:43 PM

Great gun and I feel they are very underated.I have one and shot 1000's of rounds through it.It doesn't jam your right on about that one.A friend has the ruger 7.62x39 mini-14 version called the Thirsty-30.It has always had feeding problems and he has ordered about every magazine avalible.Only certain 5-10 round mags are reliable in it.
I love that gun but blowing out 30 and 40 round magazines gets expensive.So I just shoot a few then shoot other guns.

Snakedriver · 08-18-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesinge2

Nice Mini !

I know what your talking about I only found about half of my brass. I am thinking about getting a brass catcher from E&L Manufacturing:

http://www.brasscatchers.com/store/b...l#Anchor-47857

I've been using an E & L MFG. box brasscatcher like that on my Mini-14 for years & years. It works perfectly and doesn't interfere with the operation of the gun in any way. Well worth the $36 they cost. Will hold 40 or 50 casings before it needs emptying.

JLA · 08-18-2011, 03:25 PM

makes it look kinda like a SAW too..

The Duke · 08-18-2011, 04:20 PM

I like my Mini-14...did put a set of ghost ring sights on a few years back..Now I can even shoot it without optics!! Very reliable with Ruger Mags...

Now if Ruger would only make a full size version of the M1A, Id be in line to buy that one for sure.

JLA · 08-18-2011, 04:32 PM

I have always wanted someone to make a mini version of the garand in .223. mini enbloc clips and all, complete with the last shot 'ping'

08-11-2011, 07:17 PM	#1
mesinge2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 539	Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy I own countless handguns and why I have not gotten into rifle shooting sooner I have no idea. First let me start by saying that I got this from a friend that gave me a great deal. It came with two 20rd mags, a 5rd mag, two stocks, and a scope with mounting hardware. Before it even arrived I bought a laser bore sighter, a 30rd Ruger Mag, 400 rounds of 223 Remi, and a case with a scope sleeve and 5 magazine sleeves. Here she is: I thought 400 rounds would last me a while, Nope! I fired 300 rounds total the first time out. I reloaded the mags 3 times plus a partial 20rd mag. So in total I fired three 30 round mags, nine 20 round mags, three 5 round mags, and one 20 round mag with 15 rounds in it (the remains of the final box). It never jammed once!!! The indoor range I go to has two 100 yard rifle lanes with flags every 20 yards. Here's a video of the target at 80 yards with the scope. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g9CUNO6Vgo And the resultant target: An am better with a scope and I need practice without one, though. Here is a target of 40 yards with Iron Sights: Now came cleaning. This was worrying me but it turns out I was worried for no reason. With a buddy's advice and the videos below it was actually very easy. I am super happy with this gun. I will so be buying more rifles!!! P.S. Proof I took it apart ;D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93XmX2IIjQQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPnDq...eature=related __________________ NRA Certified Instructor "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise. I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind ... Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." 1785, Thomas Jefferson. -->

08-11-2011, 10:06 PM	#2
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 799	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy Looks good, I shoot a mini 14 a little! __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

08-12-2011, 02:22 AM	#3
bamashooter V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: north alabama Posts: 55	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy I love my mini-14 and I handload for it. To date my best group is 1.25'' You did some nice shooting considering its your first time out with your mini. Nice. Break down for cleaning is simple. Maintenance is no problem with the mini.

08-12-2011, 06:42 AM	#4
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,454	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy You have an awesome weapon there. I would stay away from the 40 round aftermarket mags....they get sticky with their design and don't feed right. Other than that,nice rifle. __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

08-17-2011, 07:48 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy The accustrut helps the stringing alot. I accurized mine with a trigger job, accustrut, 11* crown, and bedded the reviever to the stock. I love my mini, though I cant say i am fond of chasing the brass down to reload it. I am on the cusp of trading it for a bolt action savage or remington .223 because it slings empties over 40 feet.. Great shooter though! Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-17-2011, 08:00 PM	#7
6x6pinz V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 382	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy not a ruger fan but once in a while they have a good toy or two. The Mini happens to be one. I picked up the mini 30 as I prefer shooting the 762 39 round in my carbine style rifles. A buddy has the AC556, if you think the mini 14 is fun try an AC556. Hard not to want one after shooting it. __________________ friends don't let friends carry glocks

08-18-2011, 01:43 PM	#8
flyingtiger85 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nevada Posts: 777	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy Great gun and I feel they are very underated.I have one and shot 1000's of rounds through it.It doesn't jam your right on about that one.A friend has the ruger 7.62x39 mini-14 version called the Thirsty-30.It has always had feeding problems and he has ordered about every magazine avalible.Only certain 5-10 round mags are reliable in it. I love that gun but blowing out 30 and 40 round magazines gets expensive.So I just shoot a few then shoot other guns. Last edited by flyingtiger85; 08-18-2011 at 02:38 PM..

08-18-2011, 03:25 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy makes it look kinda like a SAW too.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-18-2011, 04:20 PM	#11
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy I like my Mini-14...did put a set of ghost ring sights on a few years back..Now I can even shoot it without optics!! Very reliable with Ruger Mags... Now if Ruger would only make a full size version of the M1A, Id be in line to buy that one for sure.

08-18-2011, 04:32 PM	#12
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Range Report: Opinions on Ruger Mini-14 from a handgun guy I have always wanted someone to make a mini version of the garand in .223. mini enbloc clips and all, complete with the last shot 'ping' __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!