mini 14 - The Firearms Forum

thood · 10-25-2011, 09:17 PM

hey does any body here shoot mini 14

cycloneman · 10-25-2011, 09:20 PM

Hello

Welcome

Yes

Do you have a question

reynolds357 · 10-25-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thood

hey does any body here shoot mini 14

A little. I shoot my Mini 30 a lot.

Chinook · 10-25-2011, 09:28 PM

Yup, own a 14, in .223 Rem. Great lil Ruger.

Ya just curious who likes the Mini 14, or are ya thinkin about purchasing one, maybe you own one, and have a question about it? Whatever the case, they are awesome firearms, tackdriver, and I love mine. Welcome to TFF by the way.

reynolds357 · 10-25-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chinook

Yup, own a 14, in .223 Rem. Great lil Ruger.

Ya just curious who likes the Mini 14, or are ya thinkin about purchasing one, maybe you own one, and have a question about it? Whatever the case, they are awesome firearms, tackdriver, and I love mine. Welcome to TFF by the way.

They are nice rifles, but "tack driver" might be a bit generous.

6x6pinz · 10-25-2011, 09:32 PM

Tack driver as long as you are using tacks for bullets and don't care what you hit.

I have had three and none of them were all that accurate, reliable yes, accurate no.

I still own a 14 and a 30 and probably always will.

Helix_FR · 10-25-2011, 10:18 PM

Yep, love it. Old series 180 with the longer receiver

Chinook · 10-25-2011, 10:49 PM

The very first one I owned was all sorts of reliable, very true, but accurate was the least of its strong points. I ended up trading it for a pair of 870 Express shotguns! HAHAHAHA! Ah... I almost feel bad. I do have a fair amount of moolah into the newest aquisition of a Ruger Mini 14, but not all that much(relative) compared to a couple 10/22's Ive built! I might have a little over 400 bux, in at home mods, for my Mini 14 with...
24"X.875" Button Rifled Air Gauged 416 SS Barrel w/
11 degree target crown
Simple pillar bedding of action(done at home)
3.5# Match grade trigger(w/ take up adj. screw)
Accuracy Systems Gas Block, gas pipe, and operating rod cup bushing

With match grade ammunition, or some really nice handloads I have done with a friend, this thing went Sub MOA more than once at 100 yds. And it'll do sub 1.5 MOA all day long, almost always! Im kinda glad I spend a few bucks with this one, as Im not a huge fan of AR type firearms, 'cept they are dammed hard to beat accuracy wise, outta the box! But for way less than a mid-range AR, I have a mini 14, that'll out bang my buddy's stock RRA.

Sorry, shoulda said something before spoutin blasphemy like that! Outta the box, they will outlive any AR on the market, but wont hang at the 100 yd range...

popgun · 10-26-2011, 06:27 PM

new ones with the heavy barrel are better than my old stainless ranch. It would heat up and sring the shots vertical

JLA · 10-26-2011, 10:27 PM

I call mine the 'kidmini' because I shortened it for my wife and kids to shoot. Feels like a BB gun to me now..

Chinook · 10-26-2011, 10:37 PM

Aw, dude! Thats right! I forgot all about that thing you built! Thats a sweet rifle! I might hafta get another one for the Lady, and her son to dink around with! The 'lil guy likes mine, but the LOP is a bit much... Really reaches for the trigger. Easy enuff to remedy I 'spose!

cycloneman · 10-26-2011, 11:35 PM

I feel the same way about mini's. They are very reliable. They will eat any ammo. But they are far from accurate. I mounted a scope on one and was very dissapointed. But that was many years ago before vmax bullets. I have another rifle an sl8 that is a tack driver with vmax bullets but it also shoots poorly with fmj. I wonder if vmax bullets in a mini will make a difference.

6x6pinz · 10-27-2011, 07:27 AM

funny story about the Mini. Yesterday I was at the range with a buddy of mine. We were talking about the accuracy of the Mini or lack there of. The guy a couple of lanes down heard me saying how they were not all that accurate and came down to debate the issue. He had his Mini w/scope with him. He said he shoots sub 2" groups at 100yds all the time. I said I would like to see that. He proceeded to shoot 10 rounds down range. We walked out to check the target and he showed me three rounds that were together inside 2" and said see I told you so. It made me wonder if this is how some determine their groups and why they think they are "accurate". I asked about the other seven but he did not respond.

cycloneman · 10-27-2011, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6x6pinz

funny story about the Mini. Yesterday I was at the range with a buddy of mine. We were talking about the accuracy of the Mini or lack there of. The guy a couple of lanes down heard me saying how they were not all that accurate and came down to debate the issue. He had his Mini w/scope with him. He said he shoots sub 2" groups at 100yds all the time. I said I would like to see that. He proceeded to shoot 10 rounds down range. We walked out to check the target and he showed me three rounds that were together inside 2" and said see I told you so. It made me wonder if this is how some determine their groups and why they think they are "accurate". I asked about the other seven but he did not respond.

That is funny.

The Duke · 10-27-2011, 08:25 AM

JLA---That is on a NICE looking Mini...Good Job!!!

reynolds357 · 10-27-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycloneman

I feel the same way about mini's. They are very reliable. They will eat any ammo. But they are far from accurate. I mounted a scope on one and was very dissapointed. But that was many years ago before vmax bullets. I have another rifle an sl8 that is a tack driver with vmax bullets but it also shoots poorly with fmj. I wonder if vmax bullets in a mini will make a difference.

Who knows? I have never gotten Vmax to shoot very well in anything. One of my shooting buddies was working up loads for a 1000 yd rifle using them and after about two hours, he took about 400 of them and slung them in the dumpster cussing all the time about "those fxxxxxx pieces of sxxx." If I used profanity, that would pretty much express my opinion of them as well.

tnhawk · 10-27-2011, 11:29 AM

I've had a mini 14 6.8spc for several years. I have no plan to ever sell it, but my SA M1A gets more range time.

JLA · 10-27-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Duke

JLA---That is on a NICE looking Mini...Good Job!!!

Thanks Duke. It did turn out well. A fully functional piece of art..

Jim Hauff · 10-27-2011, 05:22 PM

Here's my Mini-14. I dressed it up a bit. The muzzle break seemed to dampen some of the harmonics and bring the groups a bit tighter. 2 to 3" x 3 shot groups are pretty normal with any ammo at 100 yds, off a bench rest. It does what I expected it to do - it is what it is.

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cycloneman · 10-27-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynolds357

Who knows? I have never gotten Vmax to shoot very well in anything. One of my shooting buddies was working up loads for a 1000 yd rifle using them and after about two hours, he took about 400 of them and slung them in the dumpster cussing all the time about "those fxxxxxx pieces of sxxx." If I used profanity, that would pretty much express my opinion of them as well.

Hummm. I know he was loading them but v max Hornady factory is the right stuff in my sl8. Hate to see v maxes end up in the trash. There are many factors in 223 accuraticy (did i spell that right). You know they can tumble. You can have a problem with the rings, bases or scope too. Sometimes when you run into these problems I find the best thing to do is to double check everything. ANd dont let it get the best of you just walk away for a while.

reynolds357 · 10-27-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycloneman

Hummm. I know he was loading them but v max Hornady factory is the right stuff in my sl8. Hate to see v maxes end up in the trash. There are many factors in 223 accuraticy (did i spell that right). You know they can tumble. You can have a problem with the rings, bases or scope too. Sometimes when you run into these problems I find the best thing to do is to double check everything. ANd dont let it get the best of you just walk away for a while.

These were being shot in a custom 1000 yard rifle that consistently shoots 6 inch groups at 1000. I have tried them in several of my bench rest rifles and I hate them. Maybe I just expect too much from them, but they sure are not match accuracy.

JLA · 10-27-2011, 06:34 PM

I have a hunch the 1000yd rifle was throated for heavy bullets and the twist rate is faster than 9. Which is exactly why the Vmaxes wouldnt shoot.

reynolds357 · 10-27-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

I have a hunch the 1000yd rifle was throated for heavy bullets and the twist rate is faster than 9. Which is exactly why the Vmaxes wouldnt shoot.

That would have been my guess as well, but the twist was within the range suggested by Hornaday. That is not the case with my .30br, or my 6ppc and
neither of them will shoot them that well either. I am not talking about awful accuracy, but most definitely sub par to a good match grade hollow point.

JLA · 10-27-2011, 07:15 PM

its a mystery then..

10-25-2011, 09:17 PM	#1
thood Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1	mini 14 hey does any body here shoot mini 14 -->

10-25-2011, 09:20 PM	#2
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,401	Re: mini 14 Hello Welcome Yes Do you have a question __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

10-25-2011, 09:28 PM	#4
Chinook V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: 17 pulls, into the propwash... Contributor Posts: 423	Re: mini 14 Yup, own a 14, in .223 Rem. Great lil Ruger. Ya just curious who likes the Mini 14, or are ya thinkin about purchasing one, maybe you own one, and have a question about it? Whatever the case, they are awesome firearms, tackdriver, and I love mine. Welcome to TFF by the way.

10-25-2011, 09:32 PM	#6
6x6pinz V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 382	Re: mini 14 Tack driver as long as you are using tacks for bullets and don't care what you hit. I have had three and none of them were all that accurate, reliable yes, accurate no. I still own a 14 and a 30 and probably always will. __________________ friends don't let friends carry glocks

10-25-2011, 10:18 PM	#7
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,621	Re: mini 14 Yep, love it. Old series 180 with the longer receiver __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

10-25-2011, 10:49 PM	#8
Chinook V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: 17 pulls, into the propwash... Contributor Posts: 423	Re: mini 14 The very first one I owned was all sorts of reliable, very true, but accurate was the least of its strong points. I ended up trading it for a pair of 870 Express shotguns! HAHAHAHA! Ah... I almost feel bad. I do have a fair amount of moolah into the newest aquisition of a Ruger Mini 14, but not all that much(relative) compared to a couple 10/22's Ive built! I might have a little over 400 bux, in at home mods, for my Mini 14 with... 24"X.875" Button Rifled Air Gauged 416 SS Barrel w/ 11 degree target crown Simple pillar bedding of action(done at home) 3.5# Match grade trigger(w/ take up adj. screw) Accuracy Systems Gas Block, gas pipe, and operating rod cup bushing With match grade ammunition, or some really nice handloads I have done with a friend, this thing went Sub MOA more than once at 100 yds. And it'll do sub 1.5 MOA all day long, almost always! Im kinda glad I spend a few bucks with this one, as Im not a huge fan of AR type firearms, 'cept they are dammed hard to beat accuracy wise, outta the box! But for way less than a mid-range AR, I have a mini 14, that'll out bang my buddy's stock RRA. Sorry, shoulda said something before spoutin blasphemy like that! Outta the box, they will outlive any AR on the market, but wont hang at the 100 yd range...

10-26-2011, 06:27 PM	#9
popgun V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 403	Re: mini 14 new ones with the heavy barrel are better than my old stainless ranch. It would heat up and sring the shots vertical

10-26-2011, 10:27 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: mini 14 I call mine the 'kidmini' because I shortened it for my wife and kids to shoot. Feels like a BB gun to me now.. 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!

10-26-2011, 10:37 PM	#11
Chinook V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: 17 pulls, into the propwash... Contributor Posts: 423	Re: mini 14 Aw, dude! Thats right! I forgot all about that thing you built! Thats a sweet rifle! I might hafta get another one for the Lady, and her son to dink around with! The 'lil guy likes mine, but the LOP is a bit much... Really reaches for the trigger. Easy enuff to remedy I 'spose!

10-26-2011, 11:35 PM	#12
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,401	Re: mini 14 I feel the same way about mini's. They are very reliable. They will eat any ammo. But they are far from accurate. I mounted a scope on one and was very dissapointed. But that was many years ago before vmax bullets. I have another rifle an sl8 that is a tack driver with vmax bullets but it also shoots poorly with fmj. I wonder if vmax bullets in a mini will make a difference. __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

10-27-2011, 07:27 AM	#13
6x6pinz V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 382	Re: mini 14 funny story about the Mini. Yesterday I was at the range with a buddy of mine. We were talking about the accuracy of the Mini or lack there of. The guy a couple of lanes down heard me saying how they were not all that accurate and came down to debate the issue. He had his Mini w/scope with him. He said he shoots sub 2" groups at 100yds all the time. I said I would like to see that. He proceeded to shoot 10 rounds down range. We walked out to check the target and he showed me three rounds that were together inside 2" and said see I told you so. It made me wonder if this is how some determine their groups and why they think they are "accurate". I asked about the other seven but he did not respond. __________________ friends don't let friends carry glocks

10-27-2011, 08:25 AM	#15
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: mini 14 JLA---That is on a NICE looking Mini...Good Job!!! __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

10-27-2011, 11:29 AM	#17
tnhawk Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southwest Tennessee Posts: 21	Re: mini 14 I've had a mini 14 6.8spc for several years. I have no plan to ever sell it, but my SA M1A gets more range time.

10-27-2011, 05:22 PM	#19
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: mini 14 Here's my Mini-14. I dressed it up a bit. The muzzle break seemed to dampen some of the harmonics and bring the groups a bit tighter. 2 to 3" x 3 shot groups are pretty normal with any ammo at 100 yds, off a bench rest. It does what I expected it to do - it is what it is. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

10-27-2011, 06:34 PM	#22
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: mini 14 I have a hunch the 1000yd rifle was throated for heavy bullets and the twist rate is faster than 9. Which is exactly why the Vmaxes wouldnt shoot. __________________ 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!

10-27-2011, 07:15 PM	#24
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: mini 14 its a mystery then.. __________________ 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!