Opinions on the Ruger Mini-14

All you mini14 bashers need to try some different ammo...mine would shoot 8" with white box Winchester or American eagle, but 3/4" with the Hornady superformance. I think part of the problem is the crappy ammo available in 223...you don't see crappy 22-250 or 204 or 243 etc. I've never seen ammo make so much of a difference as with 223.
 
Thanks for the entertaining thread. I love to hear from the Mini bashers. Early guns were inconsistent and not finely accurate--but were reliable--just as they were intended to be. They are not and never will be bench rest accurate guns. The newer series rifles are much more consistent but still are not bench rest guns. The answer to a lot of the perceived problems with the Mini is either get an adjustable gas block or get a set of bushings and "tune" the rifle to your ammo, oh, and as has been pointed out repeatedly--use good quality ammo. My eyes are not up to the irons any more but with a cheap old Bushnel scopechief 1-4X scope by 581 series mini with adjustable gas block will consistently stay inside 1.75" at 100 yards off the bench. Plenty good enough to frighten coyotes out to 250 yards or so. Like it or don't like it, that is your privilege, but always remember that it is not a bench rest target gun. YMMV, 44Bore.
 
I have a mini 14 582 series to be honest I was a little unsure about buying it, but when I did I wouldn't trade it for anything, I love that little rifle I use it for plinking and shooting coyotes (been pretty successful to lol). Like many have said this rifle is not a tack driver so if that's what you are looking for then Don't buy it. But I have took yotes out at 150 yards with this thing so that good enough for me. I have done 2 things with mine I put the accu-strut on it the 6" one, and a amk muzzle break both which helped improve accuracy, and with this gun the biggest thing I noticed is ammo makes a huge difference in accuracy more so than my other rifles so be prepared to play with different brands. I should also Input that I have put over 800 rounds through this rifle and have had 2 FTF's, yes that's it! Here are some of my groups at 100 yards with different ammo. I don't know who says mini 14 can't be accurate. Ps: if some trigger work was done to these rifles I think that would help a lot
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Question: who has shot the mini in 6.8 spc? This is a very accurate round and a can only be purchased in good quality ammo. Curious to hear about the experience with this rare Rifle.
 
WOW I haven't checked this thread in a day and a half - first off I just want to say thanks to everyone for their input. A PLETHORA of information for me to consider - I never expected my OP to generate 7 pages of responses.
I should say that I have a CC SA20 I use for busting clays with iron sights at ~200yd/m. It is a FINE rifle and my first AR-15 pattern, I love everything about it (I just always wanted my own C7 =P) - everything except its classification status.

I was thinking I would try to find a used one but maybe I'd be better off if I bought brand new? From what I'm reading the newer ones seem to have ironed out the issues with the older ones. The non-STANAG mags thing is a pain but not a deal breaker. It doesn't have to be the most accurate gun in the world, mostly just want to use it to go target shooting in the bush, probably not beyond 100-150 m. I however do want a gun that is "just going to work" out of the box so to speak. In the last 2 years I just finished a 10/22 build and minimal budget accuracy build for my M305, and I've got two little kids so the time I have to tweak firearms is minimal right now. I'd rather just use that time (and money) to go shooting.

Back to the Type 97, my friend has one and I've shot his quite a few times. It's not horrible, it is a lot of fun to shoot, but I just can't get behind the clumsiness of it. And I'm not a fan of "bullpup trigger." I respect it for what it is, but I'm not sure if I bought one I wouldn't be selling it a few months later.

I will also look into VZ58 pattern options, that is a good suggestion.

ALSO, someone suggested earlier about a bolt-action as an option. That is also something I've considered but not researched. I always wanted a R700. Is there a popular bolt-action that takes STANAG mags? I already have a bunch for the SA20 and it would be great if I didn't have to buy different magazines.

Again, thanks to everyone for their input.
 
ColKurtz said:
I always wanted a R700. Is there a popular bolt-action that takes STANAG mags? I already have a bunch for the SA20 and it would be great if I didn't have to buy different magazines.
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I don't think Remington has a 700 that takes AR mags but a company makes a conversion kit.
However Remington makes the 7615, a pump-action carbine matching your criteria. The 760 family uses the same controls than the 870.
 
ColKurtz said:
WOW I haven't checked this thread in a day and a half - first off I just want to say thanks to everyone for their input. A PLETHORA of information for me to consider - I never expected my OP to generate 7 pages of responses.
I should say that I have a CC SA20 I use for busting clays with iron sights at ~200yd/m. It is a FINE rifle and my first AR-15 pattern, I love everything about it (I just always wanted my own C7 =P) - everything except its classification status.

I was thinking I would try to find a used one but maybe I'd be better off if I bought brand new? From what I'm reading the newer ones seem to have ironed out the issues with the older ones. The non-STANAG mags thing is a pain but not a deal breaker. It doesn't have to be the most accurate gun in the world, mostly just want to use it to go target shooting in the bush, probably not beyond 100-150 m. I however do want a gun that is "just going to work" out of the box so to speak. In the last 2 years I just finished a 10/22 build and minimal budget accuracy build for my M305, and I've got two little kids so the time I have to tweak firearms is minimal right now. I'd rather just use that time (and money) to go shooting.

Back to the Type 97, my friend has one and I've shot his quite a few times. It's not horrible, it is a lot of fun to shoot, but I just can't get behind the clumsiness of it. And I'm not a fan of "bullpup trigger." I respect it for what it is, but I'm not sure if I bought one I wouldn't be selling it a few months later.

I will also look into VZ58 pattern options, that is a good suggestion.

ALSO, someone suggested earlier about a bolt-action as an option. That is also something I've considered but not researched. I always wanted a R700. Is there a popular bolt-action that takes STANAG mags? I already have a bunch for the SA20 and it would be great if I didn't have to buy different magazines.

Again, thanks to everyone for their input.
Click to expand...

The Mossberg MVP line of rifles use STANAG magazines.
 
I have owned- mini 14, kel tec su-16, Norinco t97 and an AR-15.
best accuracy-
1 AR
2- Keltec su-16
3- T97
4th place finish to the Mini.
I loved the looks and handling of the Mini the best ! But couldn't get the groups I was hoping for. My 2cents

To be perfectly honest... I had a beretta storm cx4 9mm that got better groups @100 yards.
 
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wildphil24 said:
I don't think Remington has a 700 that takes AR mags but a company makes a conversion kit.
However Remington makes the 7615, a pump-action carbine matching your criteria. The 760 family uses the same controls than the 870.
Click to expand...

Now THAT is an interesting idea. In all my years of internet gun shopping I don't think I ever came across a pump action carbine. Anybody have any experience with one of these??
 
My 582 shoots minute of coyote at 200 yards with a red dot. If you want clover leafs buy a bolt action. Feeds and ejects everything except shellacked steel cased ammo and pisses off libs, will never sell it.
Adam
 
archer2u said:
My 582 shoots minute of coyote at 200 yards with a red dot. If you want clover leafs buy a bolt action. Feeds and ejects everything except shellacked steel cased ammo and pisses off libs, will never sell it.
Adam
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X2.. except mine ran the steel case ammo just fine. If you want a fun plinker that will give you thousands of rounds of reliability and a big smile buy the mini. It won't give great accuracy but that's not why I bought mine anyways.
 
What about the Mossberg MVP Patrol? The more I look the more I like, and the price is great. Except I can't find them for sale anywhere in Canda yet. Everyone is sold out, which must mean they are worthy.... right?
 
cerebral_bore said:
They were around $800 at one point. At that price, I'd say worth it. At 1$1200.... no thx Jeff
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Just be careful buying used. A lot of people with 180+ series rifles use the price point of the new 581+ series when gauging what a 180+ is worth. Anything over 700 for a 180+ series is too much IMO. They are not the same rifles despite sharing a common name. If the new 581 series was accurately distinguished from the early Mini 14 you wouldn't have uneducated opinions from people chiming in saying "they shoot minute of barn door" which is complete horse#### and couldn't be further from the truth.
 
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