582 Series Mini-14 Honest Range Report + Direct Comparison w/AR15

buckbrush said:
SP-1's can really shoot well with good ammo . Mine was much more accurate than any of the M-4/C-8 clones I have had.
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To be fair it's just the barrel assy complete on my AR that is a Colt SP1.
The upper is from a USGI parts kit M16A1, same with the bolt assy complete on DPMS lower. It's a Frankenbuild lol But it shoots! I was surprised to see the Mini-14 holding accuracy with it round for round personally but it's right there on paper.
 
yes it is. Mini 14's have gotten pricey, but even Ruger #1's start at 2K now! If Mini 14's could take AR-15 mags, it would be great.

My Brother just bought a stainless Ranch, now I want one! His would not function properly out of the box, but I fixed it rather than go thru Ruger's warranty service in Quebec.
 
TB I like what you did there with the comparison and thanks for posting. I don't have a mini14 as I don't like the looks of them (as shallow as that is); however, you have opened up alot of eyes including mine. Cheers!
 
I got about an inch with one group at 50yrds with some 75gr steel match hornadys.
I just wanted to see if it was worth trying at 100yrds.
Might have a report tomorrow if it's not a million degrees outside.
 
VanIsleCam said:
TB I like what you did there with the comparison and thanks for posting. I don't have a mini14 as I don't like the looks of them (as shallow as that is); however, you have opened up alot of eyes including mine. Cheers!
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No problem. I was a kool aid drinker for a long time about the rifle after reading threads on here for years.
I bought the rifle used with a heavy dose of skepticism and very very low expectations. To say I was surprised is a drastic understatement. She is now one of my favorites in my small number of firearms I currently own.
 
I recently bought a Mini-14 (blue/wood) just because you can take it anywhere and not have a problem. Took it to the range and had in zeroed... until I got home and started to clean, and the sight screws were all over the place. Was not impressed to say the least. Ordered some tech sights and just installed it. Haven't shot it yet, dang!
AR is a Stag Model 8, and it's great. Sights are good, clean smooth action, upgraded trigger...shoots like a dream, but it has the R rating that limits it.
Both have a place, and a job, but even for its possible flaws, I would grab the 14 first.
 
Good to hear the newer ones shoot better than the older ones. I had an older one with 7 twist and it shot so badly that I couldn't keep it. Sold it and never looked back.
I wanted to like them because I love the M-14 platform but just couldn't accept it shooting groups that were measured in feet instead of inches.

The one thing that I think every Mini-14 needs is an adjustable gas block. I added a recoil buffer to mine and all it did was stop it from locking back on last round.
 
migrant hunter said:
How does the COL of the mini 14 mag compare to the AR? I find the AR mags won't allow for heavier bullets to be seated longer. Is the mini 14 mag any longer?
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Actually I use Ruger factory 5 round mags. They are plentiful and cheap
I shoot FMJ bulk ammo because I'm poor as s**t. FMJ projo is about as long a projo as you can find and they fit tight in the mag but feed 100% reliably. There is not much more room ahead of the tip of the projectile when using FMJ .223 rem
I have never had a single stoppage yet with my Mini-14
 
Ok, thanks. I have a .223 bolt gun and an SU16. I load Campro fmj for the SU16 and 55 gr vmax for the bolt gun. If I want to go varminting with the SU 16, I have to run my vmax loads through the seating die again to knock them down to AR length.
 
Took my new 583 to the range yesterday after a Brimstone trigger job. 4 rounds in 1.5" with the 5th out opening it to 2.5". That's with Federal Tactical 55gr fmj. It really didn't like the 77gr I had unfortunately. That's with a 3-9x40 scope.
 
migrant hunter said:
Ok, thanks. I have a .223 bolt gun and an SU16. I load Campro fmj for the SU16 and 55 gr vmax for the bolt gun. If I want to go varminting with the SU 16, I have to run my vmax loads through the seating die again to knock them down to AR length.
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Compare your max seating of projo to any generic FMJ loading.
As long as it's no further out in overall cartridge length than a standard FMJ cartridge, the magazines should fit/handle them just fine I would say.
 
Travis Bickle said:
The Tavor I owned for about 3 weeks couldn't group a sewer lid at 100 meters with irons on it. It was honestly too large to measure with any method other than a tape measure and the pattern was indescribable.
It was by far the most inaccurate semi .223 I ever shot. Maybe second. The T97 I owned for one range outing before I sold it was THE least accurate. even worse than the Tavor and not reliable between magazines and ammunition projo type.

The Tavor was made for shooting Palestinians in the face in CQB engagements at 15 meters and to be extremely reliable while doing it. Which it does.
It has its merits but seriously $3 ####ing thousand dollars for one in Canada!? No thanks. I'll stick with my second hand Mini14 for $800 lol Plus I hate bullpup designs but that's beside the point (I tried to force myself to like them twice)

I'm skeptical about the accustrut myself however. I wouldn't even bother with the accuracy I'm getting out of mine now with junk ammo. It's more than I could have hoped for in a semi auto .223 and NR in this ### country.
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i was bored a couple summers back and picked up a accustrut and tested it.
it closed up my groups consistently about 25%.
so the question is this - is the investment worth 25% smaller groups for you?

for me it was.
 
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