Accuracy of Mini 14 Target

Only held one, that said, 69 gr Sierra MK's/ Nosler CC, or one of the 75/77 gr HPBT's from Hornady, Sierra, or Nosler for longer ranges. If Memory serves you can expect around MOA with the right load.
 
That's both the joy and the agony of this rifle. With the barrel tuner thingy you can tune the rifle for almost any bullet/load. I have shot 55gr up to 69gr and found acceptable accuracy. MOA is achievable. The agony is that you have to "tune" it for each load/bullet, so if you change anything (even going from Federal 55gr to Winchester 55gr) you often have to start all over. I always had pretty good luck with 55gr out of mine.
 
I had the chance to shoot a target model a few years ago. With PMC 55 grain I quickly printed a couple 5 shot groups well under an inch at the 100m line. I was so impressed that had I not already owned so many Minis I probably would have went and picked up my own target model.
 
I have 2 minis both are Mini-30 and older models.

Often we shoot from the picnic table at our Ontario farm.
Our range is 88 yards.

I found many times that those mini30 are not more accurate than any of my Yugo 59-66, a 4 inch MOA group is the norm here.
 
Maybe I got lucky with the target model I owned a few years back, but the one I had would run sub MOA with factory white box Winchester 45gr hp. I was told before I bought it to flush the damper with the muzzle and use a dealer gauge on the gas block so that it is tightened down evenly on both sides and that's it. Maybe I had the unicorn, but it would would shoot as well as a good bolt gun. Sold it to a buddy who saw it shoot and couldn't get the money out of his wallet fast enough.
 
caramel said:
I have 2 minis both are Mini-30 and older models.

Often we shoot from the picnic table at our Ontario farm.
Our range is 88 yards.

I found many times that those mini30 are not more accurate than any of my Yugo 59-66, a 4 inch MOA group is the norm here.
Click to expand...

Completely different gun. Just like the older mini-14 (180 models) with the pencil barrel - 4 MOA was doing good. (except for the A-team, they got .5 MOA out of theirs) The target model with the heavy barrel, and harmonic dampener was/is capable of surprising accuracy. It's just a pain in the arse to use, because there is no set rule for which way to turn the dampener. It's definitely a trial and error situation.

Shoot 5 rounds. 2" group. Turn dampener left 1/2 a turn. Shoot 5 rounds. 3" group. Turn dampener back, 1 turn right. Shoot 5 rounds. 1-1/2" group. Turn dampener............
 
Thanks for all the info. I haven’t done a whole lot of testing with mine, but I know it hates a lot of that cheap bulk imported 55gr stuff. I have tried some 53gr Sierra handloads for my bolt gun but still a little over moa. I have put bushings in to help control case ejection, but I haven’t really played with the muzzle dampener as of yet. I found it was coming loose under recoil so I put a dab of blue lock tote on the screws.
 
I know 2 people with the mini-14 target. Both get submoa all day, without using match ammo. One has 10k + rnds through, and still the best semi-auto gopher gun I have seen - using winchester 45g hp.
 
o2vzCcE.jpg


I'm a big fan. I also have a laminate one.

Like others have said, tune them for what you're shooting. They'll impress you.
 
Last edited:
Brutus said:
I sometimes wonder if it's viable to produce this target mini chambered in 222??
Click to expand...

Minis have been produced in .222 for certain markets in the past. I would say if you weren't too concerned with budget it would be completely viable, I would write off any chance of a factory offering though...
 
Zuzy said:
Can you run the harmonic dampener ahead of the muzzle or are all adjustments made with it behind the muzzle?
Click to expand...

Cheaper than a harmonic dampener is a sledge hammer; whack it and start over. Mini 14 and Target is an oxymoron. I just don't get the Ruger Cult thing; it's a rifle designed to hit a man sized target at up to 100 yards; and if you throw it hard enough, it might just do that. An SKS with crap surplus ammo shoots tighter groups... for a lot less cash outlay.
 
Meroh said:
Cheaper than a harmonic dampener is a sledge hammer; whack it and start over. Mini 14 and Target is an oxymoron. I just don't get the Ruger Cult thing; it's a rifle designed to hit a man sized target at up to 100 yards; and if you throw it hard enough, it might just do that. An SKS with crap surplus ammo shoots tighter groups... for a lot less cash outlay.
Click to expand...

Spoken by someone who has never owned one? Perhaps you're only familiar with the pieces of crap they originally made. There are tons of people who can get an inch or under at 100 yards. Myself included. In fact I fired 40 rounds on Saturday and when the falling snow was sizzling on the barrel it was still under 2".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom