Mini 14

In the most general sense, 3" @ 100m. Wrong idea for gophers in my mind. I would prefer a bolt gun that shoots under an inch, so the shots beyond 300m are not a spray and pray situation. There are AR15 variants that shoot under an inch, and a couple that are non-restricted.
 
In the most general sense, 3" @ 100m. Wrong idea for gophers in my mind. I would prefer a bolt gun that shoots under an inch, so the shots beyond 300m are not a spray and pray situation. There are AR15 variants that shoot under an inch, and a couple that are non-restricted.

My mini which is a new production shoots 2.5" at 100m with Irons. I've used if for gophers with out problems. Previous to that I used a WWII M-1 carbine. Believe it or not y'all don't need a sub MOA bolt gun to get rid of varmits, the Mini-14, M-1, Deerfield Carbine, Nylon 66, 10/22, Marlin will all kill a gopher dead.

There are no non restricted variants of the AR-15 in this country unfortunately.
 
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There are no non restricted variants of the AR-15 in this country unfortunately.[/QUOTE]

Actually, there now are... A couple showed up in Victoria just today..
not "technically" a "variant"... that is why they are not restricted.. Check around... they will be in a neighborhood near you.. Also saw the new 308 remington.. sure blows the bushmaster away... so does the price, but there ya go...
 
[QUOTE Actually, there now are... A couple showed up in Victoria just today..
not "technically" a "variant"... that is why they are not restricted.. Check around... they will be in a neighborhood near you.. Also saw the new 308 remington.. sure blows the bushmaster away... so does the price, but there ya go...
Are you Referring to the Remington R25 and R15 series of rifles? They are a variant of the AR-15 and restricted. If you not, show me the money homey, and send a link.
 
There are no non restricted variants of the AR-15 in this country unfortunately.

Actually, there now are... A couple showed up in Victoria just today..
not "technically" a "variant"... that is why they are not restricted.. Check around... they will be in a neighborhood near you.. Also saw the new 308 remington.. sure blows the bushmaster away... so does the price, but there ya go...[/QUOTE]

Take a wild guess who makes Remington's R-15?:D
 
Went to the range today and made a 1 3/4" 5 shot group using hornady 68gr BTHP with my Mini. It's a 580 series as well. made in 2005.

Looks like Ruger is making a Tactical series with a thicker cold hammer forged barrel as well. Only draw back is the barrels are 16" (restricted). I'd like to see how it shoots though.
 
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I had a very nice, late 80's production stainless ranch rifle.

Worst firearm ever.

Worst trigger I've ever seen on any firearm and grouped 4"-5", scoped and sandbagged at 100 yards.

Unbelievable from a rifle retailing for nearly $800 at the time. I have a hard time describing how pissed and let down I was.

Since then I've talked to lots of Mini 14 owners who had similar experiences.

Be afraid, be very afraid.
 
I guess by that logic I should be very afraid of the AR series of rifles as well, I mean they are jam o matics and unreliable right. It was 40 years ago but hey be afraid be very afraid.
 
I guess by that logic I should be very afraid of the AR series of rifles as well, I mean they are jam o matics and unreliable right. It was 40 years ago but hey be afraid be very afraid.

A little touchy about your mini are we? Do some digging around; the Mini 14 has a very well deserved reputation for bad accuracy.

From what you've stated it sounds like yours is a decent rifle; if most former Mini 14 owners had rifles as accurate as that they would still have them, but LOTS of us were not so lucky.
 
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The mini has served as my plinker, patrol Carbine and Tactical weapon for many years. My Father also used it in his policing career in the 80's in the tactical role. I've used the standard Mini, the Stainless, the GB and ACC556. They are tough, reliable and accurate. I don't need to go digging around to find info about the Mini, I've forged my own both on and off duty.
By accurate I mean grouping 2-3" at 100 yards which is plenty fine for it's intended purpose.

The people who I've trained who pattern 5-6 inch groups both with the AR and the mini have an issue with themselves and not the weapon in every instance.

Now granted I've seen one mini that always shot high and right no matter what ya did, and I've seen one that always shot low. So yes just like any rifle there have be a few lemons, same goes for the new C-8's we have transitioned too. Heck we’ve had issues with SIG's and MP5's for that matter.

The fact is yes I get touchy when someone bashes a good piece of kit that I have come to respect.

The 580 series is a different animal compared to the earlier production models just like the M-16 is to the M-16A4. New CNC machining techniques have enabled the manufacturing tolerances to be reduced along with improved casting technology that also reduces tolerances. The barrels are also thicker and the gas system has been tweaked. The sights on the rifle have also been improved.

Nice fish by the way!
 
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my mini is also so so in the accuracy department but still kills ground hogs dead. i found it is more accurate with the flash hider pinned on. not sure why . must take some of the whip out of that pencil sized barrel. its a keeper in my books .
 
I had a 183 series stainless mini 14. It got the job done on yotes ect for me, but it was not the most accurate firearm.

I liked it, but ended up trading it straight up for a CZ858 Tactical awhile back.

Now its been a year since I'v had a mini and now I want one again So I decided to instead step up to its bigger brother the Mini 30, and it will serve as my new Deer Carbine.

I'll let you all know how it performs on the field soon enough, and hopefully I will like and keep it.

I see that it is an older series as well however with the more spagetti like barrel so it is hard to say.
 
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