My Mini 14 in 222Rem - first time shooting it today

[Whelen B]

Always knew the mini14 platform was not the best for accuracy - especially the older ones. But I came across this one - a factory chambered ranch rifle in 222Rem and bought it. I figured if any round might shoot reasonably accurately in an older mini14 it might.

Here's the rifle;

Here's the last six shots I fired today of Win 50gr PSP factory ammo before I left the range. The scope is a cheap fixed 4x Sportview. All shot at 100yds. Not bad accuracy for the first kick at the can - that is - considering it's an older mini14. It's no tack driver but it has potential as a yote/varmint gun I think. That's my plan for it. I think I can tighten the groups more with better glass, a bipod and some handloading experimentation.

7/8"

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1 5/8"

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With my first handloads got 1 5/16" using 22grs 3031 and 40Vmax - but printed way low and left - ???

 

[Rembo]

that's not bad for a Mini....

Minis in 222 are quite rare...apparently they were made for export to countries where civilians are not allowed to own arms chambered for military cartridges, Spain and Brazil were a couple of the countrys...there were a few more.

 

[Brutus]

Congratulations, for a factory issue unmodified Mini, that is the best shooting I've seen done with one.

 

[tikka]

You are thinking of selling it you say........LOL!
Tikka

 

[Gormley Green]

Does that have an aftermarket scope mount or weaver mounts machined into the receiver?

Nice gun, and nice shooting.

 

[Whelen B]

Does that have an aftermarket scope mount or weaver mounts machined into the receiver?

Neither - just regular ruger rings - mediums I think - clamped directly on to the receiver which is designed/grooved for them at the factory. Certainly not weavers.

 

[Gormley Green]

Neither - just regular ruger rings - mediums I think - clamped directly on to the receiver which is designed/grooved for them at the factory. Certainly not weavers.

Thanks. In its profile it looks like an older model like mine, though I have no ability to mount rings on my receiver. Yours must be a bit newer, but before they incorporated the new tapered barrel and front sight.

I love the Mini-14. Too much fun to shoot, accuracy has never bothered me with it - regardless, that's not why I bought it!

 

[dharmaeye]

...

 

[M12shooter]

A Mini 14 in 222 Rem, never heard of it until today. If you load try 20.5 grains of IMR 4198 pushing a 50 grain Sierra spitzer or Blitz. Of coarse it would be reccomended to reduce this charge by 10 percent to start.

 

[B]

That is pretty good shooting for any stock semi-auto you aren't going to pay stupid amounts of cash for. I always hear the mini getting knocked for it's "pencil thin" barrel among other whining. I seem to do pretty well with the Minis I get to shoot. I am pretty impressed with the Target version especially. The one I shot handled PMC 55 grain sub MOA.

 

[mlehtovaara]

Your doing better than the guy shooting with me a yesterday! His first group at 50m was about an inch. After that as the barrel warmed up they turned into 2 and even 3 inches! I was amazed at how terrible it was shooting, and couldnt help but laugh a little thinking of all the "Minute Of Barn" stories I've heard on here. You are doing well with a 4x scope IMHO. 7/8ths of an inch at 100 yards out of a semi auto is fantastic!

 

[scianna54]

The reason why accuracy is a problem with the Minis is the high gas pressure and the weight.

I had a Mini 14 Target which was shooting 1 inch groups at 100 m consistently with factory ammo. Now I have a Mini 580 and am having a hard time getting nice groups. Reason: 2.5 pounds lighter and no harmonic balancer which really keeps the Mini "on the ground". I can hold the 580 as tight as I want, it almost jumps out of my hands and the brass is flying everywhere.

For that reason I ordered those little round pieces called "recoil reduction gas bushing kit" at

h t t p://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/mini_14_30_accessories.php/

and I am pretty sure that all will be fine.

Also, the gas block needs to be aligned nicely, personally I don't think that the same gap on each side is the right way (factory setting) as it really depends on how the operating rod is moving and slamming against the gas block. This can nicely be seen (and adjusted accordingly) when you take off the heat shield and manually open and close the action.