freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
Don't feed the troll
Ruger Mini-14 accuracy
- Thread starter Slamfire
- Start date
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
These are fun rifles!
Nice to see that a rail is also included with new Mini's so an aimpoint or the like can be readily installed.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
The Mini-14 barrel has a rather long throat. Many rifles that I own get the best groups when bullets are seated close to the rifling. Magazine length won't allow for much of an increase in standard cartridge OAL.
So be aware the long throat could be an accuracy limiting factor for anyone who hopes to achieve precision bench rest accuracy with a Mini-14.
So be aware the long throat could be an accuracy limiting factor for anyone who hopes to achieve precision bench rest accuracy with a Mini-14.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Very good accuracy from an autoloader. I will have to go look into how the Target model is designed differently from the standard model Mini-14.
The target has a tighter 233 chamber, heavy stainless barrel and a harmonic dampener.
I have 3 dope settings for the scope. for 62gr CTHP, 55gr FMJ and 45 gr SP.
It's a heavy beast, but I use it for coyote from a blind, furthest has been about 225 yds. Which where I hunt is about the furthest clear shot I can get.
Its taken me over 30 yrs to buy a Mini and now I bought 2 this year.
Are there more accurate semi 223s? Yes...
Are there more accurate and reliable semi 223s under a grand? No..
For the money there is not a semi 223 that can touch the Mini, be it a 180 series or newer.
If the mini was as bad as some claim... Ruger would have dumped it long ago and concentrated solely on higher margin, less complex ARs.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
I'm new to the 223. Very cool round. I recently purchased a new 223 Savage Hog Hunter on sale for 5 notes and change. Fitted with a Bushnell Elite 3200 fixed 10x4mm scope it's a tack-driver with select ammo. This and my Mini-14 make real nice range toys.
For dedicated coyote hunting I would be inclined to use my .300 Win. Mag. with 130gr hollow point bullets at around 3500 fps MV. For the terminal effect.
Savage Hog Hunter .223 Remington with Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40mm scope
I always find it amusing that everyone rags on the 581 and newer Mini's for accuracy, but the XCR in 7.62x39, Famae SG540, Tavor, VZ58, etc are all similar in the accuracy department. My SG542 shot the same as my 581 Mini-30 at 100 yards. 3 MOA with a vortex sparc. Except, the FAMAE cost 3x as much.
I'm hoping to get out next week, I'm swapping my Vortex Sparc off in favor of a scope (1.5-6x Burris) and added an accustrut. Going to bring a few different types of ammo. I primarily shoot Non corrosive Norinco or Barnaul, but I'm going to bring some Hornady and American Eagle. I knew the Barnaul\Norinco wasn't great, but I didn't think it would be that bad
I'm hoping to get out next week, I'm swapping my Vortex Sparc off in favor of a scope (1.5-6x Burris) and added an accustrut. Going to bring a few different types of ammo. I primarily shoot Non corrosive Norinco or Barnaul, but I'm going to bring some Hornady and American Eagle. I knew the Barnaul\Norinco wasn't great, but I didn't think it would be that bad
300Spartans
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Canada of course
I'm new to the 223. Very cool round. I recently purchased a new 223 Savage Hog Hunter on sale for 5 notes and change. Fitted with a Bushnell Elite 3200 fixed 10x4mm scope it's a tack-driver with select ammo. This and my Mini-14 make real nice range toys.
For dedicated coyote hunting I would be inclined to use my .300 Win. Mag. with 130gr hollow point bullets at around 3500 fps MV. For the terminal effect.
Savage Hog Hunter .223 Remington with Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40mm scope
That's awesome!
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Update: cartridge OAL increased
Many of my rifles shoot tighter groups if bullets are seated out closer to the rifling. I thought I would give this a try with my Mini-14. The rounds have to be single-loaded because of the short magazine length. I also upgraded the scope to a Nikon Omega 3-9x40mm.
Speer Reloading Manual No.11 223 Remington load data was developed using a Mini-14, so I followed the data for 748 powder and 55gr SP bullets (Remington brand). I settled on 27.0 gr and get about 2900 fps MV (as always, safe in my rifle only). For comparison, Norinco factory ammo does about 3050 fps MV.
As expected, group size reduced to sub-inch.
Ruger Mini-14 with Nikon Omega 3-9x40mm scope
Speer Reloading Manual No.11 223 Remington load data
COAL increased
Sub-inch group at 100 meters from the bench rest
My handload chronograph reading
Norinco factory ammo chronograph reading
Many of my rifles shoot tighter groups if bullets are seated out closer to the rifling. I thought I would give this a try with my Mini-14. The rounds have to be single-loaded because of the short magazine length. I also upgraded the scope to a Nikon Omega 3-9x40mm.
Speer Reloading Manual No.11 223 Remington load data was developed using a Mini-14, so I followed the data for 748 powder and 55gr SP bullets (Remington brand). I settled on 27.0 gr and get about 2900 fps MV (as always, safe in my rifle only). For comparison, Norinco factory ammo does about 3050 fps MV.
As expected, group size reduced to sub-inch.
Ruger Mini-14 with Nikon Omega 3-9x40mm scope
Speer Reloading Manual No.11 223 Remington load data
COAL increased
Sub-inch group at 100 meters from the bench rest
My handload chronograph reading
Norinco factory ammo chronograph reading
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
There is a term for the accuracy of these Rifles.
"minute of mini" which is anything from a 1.75" group at 100 to 3"@100.
I liked the easter egg hunt from fired brass. It would expel them into at least 5 different zipcodes. And the fired rounds would cover 1 zipcode.
But for making noise, they were fun
"minute of mini" which is anything from a 1.75" group at 100 to 3"@100.
I liked the easter egg hunt from fired brass. It would expel them into at least 5 different zipcodes. And the fired rounds would cover 1 zipcode.
But for making noise, they were fun
My Mini-30, which is a newer one, is capable of 1-1/2" groups off the bench rest using handloads. I follow the data in the Hornady Handbook using Reloder7 with 123gr SP projectiles.
Using milsurp ammo I get 3" to 4" groups - quite consistently.
Ruger Mini-30 with Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40mm scope
cool, I'm gonna keep looking for a mini 30!
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
There is a term for the accuracy of these Rifles.
"minute of mini" which is anything from a 1.75" group at 100 to 3"@100.
I liked the easter egg hunt from fired brass. It would expel them into at least 5 different zipcodes. And the fired rounds would cover 1 zipcode.
But for making noise, they were fun
i have to agree with the brass flying about a mile and a half.
mine always had a nice ding in them too from what im assuming is the ejector knocking them off at the back of the cycle.
