Ruger ranch rifle opinions please

KDX

KDX

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I was thinking of getting a semi auto 223 and was wondering what this gun was like. It would be used mainly for plinking, the odd gopher and maybe some coyotes out to about 200 yards or so. Would a AR-180B be a better choice, and if so why?
 
Accuracy = Minute of Barn.

I've owned a Ruger Mini-14, a couple of Mini-14 Ranch rifles & a Mini-30. Fun plinkers. None of them were particularly accurate. By that I mean 2 1/2" - 3" benched at 100 yards. If that works for you then go for it. ;) :)
 
NAA

Hit the nail on the head.....I have owned three variants of the Mini 14.....they are not at all accurate.....sks accuracy yet 4 times the cost....so why do i keep buying them.....god knows ???????
 
Although the ruger Mini 14's and Ranch rifles are not Uber Accurate they are compact, tough and super reliable. And they are certainly accurate enough for plinking, cranking the odd varmint and home defense.
 
Mini 14 is Okay Plinker & Fun Gun...

BIGREDD said:
Although the ruger Mini 14's and Ranch rifles are not Uber Accurate they are compact, tough and super reliable. And they are certainly accurate enough for plinking, cranking the odd varmint and home defense.
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I totally agree... just don't expect your Mini-14 to do what your bull barrel .223 bolt rifle will do or your tuned AR-15... ;) :)
 
KDX
I have one for the same purposes you specified. It will easily fill the bill. Mine has had a trigger job, glass bedded, choate flash hider installed, recoil buffer, and re-touqued the gas block, this can all be done for pretty cheap. Mine shoots 3 round groups into 1.5" @ 100 yds with handloads featuring hornady 60gr V-max bullets over Varget powder. It is one of my favorite rifles. Check this site out for a wealth of info http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=8

ZM
 
I've got one for sale in the EE for a decent price I believe with a Hart barrel, tuned trigger polished internals, muzzle brake..ect. I shot 1/2 to 3/4 inch group with it at 100 and previous owner told me he could get 1/2 MOA at 200.
:)
Sorry for the hijack but I needed to say that they can be accurate.... when you invest 3 times their price in them...

Pilot
 
NAA said:
Okay Puma, so tell us about your sub MOA Ruger Mini-14's... :rolleyes: :p
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Well, NAA..let me tell ya...sub MOA, doubtful but...

its a Stock Ranch rifle with a red dot scope that slays hundreds of gophers every summer in my pastures, and I like to let the close ones go free...:)
 
Puma said:
Well, NAA..let me tell ya...sub MOA, doubtful but...

its a Stock Ranch rifle with a red dot scope that slays hundreds of gophers every summer in my pastures, and I like to let the close ones go free...:)
Click to expand...

All good... the Mini-14 is a practical tool for varmints then but not necessarily a "target rifle".... ;) :D
 
Ruger Mini 14

Hi
I have had probably 10 or 15 Mini's over the years, and the only ones that shoot are the 188 series and up. I had two 187's at the same time and one shot great and the other one (early 187 series) didn't shoot worth S__t. I checked the twist in each Mini and the later mini had a tighter twist. There was three barrel changes from series 180 to 188. They won't shoot as good as a target rifle but like the other gentlemen said previously, they are dependable and compact. The only other firearm I really like is the AR 15, and AR 180's. I think the AR 180B would be fun to shoot. I haven't looked at any of the AR 180B's to compare them to the originals but I had great accuracy out of my old 180. The Mini 14 is at a reasonable price for someone starting out. The political climate could make owning one difficult in the future. I have a stainless Mini for sale if you are interested?
Good luck with your choice.
Thanks
Albayo
 
I get tired of defending my mini
Is it a tack driver ? NO
Is it fun varmint plinking NON-RESTRICTED fun -----YES
Also you can pick up a used one for about a third the cost of an AR OH hang on you can't SHOOT any varmints with the AR
Sorry I guess its not a fair comparison

I've also been thinking of getting an AR-180 but for you you're not going to find an AR-180 for the same money as the mini -14 also while I hear the 180 is more accurate than the mini its no tack driver either
 
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Hi,

Also had at one time a mini 30, in 7.62 and was lots of fun to shoot and the recoil was impressively low and as many mentionned, accuracy wasn't what I expected but.... still fun to empty a mag in a blast. :D , nice looking rifle though I didn't regret my move to sell her.

PaulT
 
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i own a mini 14 ranch, series 187 , fer many years now, hits everything i try , just got an old 4 power scope on it , i prefer it to ar-15s, ( my opinion)
shoot reloads an factory in it, both a-ok.
shooters preference , if you got confidence in your gear, itll do what you want.
aint minute of angle, but most things you plink are bigger than that, and usually closer than 300 m , so hitting it shouldnt be a problem .my opinion.
nuff said
 
First new rifle I ever owned was a Mini - still got it. As stated, ain't a tackdriver, but good for coyotes to 200, fun on gophers. Much handier to pack around (on horse or Quad ) than a AR.
My opinion.
 
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