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Mini 14 Surprise #7178174 05/24/18 12:59 AM
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scottfromdallas Offline OP
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I bought this for nostalgia. One of my first rifles was Ruger Ranch rife and I've owned several over the years including a 6.8 SPC version that I still own. I wanted a blued 223 Ranch with with a 18.5" barrel and a nice stock. I bought one and ordered a Boyds Platinum Stock for it in walnut. I have a Boyds stock on the 6.8 SPC and I really like the feel and proportions. When I picked up the rifle I was surprised to see they are now stamped 5.56 Nato on the receiver. I mounted a Nitrex 1.5-5X32 compact scope which is the same thing as a Weaver Grand Slam. I checked the two stage trigger ant it broke at 7lbs. When I headed to the range I wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised.

I only shot at 50 yards the first time out but this target is 55 Nosler E Tip over 25 grains of TAC (left) and 55 Armageddon over 55 grains to TAC(right). Most ammo I tried shot about an inch at 50 yards.





This was a some fast shooting with various weights and loads I was trying to get rid of. Barrel was really hot but much better than I expected.



Here is the rifle.




Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178196 05/24/18 01:28 AM
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Nice


Originally Posted By: djones

Not sure if I'd call you a machine, but you are definitely a tool.
Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178308 05/24/18 04:30 AM
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That's a super nice rig, Scotty. I'm a little jealous. cheers


Originally Posted by KRoyal
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178310 05/24/18 04:39 AM
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Very nice rig cheers


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178321 05/24/18 05:02 AM
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(Cue A-team music)


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https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178331 05/24/18 05:31 AM
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Uncle has that in a full auto, it’s a frickin blast to shoot. Never shot a regular one


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178380 05/24/18 11:39 AM
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scottfromdallas Offline OP
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Thank guys. Here is a pic of the 6.8. I've always been intrigued by a maple stock so...


Last edited by scottfromdallas; 05/24/18 11:58 AM.


Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178431 05/24/18 12:35 PM
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colt45-90 Offline
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be interesting to see results at 100, had a couple, neither would shoot for chit


hold on Newt, we got a runaway
Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178443 05/24/18 12:51 PM
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Just traded one off for a side image fish finder that I had for two years and never fired it. Nice feeling little rifle though.


Originally Posted by bill oxner
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out.


Originally Posted by bill oxner
I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178456 05/24/18 01:06 PM
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Those look great, Scott! up


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178468 05/24/18 01:13 PM
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Those ain't Tikkas.
wtf


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178692 05/24/18 04:25 PM
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Great hog gun. Can you shave some lbs. off that trigger?


"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7178950 05/24/18 08:29 PM
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I think the trigger will lighten up. If not, I can send the trigger pack away and have it worked. I did that with the he 6.8 and it’s a 3.5 lb 2 stage.



Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: colt45-90] #7178999 05/24/18 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted By: colt45
be interesting to see results at 100, had a couple, neither would shoot for chit


Same here. I had one from the 70's. I know those had accuracy problems but I thought Ruger cleaned up the later versions. They were never meant to be paper punchers though. I wouldn't mind having another one.

That's a nice looking rifle, OP.

Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7179243 05/25/18 02:01 AM
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I've had probably 6 over the years and this latest one already is the most accurate. I lucked out. I didn't get any of your typical mini flyers the first time out.



Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7179306 05/25/18 02:59 AM
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Nice looking gun.


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7180030 05/25/18 08:25 PM
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I have owned and loved minis for years, I guess the Garand action, yep most were not tack drivers but a lot of fun to shoot. My newest is a series 581 Tactical I bought about 5 years ago. I've had a Redfield 2x7x33 on it before and shot 2"groups, not too bad. Got it open sights now, fixin to put a Vortex Strike Eagle on it next in 1x6x24...my 64 year old eyes still cant get used to the reticles it has, guess will try shooting with both eyes open.


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7180032 05/25/18 08:28 PM
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I love em too. But I sold mine because it wouldn’t shoot.


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: texaspatriot.308] #7180362 05/26/18 03:26 AM
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Originally Posted By: texaspatriot.308
I have owned and loved minis for years, I guess the Garand action, yep most were not tack drivers but a lot of fun to shoot. My newest is a series 581 Tactical I bought about 5 years ago. I've had a Redfield 2x7x33 on it before and shot 2"groups, not too bad. Got it open sights now, fixin to put a Vortex Strike Eagle on it next in 1x6x24...my 64 year old eyes still cant get used to the reticles it has, guess will try shooting with both eyes open.


Hell thats good enough for 99.9% of shooters.

Oops, I forgot... everybody here shoots 1/16 MOA with their custom bolt rig.


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7180455 05/26/18 11:46 AM
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Tactical Cowboy,

You are correct about expectations. Even with the latest series that supposedly addressed a lot of the accuracy issues, the design of the mini 14 isn't going to allow it to be a tack driver. When I bought it, I was just looking for about 2-3 MOA. It's perfect for coyote and pig patrol on my 40 acres in East Texas that is 75% mature hard woods. Shots are rarely over 50 yards and Ranch Rifle is light, compact, reliable and easy to carry.

Last edited by scottfromdallas; 05/26/18 11:48 AM.


Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7181065 05/27/18 12:52 PM
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Minis have been way better accuracy wise for a good while and they've been OK with 5.56 pressure for a long time.

Speaking of pressure....that "55 Armageddon over 55 grains to TAC" load sounds pretty warm. hammer


Pass the gravy.


Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: GasGuzzler] #7181159 05/27/18 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted By: GasGuzzler


Speaking of pressure....that "55 Armageddon over 55 grains to TAC" load sounds pretty warm. hammer


oops. Yes, it was 25 grains of TAC. bang



Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7265487 08/23/18 07:11 PM
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scottfromdallas Offline OP
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Took the Mini out today. It was wearing a Nitrex 1.5-4.5X.

Shot this group at 100 yards with Federal T556TNB1 ammo which is a 62 grain OTM with solid base. Supposed to have really great terminal performance. I've never had a Mini 14 do this. The trigger is wearing in and it's down to about 6 lbs.




Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7265508 08/23/18 07:46 PM
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Even at 6 pounds, surely there’s something that can be done, unless you’re not comfortable doing so. Maybe just a clean/polish/lube?


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Re: Mini 14 Surprise [Re: scottfromdallas] #7265517 08/23/18 07:53 PM
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Looks like it’s shooting pretty good. I’d definitely have some work done to the trigger.


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