Mini 14 Surprise

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.

Nice

That's a super nice rig, Scotty. I'm a little jealous.

Very nice rig

(Cue A-team music)

Uncle has that in a full auto, it’s a frickin blast to shoot. Never shot a regular one

Thank guys. Here is a pic of the 6.8. I've always been intrigued by a maple stock so...

be interesting to see results at 100, had a couple, neither would shoot for chit

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.

Those look great, Scott!

Those ain't Tikkas.

Great hog gun. Can you shave some lbs. off that trigger?

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.

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.

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.

Nice looking gun.

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.

I love em too. But I sold mine because it wouldn’t shoot.

Hell thats good enough for 99.9% of shooters.

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

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.

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.

oops. Yes, it was 25 grains of TAC.

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.

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?

Looks like it’s shooting pretty good. I’d definitely have some work done to the trigger.

Nice looking rifles and that target looks really good for a Mini at 100.

My Uncle had a Mini that was darned accurate.
My brother had 2 blue ones and I had a blue and a stainless and none of them shot better than 3+ inches at 100.
They were older models though and the blue one I had was really loose.

It doesn't bother me at all. I bought it to use as a ranch rifle for busting a coyote or a hog while working on my place in East Texas. I have the Mini 14 and a Ruger 1911 with 255 grain hard casts on the hip.

Funny story on a Mini 14. A guy I knew was in love with his Mini 14. He tried all kinds of ammo, and they all shot about 3"-4" groups at 100. So he was telling us how much money he was going to spend on it to "accurize" it. In a group setting, I mumbled "you can gold plate a terd, but underneath it's still a terd." We all thought it was funny, except for him. Man, did he get mad!!! I think of this every time someone mentions a Mini 14.

I have a 6.8 Mini like that. Looks cool but it's maddening.

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I like the minis. I had one that shot about like the pics above. 1 1/2" or so at 100. Wished i had it back. Always preferred the handling of the minis to ARs adn such

I still have my Dad's Mini 30. I take it out every year to try to shoot one deer for him. I did have it accurized but didn't spend a ton of money. I sent it to a guy in Wyoming that has since retired. He worked on the trigger and action. Now I'm getting the itch to take it out...

Sweet rifle!