Looking at a mini 14

[stinky]

I have always had guns with a purpose. Now I want one to just plink with and maybe take a few yotes with it. I am trading in my sp-10 which I bought and never used and they have two mini's there. One used with a muzzle break and a weaver scope and a new one for around the same price. I like the idea of buying new especially with auto loaders. My real question is how accurate should I expect a mini to be and what can be done without dumping a bunch of $$$ into them for more accuracy?

 

[FOTIS]

.......... My real question is how accurate should I expect a mini to be .......

In a word? DON'T!

My experience with them is that in the accuracy department they absolutely suck! I have never ever seen one that shot under 3-4" at 100 yards.

Even some of the custom ones that cost over 1500 are only guaranteed to shoot 1.5" at best.

If you're an accuracy nut stay away, unless you like frustration..... :twisted:

 

[stinky]

That's a bummer. What do you feel is the downfall of them. I know there are a lot of .223's (not mini's) that shoot a lot better than that. I've read a lot about barrel whip and the gas system but i didn't know they were that bad.

 

[SakoSteve270wsm]

I have had 4 over the years 1 mini 14,2 ranch rifles,and 1 mini 30 had pretty much the same accuracy as POP.

 

[JD338]

stinky

If you are interested in a semi auto 223, take a look at the Bushmasters.
Remington is also comming out with the R15 (they bought Bushmaster).
They are tack drivers from what I have heard.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

I agree with JD.

AR15 of good quality.

 

[old #7]

+1 more on the AR-15.
There are countless ways to configure an AR-15. You can go from a tactical entry config to a match grade, free floating varminter in about 30 seconds. All you have to do is change the upper assembly and that involves pulling two pins and removing your sling.
http://www.bushmaster.com/

 

[cloverleaf]

Supposedly Ruger has new tooling for the ranch rifle to address the problem, but thats just somthing I read in a shooting rag. You have to get a new one to get the new tooling. Some of the BAR's are scary accurate. Friend has one in .270 thats a one hole shooter. Cant bring myself to buy a "black rifle" yet but thats probably good advice. CL

 

[stinky]

ok... so i've found a bushmaster xm-15 E2S.... I don't know anything about the AR or the XM but is there much of a difference? It also states that the top handle is not removeable. Is that a hang up???

 

[TScottW99]

If I ever save up enough money to get an AR I will be getting a Rock Rivers Predator.... http://www.rockriverarms.com/ I have shot several Rock Rivers AR-15 along with Bushmaster, Colt, Oly and the like. The Rock Rivers have really impressed me. Not military spec which most people want however they are accuracy spec. .75 MOA guarntee and the ones I have shot will do that and better.

 

[Big Squeeze]

Supposedly Ruger has new tooling for the ranch rifle to address the problem, but thats just somthing I read in a shooting rag. You have to get a new one to get the new tooling. Some of the BAR's are scary accurate. Friend has one in .270 thats a one hole shooter. Cant bring myself to buy a "black rifle" yet but thats probably good advice. CL

.........................YES! Cloverleaf is right! Ruger has re-designed, I believe last year, their ranch rifles for much better accuracy according to the articles and test reports I have read!

 

[Guest]

ok... so i've found a bushmaster xm-15 E2S.... I don't know anything about the AR or the XM but is there much of a difference? It also states that the top handle is not removeable. Is that a hang up???

The XM is just Bushmaster's model name for the AR
The A2 rear sight is nice, but not if you want a scope. Mounting a scope on top of the carry handle puts it way too high.
Find one with a removable carry handle (flattop).

Most all AR's are good quality. Stay away from Olympic, Hesse, Vulcan.

The options for AR's are limitless. How accurate do you want to go?

 

[SakoSteve270wsm]

Stay away from Olympic ? Have they gone down hill over the years ? I had one made back in the mid 90's that would shoot .250" groups with ease. :?

 

[trays7940]

Gotta agree with everyone else. I have had 2 mini 14's one given to me and one bought by me. Both stunk in accuracy. Why did I buy the second one? Well, I was told they had improved the model and made them to shoot better....yeah, right. Live and learn.

 

[RogueRiver]

I had a friend who had one, he thought it was great until, I showed him up at the 50 yd line with an old 1943 inland m1 carbine. I put 25 shots in about a 2.5 inch group at 50 yards he was lucky to have 5 shots in 2.5 inches, my carbine never jammed using LC surplus. his mini14 jammed 3 times. his heart was broken because he talked up the mini14 so much and he then realized it was not all he thought it was. He did sale it and end up buying an AR to plink w/.

 

[nomosendero]

I would not go the Mini route at all. I owned a couple & my friends owned several & they were never up to par. I know the new version is supposed to be an improvement, but I don't think it is in the cards for that rifle to compete with an AR, the AR is a better design for accuracy & the aftermarket accessories are abundant for the AR. Also, you can change uppers & clips & go for a 223 to 204, 6.8, 6.5 Grendel, etc.

I own a 24" Varmiter RRA & with it's 24" 1-8 twist 24" Wilson Match tube it kicks butt & as stated before, it has a 3/4" guar. Mine will place 5 60gr. V-Maxes under 1/2" & better yet with 77MK. I just don't think the Mini compares!!!

 

[Britz]

A couple friends have the mini 14's and they don't shoot accuratly at all.

I agree w/ the AR platform if you want accuracy. DPMS also makes a pretty darn good shooter. If you want to get a really accurate AR, get one that has a free floated barrel. DPMS's Panther Bull 24 goes for about $850. I don't have one, but I have seen them shoot and they are pretty good!