Harmonic dampener.

[Oleson]

I have an old mini-14, with the thin barrel. (181)
If I shoot it with a 0,5 kg silencer on, I can hit a cd on 100 yards.
Which is plenty, I don't use it for birdhunting anyway.
But without the silencer, it get's worse. Much worse.
The spread gets up to about 12 inches...

So now my brother is making me a harmonic dampener out of steel.
The silencer is way to big, and it's blocking the iron sights...

Does anyone have any experience when it comes to making one of these?
Any tips/hints is much appreciated.



(I'm also trying to improve my language skills, so I won't be mad if you correct any spelling mistakes or bad grammar :wink: )

 

[cellar701]

I believe Gunblast has a nice article on the Mini-14 target with one of the harmonic dampeners installed (and pics).

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

Often times, something as simple as installing a flash suppressor can bring groups down.

Also, are you familiar with harmonic stabilizers such as MoRod and AccuStrut?

http://www.mo-rod.com/
http://www.accu-strut.com/index.html

 

[Oleson]

Yeah, I know about the accustrut. And I've talked to some here in Norway who thinks they're great. But I'm using an adjustable gas block, so the accustrut can't be used...

The HD my brother is making as we speak will be around 450 grams.
After initial testing the weight will be shaved off to see how light it can be.
Maybe it will end up as a flash suppressor 8)

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

If I remember right, aren't you guys up there in Norway almost urged to use silencers? I thought I talked to a guy many years ago who had suppressed a Marlin 45/70 and it sounded about like a car door closing. At least I think it was Norway.

Is there anyway to make a silencer that has a fuller (like a fuller on a medieval western sword) running along the top in order to be able to still use factory irons or do they have to be perfectly circular in construction? I 'spose you'd have to machine the baffles to match so maybe it'd be too much of a pain.....

Just random thoughts................

 

[Oleson]

1: No, we're not. Most old school hunters, like my '53-model dad, hates them. And that's only because they're "ugly".

2: Now there's something to bother my brother with! Someone must have tried this before, but the question is if it worked...

 

[Mobuck]

I have a fake suppressor threaded for the common AR barrel threads. It's solid aluminum and is actually just a barrel extension bored to slightly over bullet diameter. That might help you as you could adjust the weight to match your "can" by simply making the extension longer/shorter(start big and work down).
I couldn't see any difference in accuracy on a 11 1/2" Hbar AR but that barrel is much stiffer than a Mini 14.

 

[Oleson]

Holy threadsurrection, Batman!

Long time, no post, but finally, it's ready.
(No pics right now, maybe later.)

The harmonic dampener works like a charm.
A little over 1 inch in diameter, a little over 3 inches long, and it weighs 444 grams. (Stay with me, and resist the urge to make penis-jokes)
It brings the groups down to deer killing, about 2 inches. And that's with the useless (IMHO) original iron sights.

Which brings me to the next stage. This is the 181 series, so the only scope mount is the one attached to the side. My neck is not 15 inches long, so it's way to high...
Now I need to get replacement sights, or the scoutrail that attaches to the gasblock. Any opinions/tips/links/experiences? Changing the stock is not an option... I have searched around, and I have found some options. But this being the Ruger forum, I would really like to hear what you guys mean.

(I ditched the adjustable gas block btw. No matter the adjustement, it wouldn't cycle... Original block, six different loads in the magazine, worked like a charm :lol: )

As always, correction regarding grammar is welcome :wink:

 

[Oleson]

Holy threadsurrection, Batman!

Long time, no post, but finally, it's ready.
(No pics right now, maybe later.)

The harmonic dampener works like a charm.
A little over 1 inch in diameter, a little over 3 inches long, and it weighs 444 grams. (Stay with me, and resist the urge to make penis-jokes)
It brings the groups down to deer killing, about 2 inches. And that's with the useless (IMHO) original iron sights.

Which brings me to the next stage. This is the 181 series, so the only scope mount is the one attached to the side. My neck is not 15 inches long, so it's way to high...
Now I need to get replacement sights, or the scoutrail that attaches to the gasblock. Any opinions/tips/links/experiences? Changing the stock is not an option... I have searched around, and I have found some options. But this being the Ruger forum, I would really like to hear what you guys mean.

(I ditched the adjustable gas block btw. No matter the adjustement, it wouldn't cycle... Original block, six different loads in the magazine, worked like a charm :lol: )

As always, correction regarding grammar is welcome :wink:

 

[George Tucker]

A big thick rubber band around the barrel will surprice you, i seen a demo on a couple of bolt guns in the service, George.

 

[cellar701]

I use the S&K mount on my 181 series mini. I found a photo of it here:

http://www.galatiinternational.com/product/SK2265.html

It's a cantilever mounted unit attached to the rear sight attachment bracket (requires rear sight removal). I use weaver rings on mine - don't have any experience with the S&K supplied rings, but they are probably very good quality.

I am interested in hearing some more about your barrel weight / barrel harmonics adjuster. Seems like a lot of mass (nearly 1 lb American units) added to the rifle out there on the end of the barrel, but I see that was the weight of your silencer which you had success with earlier.

 

[Oleson]

The rifle is so short that the added weight is IMO unnoticeable...
A Mini is like a BB gun compared to everything else I have anyway. :lol:
But we're gonna shave off some steel from the dampener to see how low we can go.
Every gram counts when you're gonna carry the rifle trough thick birch all day...

Thank for the tip on the S&K mount, the best idea so far.