Mini 14 accuracy HELP please

[Tommy Kelly]

I like rugers but never have really done much with a mini 14. My son in law bought one a while back and it won't group. He has tried several different brands of ammo and had the barrel recrowned trying to get it better. Is there a fix for accuracy that I can try that will improve the accuracy of the rifle.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Hello,

What are the first three numbers of the serial number?

Will it produce a two inch group at 50 yards?

Can you message me a picture of rifle? I want to get a look at the sights.

Bill

 

[DGW1949]

The basics are Barrel, Bedding, Bullets....it's about that simple.
First thing I'd do is remove the trigger group and see how much slop there is where the reciever sits-down into the stock. Odds are that it needs bedded....then I'd check the barrel crown real close. After that, insure that the sighting system is solid.
My experience with Ruger's Mini says that just addressing those things will often cut the group size in half. Plus, they are cheap to do.

Also know that no rifle will group any better than than the ammo it is using.
That said though, I've found it better to stick with one brand (and lot) of ammo while addressing accuracy issues. That way, I have one known constant while I'm getting my rifle shaped-up.

Hope this helps.

DGW

 

[SteelShooter]

Guess the big question is what kind of accuracy are you expecting, what kind of ammo was used, what distance, sights, conditions and number of shots.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Will it produce a two inch group at 50 yards?

Hi,

Bill's comment caught my eye...

I dunno much about which Minis are what as to changes that may make them a bit better in the accuracy dept. But my BIL has a fairly recent one (last five years?), stainless, and he's pretty persistent about working up "the most acccurate for this rifle" kinds of loads. At the same time, though, he's not big on bedding or other popular and often effective fixes.

Once in a while, he can put together a 2" group (3 shot) at 100 yds w/ it, but in general, 3-4 inches is "normal." That's minute of coyote at that range, which is kinda the accuracy level I think Ruger had in mind when they came up w/ the name "Ranch Rifle" back when. A lot of guys I know like 55 gr bullets, but he's had better luck w/ 62s. Patience is a good thing, too: it can take a while to find "the best."

Good luck!

Rick C

 

[Melting]

Look here

http://www.greatwestgunsmithing.com/mini14.htm

And here

http://www.mini14ranch.com/

Handloads can also be helpful if you are willing to experiment til you get it right.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Two inches at 50 yards is the pass or fail standard for the Mini's I work with.

All will do at least that and some group very nice at that range.

If the rifle will not provide 2 inches at 50 yards, it is going back to Ruger for evaluation.

Some range rifles with very high round count will struggle to achieve 2 inches.

My 580's, 581, and 582's are the best with some groups touching at 50.

Not bad for the Mini.

My best results come from 55 grain ammunition.

 

[krw]

I have had a lot of Mini's in the last 30+ yrs. If you want a Mini, fine buy one and put it up. They will not compare with the AR platform in any way possible. And currently Mini's are valued higher than most entry level AR's. Anything a Mini will do, AR's will do better cheaper.

 

[clayflingythingy]

I have had a lot of Mini's in the last 30+ yrs. If you want a Mini, fine buy one and put it up. They will not compare with the AR platform in any way possible. And currently Mini's are valued higher than most entry level AR's. Anything a Mini will do, AR's will do better cheaper.

A Mini 14 would be a good $400 rifle. At its current pricing it does not compare favorably with entry level AR's. The day of the Mini has passed IMHO.

ETA: Got distracted and hit submit.

As to accuracy, the Mini is not generally known for it, altho newer models are supposed to be OK. Most of the Mini's I have seen over the years are no better than an AK47, grouping wise, which translates as 4 - 6 inches @ 100.

 

[DGW1949]

I have had a lot of Mini's in the last 30+ yrs. If you want a Mini, fine buy one and put it up. They will not compare with the AR platform in any way possible. And currently Mini's are valued higher than most entry level AR's. Anything a Mini will do, AR's will do better cheaper.

A Mini 14 would be a good $400 rifle. At its current pricing it does not compare favorably with entry level AR's. The day of the Mini has passed IMHO.

ETA: Got distracted and hit submit.

As to accuracy, the Mini is not generally known for it, altho newer models are supposed to be OK. Most of the Mini's I have seen over the years are no better than an AK47, grouping wise, which translates as 4 - 6 inches @ 100.

OK.....now that we've got all that out of the way, got anything to add to the guestion at hand?

DGW

 

[krw]

Sure! There is a place in TX you can send them too, drop about $800 on top of what the Mini cost and You can have one that will shoot. That why they make Chocolate and Vanilla milkshakes, get what You want.

 

[clayflingythingy]

I have had a lot of Mini's in the last 30+ yrs. If you want a Mini, fine buy one and put it up. They will not compare with the AR platform in any way possible. And currently Mini's are valued higher than most entry level AR's. Anything a Mini will do, AR's will do better cheaper.

A Mini 14 would be a good $400 rifle. At its current pricing it does not compare favorably with entry level AR's. The day of the Mini has passed IMHO.

ETA: Got distracted and hit submit.

As to accuracy, the Mini is not generally known for it, altho newer models are supposed to be OK. Most of the Mini's I have seen over the years are no better than an AK47, grouping wise, which translates as 4 - 6 inches @ 100.

OK.....now that we've got all that out of the way, got anything to add to the guestion at hand?

DGW

The answer to the question is the OP is asking for something the gun probably cannot deliver.

 

[DGW1949]

I have had a lot of Mini's in the last 30+ yrs. If you want a Mini, fine buy one and put it up. They will not compare with the AR platform in any way possible. And currently Mini's are valued higher than most entry level AR's. Anything a Mini will do, AR's will do better cheaper.

A Mini 14 would be a good $400 rifle. At its current pricing it does not compare favorably with entry level AR's. The day of the Mini has passed IMHO.

ETA: Got distracted and hit submit.

As to accuracy, the Mini is not generally known for it, altho newer models are supposed to be OK. Most of the Mini's I have seen over the years are no better than an AK47, grouping wise, which translates as 4 - 6 inches @ 100.

The answer to the question is the OP is asking for something the gun probably cannot deliver.

Actualy what the OP said was "won't group".
Actualy, what he was asking for was suggestions that "will improve the accuracy of the rifle".
Actualy, the answer to his question will probably be found somewhere within my first post. Or perhaps I should say "answers"(as-in plural).....because most Mini's have common problems which stem from a lack of factory craftsmanship. The big two are sloppy bedding and barrel-related issues.....You know, the "barrel" and "bedding" part that I already mentioned?
Other than matching the correct range of bullet weight/length/velocity to the barrel twist his particular Mini has, the "bullet" part that I mentioned has little to do with the gun itself. That said though, once he gets the gun shaped-up, it'll show inprovement with any given ammo. Hence my suggestion to leave that part for last....which BTW, is opposite of how the problem had been previously addressed.

Basic stuff realy....it aint rocket science.
Thing is though, when a guy don't know, he don't know.
Apparently, the OP didn't know, so he was asking for help.....not discouragement.
As for the AR comments that these types of threads almost invaribly attract.....I just dismiss them out of hand, 'cause it's almost like sayin' that ya like oranges during an apple pie discussion. :lol: .

Go in peace.

DGW

 

[instructor]

Don't know the vintage of your Mini, but if it an older one w/ 7 twist barrel it will not like/group the light bullets, 55gr, very well. Would get better performance wise with heavier bullets as in 62-77gr. Have no personal experience but am told the "struts" that can be purchased for both older series as well as newest series does improve accuracy to a degree. Something over $100.00 for one. Check out Sunflower Sports web site for video and explanation as to how they install and perform. I have had few of them over the years and only recently purchased a 185 Series, Factory Folder Mini14/S.S and 7 twist barrel and from the bench it will deliver 2" 5 shot groups at 100yds. from bench/bag w/reloads. Replaced original rear sight with Tech Sight and works fine.
Have not tried the strut unit yet, but most likely will come this Spring to see if it helps any, but actually I am satisfied with how it is doing. As mentioned would give some attention to the crown, I did mine, and it helped.
I keep mine in the saddle bag of my Harley and it is just fine for that duty.
PS Understand that the TAPCO Gen. II magazines work fine for these rifles and lot less expensive than factory.

 

[JNewell]

Hello,

What are the first three numbers of the serial number?

Will it produce a two inch group at 50 yards?

Can you message me a picture of rifle? I want to get a look at the sights.

Bill

This is the question. I have had quite a few Minis. The old ones never shot well and some were horrible. The new ones do OK and absolutely should be 2" or less at 50 yards.

 

[Ferdinand]

I didn't pay attention to the serial number so I don't remember it. However, I bought a stainless Mini new around 1994. It had a wood stock. I never knew what the twist rate was. I had the trigger improved by a competent gunsmith. I bedded the action myself. I found that 69 grain BTHPs over 748 could deliver groups of 1.5 inches or maybe a little better, until the barrel heated up (10 shots or so within a couple minutes).

I have a Spike's Tactical AR, which is a great rifle. I still love the look and feel of a Mini and plan to buy another soon.

 

[instructor]

From reports I read the strut system is supposed to help on the barrel heating up and throwing shots. If you look at one it locks solidly onto the gas block, and then comes forward some 5-7" and locks onto barrel itself.
If it truly does what they claim, it's not a bad investment if for your Mini 14 of whatever vintage.

 

[Jmurph]

This post could have been written for me... Same exact problem. Bought the gun new last week and 6" at 100 is the best it will do.. I sent it back to ruger today.

 

[6mm]

Mini's can run all over the board. I haven't tried any of the new style, but on the older ones, it depends on the gun.
The worse Mini I have ever owned won't stay in a 10" circle at 100 meters. The best one I ever had was an early SS Ranch that would keep into 2" at 100 meters, with good ammo, 4" with Lake City surplus. Would still have it, but had to sell do to divorce, at least I got rid of her too. My current Mini is a 1987 Rifle, I have put a red dot with a scout mount, and with Hornady Z max, I average 3" groups at 100 meters and with surplus 55gr will usually average about 4".

I have learned a long time ago the Minute of Coffee Can is about the average for a Mini14. In the over 30 years of having Mini's, I cannot ever recall a failure with one of mine. I can not say that about an AR-15.

 

[Quadsport]

If it makes you feel any better, I have not seen a AR with skinny 18'' barrel shoot much better than the 580 series Ranch. Mine was about a 3'' off bipod and 2'' after adding the Accu-Strut. If I need more accuracy, I have bolt rifles for that. We shoot AR500 plates in the back yard for fun. 6'' plates at 150 yards are not a problem with Hornady ammo.

 

[Rabon]

If it makes you feel any better, I have not seen a AR with skinny 18'' barrel shoot much better than the 580 series Ranch. Mine was about a 3'' off bipod and 2'' after adding the Accu-Strut. If I need more accuracy, I have bolt rifles for that. We shoot AR500 plates in the back yard for fun. 6'' plates at 150 yards are not a problem with Hornady ammo.

Are you sure those were ARs and not Romanian AK 47s ? :lol:

 

[Quadsport]

If it makes you feel any better, I have not seen a AR with skinny 18'' barrel shoot much better than the 580 series Ranch. Mine was about a 3'' off bipod and 2'' after adding the Accu-Strut. If I need more accuracy, I have bolt rifles for that. We shoot AR500 plates in the back yard for fun. 6'' plates at 150 yards are not a problem with Hornady ammo.

Are you sure those were ARs and not Romanian AK 47s ? :lol:

Very sure! I have found that there are a lot of folks that claim MOA that can't back it up. Minis and AR's are not target rifles. Now if you spend the money for target barrels and ammo, another story.

 

[sebtool]

FWIW, I acquired an old 180 series Mini 14 in the early '90's, supposedly the worst of the worst, as far as accuracy goes. (I didn't know that back then, go figger! :lol: ) Owner said it didn't shoot worth a darn, and it didn't! Turns out all he shot out of it was the cheap Norinco crap available back then, and wasn't much on cleaning it.... :roll: After about 3 days of off and on scrubbing and soaking, a little light stone work, she'll do 1-1/2 MOA if the shooter's up for it.

I actually shot a couple of high power rifle matches with it, and stayed fairly competitive, all things considering. Until the 600 yd line at the last 1, where the durn shooter couldn't seem to get his sights up on target. :? A spotting scope would have helped, definitely not in the budget, tho. Plus, I had never shot it at that distance before, and was guessing. Kinda funny how the guys with the fancy a$$ ARs wouldn't say anything to the young guy there by himself back then....

I just picked up a 582 series Mini in .223, and have been playing with 1 in 6.8 for a little bit. Lack of ammo and components, as well as time has been a factor, but I've been squirreling some 6.8 shtuff away. Hopefully this summer when work's slow again I can get a handle on how good the 6.8 and the new .223 will do. I got the new .223 because the old eyes aren't quite what they used to be, and mounting a scope on the 180 isn't a great option. Besides, my son's got his eye on my old 180! :lol:

Not into the AR platform, played with it years back, didn't care for it. I like the Minis. There's a lot of good advice on here. Stick it out and you'll have a sweet handling and shooting rifle in short order!

 

[mtwarych]

I did not read if the OP reloads or not.
Agreeing with idea that 62 grn slugs shot better for me and being able to reload, I worked loads for the mini, never achieving a 1 hole group at 100 yds, but I got good grouping with a little less than max load of CFE223 and 60 gr flat base zmax bullets. I believe the mini will tune if one is willing to try.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

Well the son in law fixed his mini 14 at the next gunshow he traded it off and came home with a S&W ar15 it shoots to suit him so all is well. The mini was bought new after christmas so it was a brand new rifle. The way he explained it to me the rifle wouldn't stay on a 8" paper plate at 50 yds and he tried 5 different types of ammo from cheap military to top quality commercial ammo and all was about the same from the gun. He had a gunsmith recrown the rifle but no help at all. I think his main problem was I had bought a ar that shoots fairly good groups in my opinion. It will hover around 2" at 100 with cheap import ammo and with my reloads it will almost cut that group in half to just over 1" most of the time. Like I say I'm satisfyed with my cheap AR style rifle and it's accuracy. I have bolt guns that will well outshoot the ar but for what I plan on using the ar for it's fine.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

Well the son in law fixed his mini 14 at the next gunshow he traded it off and came home with a S&W ar15 it shoots to suit him so all is well. The mini was bought new after christmas so it was a brand new rifle. The way he explained it to me the rifle wouldn't stay on a 8" paper plate at 50 yds and he tried 5 different types of ammo from cheap military to top quality commercial ammo and all was about the same from the gun. He had a gunsmith recrown the rifle but no help at all. I think his main problem was I had bought a ar that shoots fairly good groups in my opinion. It will hover around 2" at 100 with cheap import ammo and with my reloads it will almost cut that group in half to just over 1" most of the time. Like I say I'm satisfyed with my cheap AR style rifle and it's accuracy. I have bolt guns that will well outshoot the ar but for what I plan on using the ar for it's fine.

 

[DGW1949]

16 MOA is perty-bad. Actualy, that's worse than any new rifle that I've ever heard of. I suspect that Ruger woulda liked to have gotten that one back. They're real good about either fixing problems, or replacing a gun that is beyond fixing.
On the other hand...if the AR bug had already bitten, a Mini-14 just won't do.

DGW

 

[hickoryhillbill]

I have a 183 which started out in the 6 in group range. I bought a True Shot Tech. strut and it started to give 3 in groups. Bedded the wood stock and with handloads it is now 1in + or - . My new 582 Mini 30 is accurate right out of the box. Including the strut, spent less than $75 getting the 183 right. I am a very satisfied mini owner.Just takes patience and asking others their experiences. Good luck and have fun :D