Mini 14 questions...

[alank2]

Hi Everyone,

I'm thinking about buying a new series Mini 14 for range fun and plinking. I likely won't be shooting at past 50Y unless I want to try 100Y once in a great while. I am a reloader and have some questions:

1. The Mini sure takes a beating in forums, is this mostly because of accuracy issues? I don't know much about rifles, but it looks like a small scaled down M1A which seems to have a following like no other. I guess I am surprised the Mini is more liked.

2. From what I have read, the Mini throws brass pretty far. I saw some stuff about possibly changing the gas bushing and/or using a wolff stronger recoil spring to slow down brass a bit. It this easy to do? Will the brass be beat up less and more likely reloadable if it is ejected slower?

3. How easy is it to load for 223? I'm used to load pistol cartridges. Is it worth loading for or is 223 reasonable enough to just buy?

Thanks,

Alan

 

[mattsbox99]

People hate the Mini because its so reliable and way cheaper than their $2k gadgets...

Yep, it tosses brass. ASI makes a tunable block or bushings you can install to reduce the distance. The block allows you to completely shut off gas flow for use with a suppressor too. My brass was often dinged right on the case mouth so I had to be careful. The tunable block is pretty awesome though and I have no problems with the brass now.

.223 and most rifle cartridges are easier to load than pistol cartridges since you don't have a crimp to mess with. Military brass is often crimped so you'll need to ream or swage the pockets unless you use regular .223. I prefer ball powders since they meter well and don't bridge like stick powders.

 

[alank2]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the reply.

So you have the tunable block? Was it easy to install? How far does your brass travel with it configured the way you like?

Do you use case lube when loading the 223's?

Thanks,

Alan

 

[mattsbox99]

Yea I have the tunable block. I can get them to drop at my feet if I want, but I usually have it set for a few feet out for optimum reliability. Its adjustable with just an allen wrench. Its a pretty easy install as it just clamps on like the factory one. It looks really good and works very well.

http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/mini_14_30_accessories.php


Rifle cartridges do require case lube and autoloaders need to be full length sized, although the Mini doesn't require small base dies. I like Imperial Die Wax. One tin lasts about 20 years and its less than $10.

 

[gatling]

People on forums criticize everything, unless it's something they've recently purchased (by definition, those purchases are incredibly wise moves on their part).

Ignore the uninformed anti-Mini-14 drivel you read in some forums. People do that stuff to puff themselves up; the reality is that most don't know what they are talking about.

I've got two Mini 14s and they are great guns. A couple of friends have them, too, and a day at the range with my buddies shooting at the 275-yard gongs offhand is grand fun. With iron sights, no slings, and shooting from the standing position, we connect with those 275-yard steel plates with about 75% of our shots. And when we miss, it's so close to the plate we can't tell where we were off...the dirt flies up directly behind the target. At 100 yards shooting offhand at steel plates, it's rare that we miss.

Infrequent failures to feed may occur the first time you shoot your new Mini 14; after putting a few rounds down the bore and cleaning the rifle for the first time, you may never have another failure to feed as long as you use Ruger magazines (stay away from the aftermarket stuff; it's mostly junk). One of my Mini 14 rifles is completely stock; the other has a muzzle brake because I had to remove the flash suppressor to get it into the Peoples Republik of California. Both of these rifles are absolutely reliable and, as indicated above, more than accurate enough for government work. Speaking of which, my bet is that if the Mini 14 had come to market a decade or two earlier, there would have never been an M-16.

I've seen what the 5.56 round will do to living flesh up close. Believe me, unless your hunting animals that bite back, it's more than up to the job. It's a dynamite little round.

Flying brass has never been a problem for me.

As mentioned above, reloading this cartridge is a slam dunk, with the added advantage that brass is cheap, bullets are cheap, and powder charges are half or less of what you'd use in a big bore. In other words, it's cheap to reload. I have a lot of .223 brass; if you need some to get started, PM me and for the postage I'll send you some.

 

[BB Rvlr]

I had an AR that constantly failed to eject and had stuck cases with a variety of ammunition; even after being given a clean bill of health from a gunsmith. I sold it (at a loss of course) and bought a SS Mini-14 tactical.

I did experience the reliability problems that gatling mention when mine was new but after a cleaning and lengthy shooting session they disappeared and it is 100% reliable now even with some 15yo generic 40 round mags I had stashed away.

Sorry to use this old cliche but it is minute of tin can (or bad guy) accurate and that is what I was wanted it for.

I haven't reloaded the .223 yet but it is on my to-do list.

 

[gatling]

I did experience the reliability problems that gatling mention when mine was new but after a cleaning and lengthy shooting session they disappeared and it is 100% reliable now...

I understand even the mighty M-1 Garand, the greatest battle weapon ever devised, behaved the same way.

 

[alank2]

Hi,

Thanks everyone for the good advice and info. I'm thinking real seriously of ordering a mini 14 tactical from CDNN. I appreciate the offer of brass gatling, very kind of you.

Thanks!!

Alan

 

[Ferdinand]

I've owned two Mini-14's, sold both, but will likely have another one someday. Mine were from older vintages than the OP's. On the one that I bought new around 1994, I actually glass-bedded the steel liner and portions of the receiver. Shooting 69gr BTHP's, it was good for about an inch and a half, plus or minus. I cripmped my ammo to avoid projectiles getting set back during recoil.

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

I'd take a Mini over an AR any day. That includes the Mini Thirty, which I probably shoot more than anything else that I own. I have a tendency to shorten mine to have a 16.5" overall length barrel, including the permanently installed Choate flash hider.

 

[robertkirksey]

Hell fire! If you won't be shooting past 50 yards, just use a pistol!

 

[martyj]

They work well and are reliable. Police around here carry them and they have more to loose than we do at the range.

 

[Flouncer]

Maybe some motivational words please.

I am trying to get a virtually new 1980's mini-14 to shoot. It won't. It is a stainless with walnut stock, less than 100 rounds total. Two previous attempts to shoot it have resulted in abject failure. Failure to feed, eject, even cycle ammo. I have never been as disappointed with a weapon as this, never. My brother inherited it and left it with me, and it's worth $400 - $500 to someone, but certainly not me. Having shot Mauser bolts and reloaded thousands of rounds for 15 years without a single misfire, jam or any kind of failure, this weapon seems to be a total disaster. As it came from the factory, it was off a 11x17 inch paper at 25 yards.

We examined it closely this AM, added 3-4 drops of action oil, synthetic lubricant, and it cycled much easier, so I was foolishly optimistic. We went over the routine of engaging the front of the mag into the action, then snapping it back into place with a good force. 50% of the time it doesn't latch. We also bought two boxes of HSM 55 grain FMJ. Fat chance.

Shooting, it wont feed, fire or eject. We finally carefully, really carefully stacked 5 rounds in the factory Ruger steel 10-round mag and those all went off, but that was the last time. Couldn't even get the bolt to strip a round in.

Frustrated, I tried to single load a round into the chamber and CLICK that wouldn't even shoot. I was too pissed to think of looking for a primer strike, I flipped into the forest duff.

I am ready to take this POS out and just hammer it death because it deserves to die, I swear to god. Having shot Ruger pistols and many brands of bolt guns and semi auto .22's, this thing is a mystery to me. Thank god I haven't had to depend on it.

Do I simply have a bad magazine ?? If so, is there a recommendation ?

Thanks !!

 

[Major T]

We once obtained a GB-20 Mini 14 from Ruger for testing. We put thousands of rounds through it (often 2000 + or - a few) in one day without cleaning until the day's end. We subjected it to a good bit of rapid fire in so doing. I never bore scoped the barrel, but it had to be cooked after something over 20,000 rounds. After all this, I scoped the little gun and still got 2" groups @100 yds. If it had been bedded, it likely would have done better as it really printed groups of about 1" they just shifted slightly from time to time. Based on this testing, my agency purchased well over 1000 of these units in blue steel. Stainless had not been introduced at the time. The only people that had function trouble with them did not clean them after use and sometimes condensation in the gas system allowed rust to form. These same folks needed motivation to keep their 870s and 28s rust free also. More"hard ass" sergeants (defined as those who required operating protocol to be adhered to) would have almost totally eliminated the problem. IMO, the Mini-14 is one tough nut and generally gets a bum rap on accuracy. I am about to purchase a new SS Ranch and expect it to do the job. No, I do not expect it to be a 350 yd prairie dog gun, but it just might hit some at that distance and scare hell out of the rest. For around $600 real world pricing, they are a good buy IMO, Jack

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Maybe some motivational words please.

Trade that gun to somebody that has the patience to get it running and get yourself some gun that you like. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[SteelShooter]

Flouncer,

Rather than waste anymore time or money on this, how about giving Ruger customer Service a call over in Newport, NH.

Send the gun back to them, if they can not make it right, they'll offer you an alternative (replace it or credit on a new one perhaps), generally it seems they can fix it unless the parts are not available for it.

I've had both things happen to me, but in the end, I've been happy with the results and continue to buy Rugers and happily shoot them.

So give them a call and end your misery and end up with a gun you can shoot and do so enjoyably!

 

[welder]

Humm, that must be one sorry Mini. I have a 197 series that just yesterday I put another 80 rounds through to test my new buffers. Perfect function and was hitting 6" steel at 80 yards easily. Yes I know it was not "AR" accurate or bolt gun beautiful so save the replies. I do own AR's, Colt HBAR, Stag A1 etc. and have for years. Big deal. I like the Mini and it goes to the range every time I go. It is fun, robust and easy to maintain. It is standing in the corner of my living room as I type. It has never failed with Ruger mags or any ammo I have put in it.

 

[Flouncer]

Thank you for the considerate replies, even though I obviously posted in anger.

Regarding the above, and a PM I received........ Thank you !!

Other Mini-14's have shot thousands of rounds without cleaning. Without fail.

This is a new Mini, but upon inspection, it does NOT HAVE a Ruger factory Mag. However, being under 100 rounds, it shouldn't need any anything. That is my opinion.

Simplest easiest thing to do is secure a new Ruger Calif legal 10-round and try that.

Not bad mouthing Ruger, just torqued that this baby doesn't shoot. I'll post back in a week or so when I get my mag, and some time.

 

[welder]

Change your mag and watch your problem go away. I was new to Mini's once and today I would not let a non Ruger mag near mine :wink: Good luck with yours, the thing will grow on ya.

 

[oregon73]

Change your mag and watch your problem go away. I was new to Mini's once and today I would not let a non Ruger mag near mine :wink: Good luck with yours, the thing will grow on ya.

I agree. Get a factory 5- or 20-round mag in that gun and I bet that fixes your problem. Good luck and happy shooting!

Rob

 

[steenroller]

I agree. I have not found a non factory mag that works close to the Ruger factory mags. I have a Mini I bought 22 years ago that I will not get rid of. I don't shoot it as often as my ARs but I still like it and it has always shot well. Not as accurate as some of the ARs but accurate enough and reliable enough that I would trust for hunting or home defense. I prefer the AR but I am not going to fault anybody for preferring the Mini.

 

[Flouncer]

Just returned from Cabelas, Verdi, Nv with a a new 10-round ProMag. The counter help there assured me it would work fine, they have had no returns or complaints. Even though they are a Ruger dealer, they do not carry Ruger Tm factory Mini-14 mags...... ??

So, just put 50 through it. Learned a couple of things.

You have to let the bolt/rack snap back or slam full force when you feed the initial round. Otherwise, no worky.

Second, the crappy mags that came with the weapon were the problem. So, other than 3 fail to feed, my fault, which the rangemaster caught and helped with, it loads, fires ejects and loads flawlessly.

Third. It's fun to shoot. I like flinging brass around and the fact that the weapon returns to POA real easy, almost no recoil.

Ruger happy now. You have to understand your weapon.

Uh, all my bolt guns you clean from the breech. What is the best procedure to clean this little fellah ?

Thanks !!!