Most Accurate Mini 14 or 30?

[Black Fly]

Yeah, Yeah, I know that most of them are not Camp Perry match rifles, but they are fun. A few years ago I had one that was pretty accurate, but I got all caught up in another shiny object and sold it. My bad! I've got a number of guns for sale and am considering adding a mini to the safe when they sell. So if you were looking for one, what features would you pick, excluding the target model? I'm more interested in a field and fun gun.
Bfly

 

[DGW1949]

Me myself, I picked the basic (buled 'n wood) Mini-14 Ranch Rifle for two reasons;
(1). I'm not a big fan of small-bore/super-velocity rifles....but for my intended uses, I can "make do" with the .223/.5.56 cartridge much better than I could make-do with what I consider to be a rather-crappy 7.62X39 ammo situation.
(2). The basic Ranch Rifle is as cheap as a new Mini gets. Yeah, one can pay extra and get more features...but when ya get down to it, most of them are mostly for the tacticool guys, not for old farts like me. Heck, I'm quite-used to my 13 pound, M1 match rifle....so no one will ever convince me that a standard-sized Mini needs trimmed-down in length, or needs lightened with plastic stock, and what's a guy like me (who doesn't even own a scope) need with a shorten sight radius, a flash hider, or a rail to mount accessories on?

But that's just me.

To address the question possed in the title of your thread;
Back in "skinny barrel" days, I found that most Mini-30's were more accurate than most Mini-14's when both were being used with high quality ammo. That said though, I have not used a new "tapered barrel mini-30, so I don't if that is still the case.
What I do know is that my (582 series) Mini-14 can be counted on to hold a 2-1/2" group with M193 ball ammo, which is a dern-sight better than any of the older Mini-14's that I've used would do.

Hope this helped.

DGW

 

[Black Fly]

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm leaning toward a 581 series that Davidsons did a run of a few years ago in stainless and green laminate in 223, but I'm not locked in stone on that. From what I've read on the internet, where they can only post it if it's true, it seems that most folks have had better luck with the thicker barrel. I'm just curious if there is a model or a combination of features that seems to give a bit better edge in the luck of the draw for accuracy.
Since I've had a lot of tang safeties and never had a poor shooter, and my last Mini was almost MOA with the right ammo, maybe I should just go for the lucky pick.
Bfly

 

[gramps]

I had a mini-30. I am totally unimpressed with it. I thought carbines were supposed to be light, and easy to use in brushy areas. Accuracy was only so so Mine was heavy and cumbersome, not to mention the rocking motion needed to get the magazine into place. I have since had an original Texas assault rifle-a lever action, and it was everything the mini wasn't. Light, and easy into action. Good luck.
gramps

 

[blume357]

The newer mini's are much better.... supposedly to the same standard of accurancy as most AR's .... If I had one I would find the right ammo for it. I have older mini's.... two of each and out of each of those one shoots pretty good up to 100 yards and the other is pretty poor....

 

[DGW1949]

A couple of more thoughts;
As accuracy goes, your idea of going for a laminate stock surely can't hurt.
If hunting is to be a part of your "field" use, your local laws may dictate which caliber can be used to hunt what....and for good reason. I remember the first deer that I ever saw in Pennsylvainia. It was a big doe which was grazing on the side of the interstate about 60 yds up the road. When I saw first her, my immeadiate thought was that somebody's cow had got out. :lol: ......

.....might be a bit much for a varmit caliber. Just sayin'.

DGW

 

[Black Fly]

We can get some big deer here in PA. I've shot a number that weighed over 175 lbs dressed. We can't use a semi rifle for anything but paper in PA, not even a 22LR for squirrels. I have friends who use 22 caliber center fires for deer here, but I don't. That's a personal choice. I have better choices. I might hunt with the mini in other states, mostly just an occasional thing for a coyote, bobcat or fox.
Bfly

 

[Nomosendero]

I tried several, but later I decided I wanted really good accuracy & that lead me away from the Mini. I know the question is which Mini & I understand that so I will leave it at that unless you decide you are really after consistant accuracy. If so I will comment further.
Good luck in your quest.

 

[Major T]

I bought the newer tapered barrel model in stainless and synthetic, because it goes on a Kawasaki Mule. All that steel is not friendly to firearms. Accuracy with Rem. and Win. factory 55 grain ammo runs from just over one and one and a half inch respectively. Plenty good for minute of coyote to 300 or so. No, they are not light. You want a light ranch rifle, get a short lever gun. Jack