Rebarrel Mini 14

[in_a_silent_way]

The rifle in question is a Mini 14 first year of production 181 pencil barrel wood handguard blued 223
The gun as I received it was plugged mid barrel, perhaps by a mud dauber or some such insect
Required some soaking with Blaster after which I knocked out the obstruction with a steel ramrod
After some scrubbing, I think the two inch section that was plugged has some pitting

Knowing the inconsistent nature of the accuracy of the early mini 14, I was considering rebarreling and starting from scratch so to speak, before attempting any accurizing
The other option is to throw in the towel and turn it to parts. For me that is usually less desireable, but I suspect I can get underwater on this gun quickly. I have my limits.

I know not too much about the mini 14 and pretty much nothing about rebarreling the mini 14. In a word, Educate me (is that one?). Talk me off, (or on?) of the ledge. I am not averse to either aftermarket or replacing with an original pencil barrel, or something from a later mini, if that is even possible. I will be keeping a reign on expenses haha, but at the same time, I understand nothing worth doing is cheap. My ultimate goals for this gun are modest, just a reliable shooter that has the potential to group consistently (3? moa)

thanks for any suggestions/help/insults/encouragement/abuse/ridicule

 

[Mobuck]

From someone who's not a MINI fan, a couple inches of pitted bore in 'mid barrel' probably won't make a noticeable difference in accuracy (or lack there-of). IMHO, not worth the cost of re-barreling unless the bullets are making keyholes in the target.

 

[DGW1949]

It's not a job that just any ole "gun smith" can do. "Accuracy Systems" have probably re-barrelled more Mini-14's than the next closest two shops combined, plus they are a Ruger-authorized repair shop....Current pricing is on their web page:

Ruger Mini Remington AR10 AR15 Accuracy Custom Accurate Rifles Barrel

Accuracy Systems Inc does custom gunsmithing. Accuracy Systems builds custom accurate rifles and does rebarreling on AR15, AR 10, Ruger Mini 14, Mini 30, AK Variances, Remington 7400, 750 7600 and Remington 700 Actions

www.accuracysystemsinc.com

DGW

 

[kmoore]

Regarding throwing in the towel due to some pitting. I 100% agree with #2 post Mobuck. I have a bore scope and many firearms. Shoot it 1st before making any changes. Those never were known to be match accurate. If it shoots 3 inch groups at 100 yds in standard form with 55 gr ammo it's about as good as it will ever be. (I said in stock form)
This is my worse rifle pitted barrel story. Win 94, I bought used in 1980. with a peep sight, it would out shoot my early Mini 14s with a pitted barrel from chamber to muzzle. The barrel had small pits in the lands and grooves. I shot it with lead and jacket hunting loads. It got 2 and 3 inch groups at 100 yds. Last year I was going to sell the rifle but knew if anyone looked close through the barrel it would not be worth much. So I had a used barrel in great condition installed. Shooting it now, the groups are about the same that old POS barrel shot as good as a new barrel.
I have another example: Mauser FN in 358 NM, it has minor barrel pitting and massive fire cracking in the chamber, some marks on the lands from cleaning with a steel rod. It shoots 3 shot 1 inch groups to this day.
You mention accurizing the rifle, it's your money. You decide if it's worth it. If your asking me, I would use it as is or sell it. Rebarreling with an old style barrel won't get you anywhere. Now a newer barrel with faster twist might.

 

[Mobuck]

Good advice kmoore.
I've seen tired old military rifles give decent accuracy with a gnarly looking bore.