stokes
.338 Win Mag
Got an itch for a Mini 14.I remember some time ago reading that certain years models are problems.Anybody got any insight?
Got an itch for a Ruger Mini 14
- Thread starter stokes
- Start date
PutnamCharlie
6.5 Creedmoor
Mine is about 30 years old and works fine.
Vapor
.308 Win
580 series- newer ones, has better accuracy. They made the barrel thicker at the gas block and overall.
Quality from what I have seen, is great. The two that I had before a terrible angle grinder accident ran like stuck pigs with even pro mags. Accuracy was equivalent to a non free floated m4 carbine style rifle.
Quality from what I have seen, is great. The two that I had before a terrible angle grinder accident ran like stuck pigs with even pro mags. Accuracy was equivalent to a non free floated m4 carbine style rifle.
Vapor
.308 Win
Good luck finding one however...quick internet search shows about $1,000.
I know they run fine, but I would steer clear of the old pencil barreled rifles.
I know they run fine, but I would steer clear of the old pencil barreled rifles.
Last edited:
1075tech
.338 Win Mag
Hmmm... I know my b-i-l had one. He just died yesterday. Given the current climate, I imagine his son will keep it if he hadn't gotten rid of it.
I had one back in the late 80s for a while.
I had one back in the late 80s for a while.
technicalgadget
.223 Rem
You can buy a barrel strut or barrel dampener which reduces the vibrational harmonics of the older pencil barrel models and greatly improves accuracy.
GTN
.308 Win
A $1000 maybe I should sell mine
1075tech
.338 Win Mag
Don't want to derail the thread, but thank you. Sister in law's ex but they remained good friends. Cool guy, but 15 years older than me. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December. He told me at our mother in law's funeral.
PA Guns & Ammo
.45 acp
I have one made in 1976. Never had accuracy issues if you treat it like a hunting gun. If you treat is like most semi auto rifles, it will start stringing shots.
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
Love my Mini! Wouldn't take a thousand for it.
Robin
Robin
Man I would not pay $1,000 for a Mini.
Vapor
.308 Win
Nope, I think I was in the low 7 or mid 6 range.
My brother got his at wal mart for $399 on closeout.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
You can't go wrong with a 580 series. I just wish mine ate steel cased ammo better. I hear some people never have an issue with it but mine seems to skip over at least one round of steel cased per mag. They are also way over gassed. You can get smaller gas bushings to help. Factory mags are expensive but since most of the aftermarket mags seem to have issues, the OEM ones are the best bet. I haven't put any kind of optics on mine and I honestly don't plan to. I like the idea of leaving it open sights. I do recommend putting a Tech Sights rear sight on it though. I put an accu-strut on mine, even though it isn't needed, I like the looks of it. I also added an extended mag release and a bolt on adapter so I can use stripper clips (in case I ever have to go fixed mag with it).
Vapor
.308 Win
Where did you get the stripper clip guide?
I've had good luck with the nickel pro mags and mags from cdnn. I don't think cdnn is carrying their "oem" line anymore.
Ruger rings are cast, and can be very miss aliged. If you go for optics, get warne or leupold rings.
I've had good luck with the nickel pro mags and mags from cdnn. I don't think cdnn is carrying their "oem" line anymore.
Ruger rings are cast, and can be very miss aliged. If you go for optics, get warne or leupold rings.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Mini-14 Clip Guide 582 or Higher
A receiver mounted stripper clip guide for Mini-14’s with serial number prefix 582 and greater. This part is made to order using 3D metal printing and has an approximate 4 week lead time.
cogburnarsenal.com
A little pricey, but worth it for the option.
stokes
.338 Win Mag
Wont be using it as a target/hunting gun so no optics planned,and nail driving accuracy not needed,strictly a home defense weapon.Looking at a couple of web sites,prices seem to be all over the place.I see a lot going in the 6-800 dollar range and many 1000 plus.So far,although there arent as many the Mini 30 seems to be lower pricewise,havent seen any over 900 bucks.I'd prefer the 14 for the lower kick and I see some with a 16" barrel which would be nice.
oc shooter
.223 Rem
I have 1 that's only a few years old as with most Rugers it's reliable but thtat's where it ends by the time you put better sights on it a strut and some other mods you have the price of a much better rifle. as soon as the Vampirer state allows me to own something other than a mini ranch rifle mine is history. don't get me wrong it works throws brass a mile and a half and on a good day it might shoot a 12 to 18' group
Vapor
.308 Win
Hmmm...
Well mine shoot 1"-2" with 1-3x v3 or a 2-7x vx2 scopes on them. Maybe you have a lemon? They are also ammo dependent. Mine shoot great with American Eagle 55 grain, but awful with Winchester white box 5.56.
I guess ymmv.
I prefer shooting them to my thordsen ar15s any day, any way. Much more natural feeling and just as accurate. Maybe it was growing up with a bunch of aks...
oc shooter
.223 Rem
Hmm ammo dependent! we have a on again off again Mini 14 club with roughly 29 members and unless your willing to put 3 or4 hundred dollars into them they all seem to shoot about like mine. so I think I paid around $750 for mine plus call it $300 for mods thats a bit over $1000. hell a bottom of the line Smith M&P will out shoot it all day long for about $700. again not saying there bad or don't run I just think you can do better for the money
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
Mine was made in 1986. I haven't noticed the inaccuracy issues noted elsewhere. I get groups similar to my AR's.
Bob
6.5 Creedmoor
I bought a Mini 14 directly from Ruger in December 2016 for $660. Put a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9 on it. It shoots roughly MOA, depending on what I feed it.
It eats Hornady 68gr BTHP for breakfast, and I can get cloverleaf groups at 100 yards. It opens up a little with Hornady Black 75gr BTHP.
I just wish magazines weren't so damned expensive. I'd love to get my hands on a bunch of 10/30 mags, then I'd keep it as a truck gun.
It eats Hornady 68gr BTHP for breakfast, and I can get cloverleaf groups at 100 yards. It opens up a little with Hornady Black 75gr BTHP.
I just wish magazines weren't so damned expensive. I'd love to get my hands on a bunch of 10/30 mags, then I'd keep it as a truck gun.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
I did exactly that with a $700 M&P15 sport and still ended up modding it and spending so much money on it, it is no longer a "Sport". Not because the gun didn't run, but because I wanted to.
A good place for info on Mini's Ruger Mini-14 and Mini-30 - Shooting Sports Forum
Vapor
.308 Win
Now that one could be me, or maybe it's the rifle.
It was off a rock jr. With a 1-3x weaver scope and Warne rings. No accu strut or anything. It was federal ammo.
It's not the best ever, but I was pretty shocked.
JackNeat
.45 acp
Check Ulster Firearms ( they had a few last month ). Also Collectors Rifle in Hopewell... they had some a few weeks ago. Around $850 if I recall the price tag correctly.
@thewheels
.308 Win
The Mini 14 I've shot at 100 yards or more only misses because of me and/or the wind.
oc shooter
.223 Rem
well mine is history as soon as I leave NY or the laws change again not a bad gun just think I could do better with something else and thewheels I can hit a target all day long with iron sights at 100 yards but they won't be anywhere near the bulls eye. it's a fun gun but for something in the $800 to $1000 I think any of the ar's are a better deal especially with the modularity
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
They are definitely over priced, I am not trying to argue that. Nor am I trying to compare them to AR's.
AR's are far superior in almost every way, with exception to their being the subject of constant ban attempts. This is why I will always keep my mini. I think they are nice looking as well and despite their short comings compared to AR's, they have their place. The FightLite is a game changer though. I'd love to have one of those lowers. But I can also see the anti's trying to ban anything AR related, which would include Uppers and other parts you could use with the FightLite lower.
oc shooter
.223 Rem
ArmedCorgi well said that's pretty sound reasoning