Got an itch for a Ruger Mini 14
- Thread starter stokes
- Start date
What is your setup for the simultaneous iron sights + scope? Looking to get some glass on mine.
Vapor
.308 Win
I mean really, they are cast and machined steel. The triggers on the newer ones are pretty good. Better than my alg act in an ar. (Rugers investment casting is some of the best)
Really, a basic ar was $500-700 with crappy old plastic furniture and delta rings. Most 16" carbines I've shot won't do better than 2-3" with regular ball ,and the mil spec trigger is pretty bad. (Most of mine now have larue) I'm not pumping $25/box match ammo through them to find out if they do better...when I pay the same price for .308 match.
I'm not saying that the mini 14 is better for the battlefield than the m16. But there are times I think it's better for the man at home. I don't always want a tactical purple didlo and a flood light hanging off my gun. A mini points and handles a lot like a marlin model 60 or a 10-22. Something we all had as boys...well I did anyway since I was 14. My brothers and mine 580s will both shoot under 2" easily. They all run with $15 pro-mags. I don't get all the vitriol people seem to have.
My Warne ad rings return to within 1" of previous zero when re-mounted too. Really I have a qd optics set up just like all my m4gerys.
Anyway gentlemen, I digress. Debate away.
Really, a basic ar was $500-700 with crappy old plastic furniture and delta rings. Most 16" carbines I've shot won't do better than 2-3" with regular ball ,and the mil spec trigger is pretty bad. (Most of mine now have larue) I'm not pumping $25/box match ammo through them to find out if they do better...when I pay the same price for .308 match.
I'm not saying that the mini 14 is better for the battlefield than the m16. But there are times I think it's better for the man at home. I don't always want a tactical purple didlo and a flood light hanging off my gun. A mini points and handles a lot like a marlin model 60 or a 10-22. Something we all had as boys...well I did anyway since I was 14. My brothers and mine 580s will both shoot under 2" easily. They all run with $15 pro-mags. I don't get all the vitriol people seem to have.
My Warne ad rings return to within 1" of previous zero when re-mounted too. Really I have a qd optics set up just like all my m4gerys.
Anyway gentlemen, I digress. Debate away.
stokes
.338 Win Mag
Ok,after a lot of research I found an answer to my original question.The earliest series is the one to avoid,as they are no longer supported by Ruger.Accuracy in the older models is poor,but as I said, I'm not a target shooter and it is fairly easy to improve with a barrel stabilizer like Accu-Strut.Finding one these days is a problem.I went to 3 different gun stores and was told I could be put on a waiting list.... Ruger has them backordered since March and there is no indication of when they will be available.The prices like everything else are quite high, new starting at around a grand for basic.I got one on gunbroker for 800 bucks.Its an older one,1982 but looks to be very clean from the pics,I hope to pick it up today at the local gun shop.Mags,except 5 rounders are nowhere to be found.I ordered a couple of 10 rounders from Ruger,backordered of course and no indication of when they will have them.Found a guy in Az that has some and have 2 on the way.The gun I bought has 2- 20 round 1-5 round and a 30 round mags included.I'm gonna have the FFL pin the 20 round mags and he can keep the 30 round mag.Will report on it when I get a chance to test it out.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Congrats! Blued or stainless? Don't forget pics!
nortatoga
.338 Win Mag
I went with the Mo-Rod, got it from this outfit https://sunfloweroutdoorsports.com/MO-ROD-MO-REAPER_c74.htm there is also the Har-Bar. I believe they all work about the same.
stokes
.338 Win Mag
Picked it up today.I was pleasantly surprised to see its in better shape than the pics show.Very clean bluing,wood stock is excellent,looks like a safe queen for sure.Its a 1981/82 and shows very little no wear.As far as the mags,I am having one 20 round pinned to 10 rounds,the local gun store gave me a new 10 round and will block the 20 round in exchange for the 30 round and one of the 20 round mags.Wont be able to try it out til next week,the woman that owns the farm across the road has some sort of fund raiser going on this week in the field where she lets me shoot
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Pics or it never happened!
thegatman
.308 Win
You can get a reduced gas port that remedies the over gassed mini.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
I thought I mentioned that I bought a set of the reduced gas bushings. I put the second to smallest in and it still throws brass pretty far. I may just install the smallest one. I wonder if the speed that mini cycles with the larger gas bushings is just too fast for the steel case ammo (like the steel case causes friction in the mag that makes it tougher for the follower to push it up to the feed lips?)?
Vapor
.308 Win
Last I knew grab a gun had ruger 10 rounders for $26.
I personally have had good luck with pro mag, but you may want to buy just one to see if it works with older minis.
I personally have had good luck with pro mag, but you may want to buy just one to see if it works with older minis.
stokes
.338 Win Mag
I watched a video about steel cased ammo in the mini.This guy claimed the "problem" with the steel case is mainly caused by a rough surfaced chamber or extremely dirty chamber.He claims the lacquer coating scrapes off the cartridge in a rough surfaced chamber and builds up.Says since the steel case doesnt expand when fired like brass does so it should eject cleanly in a clean chamber.Dont know,I havent tried it yet,I've got 100 steel cased 5.56 to try out.
PA Guns & Ammo
.45 acp
Did Ruger actually tell you that they would not support the older Mini 14's?
stokes
.338 Win Mag
Not Ruger but this was posted by someone on a Ruger forum from 2013
Here's a list of the different series of the Mini 14 by year.
180 Series Link
Produced from 1974-1977.
Brass ejects upwards.
Shipped from factory with wood handguard installed.
Original Mini-14, no longer supported by Ruger (i.e., no 180-specific parts available)
181 - 186 Series Link
Produced from 1978-1999.
"Standard" Mini-14
No factory scope mounts, single blade front sight, low round rear peep sight.
Brass ejects upwards.
Still supported by Ruger factory parts.
196 - 197 Series Link
Produced from 2000-2004.
Same as 181-186 Series.
187 - 188 Series Link
Produced from 1982-1995.
Mini-14 Ranch Rifle
Factory Scope Mounts, flip-up rear sight, single blade front sight.
Brass ejects to side to avoid contact with scope.
Still supported by Ruger factory parts.
195 - 197 Series Link
Produced from 1996-2004.
Mini-14 Ranch Rifle.
Same as 187-188 Series.
580 - 581 Series Link
Produced from 2005-Present.
Mini-14 Ranch Rifle.
Winged Rear Peep Sight, Winged (3-blade) Front Sight.
Integrated Scope Mounts.
At some point in the 580 Series, Ruger introduced the "heavier," flanged/tapered barrel which improved accuracy and decreased heat sensitivity (stringing).
If you click the "link" with each series it links you to a Ruger site
Here's a list of the different series of the Mini 14 by year.
180 Series Link
Produced from 1974-1977.
Brass ejects upwards.
Shipped from factory with wood handguard installed.
Original Mini-14, no longer supported by Ruger (i.e., no 180-specific parts available)
181 - 186 Series Link
Produced from 1978-1999.
"Standard" Mini-14
No factory scope mounts, single blade front sight, low round rear peep sight.
Brass ejects upwards.
Still supported by Ruger factory parts.
196 - 197 Series Link
Produced from 2000-2004.
Same as 181-186 Series.
187 - 188 Series Link
Produced from 1982-1995.
Mini-14 Ranch Rifle
Factory Scope Mounts, flip-up rear sight, single blade front sight.
Brass ejects to side to avoid contact with scope.
Still supported by Ruger factory parts.
195 - 197 Series Link
Produced from 1996-2004.
Mini-14 Ranch Rifle.
Same as 187-188 Series.
580 - 581 Series Link
Produced from 2005-Present.
Mini-14 Ranch Rifle.
Winged Rear Peep Sight, Winged (3-blade) Front Sight.
Integrated Scope Mounts.
At some point in the 580 Series, Ruger introduced the "heavier," flanged/tapered barrel which improved accuracy and decreased heat sensitivity (stringing).
If you click the "link" with each series it links you to a Ruger site
stokes
.338 Win Mag
Got a chance to test the rifle out yesterday at another neighbors farm.Only had about 40 yds to use.I was using a smaller silhouette target,about 12" X 18". Using the bench rest I was able to put 3" groups at point of aim.Off hand I got 4" to 5" groups.I cant discount the fact that I was using a peep sight,not a big fan and I think with a "v" notched rear sight the groups would be a little better.Since I am not a target shooter I am fairly satisfied with these results.I am going to add an Accu-strut just for shits and giggles and more for the look.I was happy to see it likes steel cased ammo.I had 4 different types of ammo,the steel case was Monrch brand 55gr fmj,Russian ammo.The other 3 were brass 42gr,55gr and 62gr.Brands escape me at the momment,The 42 gr were soft point the others fmj.If I can put similar groups at 100yds I would be very happy,even tho I am already very pleased with the rifle.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Awesome. Glad you are enjoying it. Do you think you will leave it as is aside from the accu strut or do you think you might add more aftermarket stuff?
Vapor
.308 Win
I didn't used to like peeps either, but once you get used to them they are much faster and more accurate.
I'd say that's acceptable accuracy for steel case ammo off hand. I kind of wish I had grabbed up an old police trade in mini when they were $450 for a trunk gun. It would've not mattered as much if it strung shots.
I'd say that's acceptable accuracy for steel case ammo off hand. I kind of wish I had grabbed up an old police trade in mini when they were $450 for a trunk gun. It would've not mattered as much if it strung shots.
BDinPutnam
.475 A&M Magnum
AFAIK its a spare parts availability issue as much as anything.
nortatoga
.338 Win Mag
If your thinking about a scope, I know a guy....
LOL!!!!
LOL!!!!
stokes
.338 Win Mag
I replaced the black handguard with a wooden one,for the look.Ordered the accu-strut and hope that helps with the accuracy,even tho at this range I dont really "need" it but it cant hurt,and partially for aesthetics.Thats about it for any mods.Want to get it out to around 100 yds next week and see how it performs,again very little interest in target shooting,if I can get 8-10 inch groups,or pie plate sized groups,I'm good.I've got a Remington 700 in 270 for nail driving when I need it.
BDinPutnam
.475 A&M Magnum
Scope mount?
That looks like it should be on the back of someone's truck with a big ass cooler on it!
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
What a shame, lol.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
The strut should help some with accuracy, and at the very least it serves as a good heat sink for the gas block and barrel. It also improves the looks.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Question regarding this accuracy thing. Is this really a thing? I shot my dad’s Mini 14 ranch along with my old Bushmaster AR a few years back at 100 yards standing. All shots were within an 8 inch circle for both guns. The targets looked identical after the range called a cease fire after 20 minutes.
Is if for bench rest shooting on a rest that you guys are having accuracy issues with?
Is if for bench rest shooting on a rest that you guys are having accuracy issues with?
Vapor
.308 Win
I have zero issues with my 580 series. Probably more accurate than my 16" stag ar was with delta rings.
The old minis were supposed to string shots after a mag or two. A lot of vertical stringing.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
My dad’s Mini is fairly new. It’s only a few years old.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Likely a 580 series with the thicker tapered barrel.
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
My Mini-14 was made in 1986. It groups under an inch with handloads - same as the ARs I have. Commercial cheepie ammo groups bigger, but both platforms shoot similarly.
I haven't see the inaccuracy they got a reputation for.
repete
.338 Win Mag
I never noticed that and I have a 181 (I think), been a long time since I had it out. I have the accustrut and gas bushing and I replaced the front blade sight.
Just dug it out and looked , it's a 183
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technicalgadget
.223 Rem
Samson Manufacturing brought back the A - team stock if anyone is interested. Lead times are lengthy, but they are beautiful using original part templates and molds from the originals from what I understand.
