Mini 14 frustration

[nyenthusiast]

I’ve had a Mini 14 for a little over a year now, and if I’m honest, it’s become something of a love hate relationship. I really enjoy shooting the rifle, but sruggle to shoot respectable groups with it. I’m looking for ways in which I can improve accuracy. I’ve considered having be action bedded as well as adding an adjustable gas block like the one produced by accuracy systems. Any help or suggestions folks here might be able to offer would be appreciated greatly!

 

[dsdmmat]

The design of the rifle is not conducive to super small groups. Do you reload? If not what factory ammo have you tried?

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Not super helpful for you but......

Use it as a tomato stake in your garden (works excellent for this) and buy an AR already.

 

[Podmonkey]

Well what kind of groups are you getting?
The Mini 14 has never been known as an especially accurate rifle but folk these days often have an elevated, and unrealistic, expectation of accuracy. 3 to 4" groups at 100 yards is perfectly fine for most any use besides internet bragging or precision match use. The newer "580" series Mini 14s should be able to manage that much.
At least in the Mini 14 you have an unmolested rifle that is compliant.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I’ve had a Mini 14 for a little over a year now, and if I’m honest, it’s become something of a love hate relationship. I really enjoy shooting the rifle, but sruggle to shoot respectable groups with it. I’m looking for ways in which I can improve accuracy. I’ve considered having be action bedded as well as adding an adjustable gas block like the one produced by accuracy systems. Any help or suggestions folks here might be able to offer would be appreciated greatly!

What series mini do you have?

 

[GUNSICK]

Accu-strut the Original Barrel Strut

The A Team could never hit anything either, now you know why.

 

[GTN]

Accu-strut the Original Barrel Strut
.

That’s the piece I was thinking of.
I’ve kinda grown away from my mini14 right after I bought my 1st AR

 

[kev74]

First - try better ammo. Bulk, value ammo is crap. Its fun, but not accurate.
Second - get into reloading. If you're careful, it can make a huge difference in accuracy.

 

[Podmonkey]

First - try better ammo. Bulk, value ammo is crap. Its fun, but not accurate.
Second - get into reloading. If you're careful, it can make a huge difference in accuracy.

It depends on the bulk ammo type.
I have always found the Federal XM types either M855 or M193 to be about the least accurate ammo in 5.56, while the GGG stuff to be pretty excellent. The latter is even cheaper! I usually buy IMI as I find it to be better than average at a low cost, the GGG stuff has periodic dry spells in availability. I also like the Hornady Gunner 55gr HP "match" if I can find it on sale. I once scored a 247 round can for $99. Its definitely more accurate than any bulk ammo, but not a true match load. It's good for a day of paper punching.

 

[Depick]

Accu-strut the Original Barrel Strut

The A Team could never hit anything either, now you know why.

Put one on mine when I had it. It helped a little the mini 14 just isn’t built for accuracy i’d look elsewhere if accuracy is what your looking for.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Accu-strut the Original Barrel Strut

The A Team could never hit anything either, now you know why.

That’s the piece I was thinking of.
I’ve kinda grown away from my mini14 right after I bought my 1st AR

I never understood this thing. I thought the whole point of free floating a barrel on an AR was to let the barrel flex however it wanted and have less stuff on the barrel to mess with the harmonics. This seems to do the opposite.

 

[kev74]

I never understood this thing. I thought the whole point of free floating a barrel on an AR was to let the barrel flex however it wanted and have less stuff on the barrel to mess with the harmonics. This seems to do the opposite.

It can go either way. Some barrels like to be free floated, others like some support.

Its all about consistency - whatever helps the barrel do the same thing for every shot.

 

[GTN]

I never understood this thing. I thought the whole point of free floating a barrel on an AR was to let the barrel flex however it wanted and have less stuff on the barrel to mess with the harmonics.[/MEDIA]

Mini14 barrels are really thin, especially the older models. They are like pencils and flex way to much

 

[thegatman]

Mini’s are not very accurate. You want accurate get a bolt gun. We buy mini’s in NY because they are a legal semi-auto. Don’t need an adjustable gas block. Just change out the gas port. Get a barrel that is tapered.

 

[GTN]

I consider my mini 14 my up close and personal rifle

 

[@thewheels]

1st thing, Define respectable groups.

 

[Marine Cpl]

A mini 14 is adequate enough for minute of man at 300 yards which is more than enough for self defense/ combat distances. In fact, most combat engagements are less than 200 yards away for the military. For the police and civilians, that distance is even less.

Unless you want to punch paper and admire the cloverleafs, you don't have to do anything.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Accu-strut the Original Barrel Strut

The A Team could never hit anything either, now you know why.

I put one of those on mine for the looks and added heat sinking ability.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I consider my mini 14 my up close and personal rifle

Like 100yrds and under for me. I'd like to try it out to longer distance though.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Not super helpful for you but......

Use it as a tomato stake in your garden (works excellent for this) and buy an AR already.

So much hate.

 

[GTN]

Like 100yrds and under for me. I'd like to try it out to longer distance though.

I like mine for 50 yards and under. I tried it at 200 yards with a red dot on it and the smallest dot covered the 2x2’ target. 5 out of 10 shots hit the target

 

[Phauxtoe]

do you buy a screw driver and complain it won't hammer nails very well?
it is not a bench rest gun, it will hit 1 minute of man at 100 yards or less!
thats what it is designed for.

My brother put the strut on his gun and neither of us seem to notice better groups.
I got a Brimstone trigger job and mine is noticeably better.
I only did the trigger job because i like a good trigger, i have always been happy with the Mini14 as a Fun Gun and it could be a great home defense gun if i didn't believe in using a shot gun for that duty.

 

[Robin]

I like my Mini, I like the action, I like the ruggedness, along with a few other things, its just a fun gun to shoot. with good ammo mine is fairly consistent in accuracy, maybe even a little better than I expected. However, I am all for improving the accuracy of any fire arm. Is that accuracy-strut thing for real? Pretty good chunk of money for something bolted to the barrel, I suppose if it really and truly works, its worth it. Also, how does changing you gas port from what came on the gun help accuracy?
Robin

 

[Phauxtoe]

in May it was $55...
Mini Trigger Work

now its 82.50? WFT?
(plus $9.50 shipping)

 

[Twogunwilly]

Mini accuracy maxi fun FUAC
stole the pic

 

[Phauxtoe]

Mini accuracy maxi fun FUAC
stole the pic

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Is that accuracy-strut thing for real? Pretty good chunk of money for something bolted to the barrel, I suppose if it really and truly works, its worth it. Also, how does changing you gas port from what came on the gun help accuracy?

If you have an older series mini with the thinner barrel, you may see an improvement. For the newer series with the thicker barrel, not so much. It is, however a really good heat sink, so that is worth something. Plus it looks cool.
The new gas bushings will lessen the wear and tear on the receiver and other parts of the gun. It will also reduce the distance it sends brass. Not sure on accuracy.

 

[Acer-m14]

i love my mini , hate the ghost ring sights .. it was never meant for competition ..

in May it was $55...
Mini Trigger Work

now its 82.50? WFT?
(plus $9.50 shipping)

search and do it your self .. whoops stone slipped .. now it shoots on pull and shoots on release

there was a pdf out there on how to make it ummmmm you know pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew . empty .. finger off .. LOL ..

 

[Uninformed and Compliant]

I’ve had a Mini 14 for a little over a year now, and if I’m honest, it’s become something of a love hate relationship. I really enjoy shooting the rifle, but sruggle to shoot respectable groups with it. I’m looking for ways in which I can improve accuracy. I’ve considered having be action bedded as well as adding an adjustable gas block like the one produced by accuracy systems. Any help or suggestions folks here might be able to offer would be appreciated greatly!

Just upgrade to an AK74, or perhaps even an M&P Shield. You'll shrink your group size in half.

 

[Acer-m14]

Just upgrade to an AK74, or perhaps even an M&P Shield. You'll shrink your group size in half.

my Mosin shoots better at 100 yrds then my Mini14 does .. but the Mosin was a War gun ..