Mini 14 report

[Jack L]

Just bought a Mini 14, the ranch stainless model. I own a ranch, seemed logical to me. Set up yesterday at 250 feet, shooting table from target. I AM NOT a rifle shooter. This is my first high power rifle. I shoot handguns but only self defense, not match shooting.

You never know what a weapon will shoot like out of the box. I emailed Ruger and they stated it was factory adjusted for 50 yards. I set up about 83 yards. I had a large heavy cardboard tall box and taped a 9 inch paper picnic plate to the box. I used stock iron sights that comes with the Mini.

At 250 feet a 9 inch round white plate looks like a dot to my eyes. I aim just above the center and to my amazement, I grouped my rounds within a 6 inch circle. Remember I am not a rifle person and this Mini is a new one all stock. Bottom line after 10 magazine of 10 rounds each the rifle shot nice and flat and with iron sights all stock was able to group 6 inch. I was totally stoked. I tested distence and my naked eyes (no scope) could not see further than 100 yards using a 9 inch round plate. All I wanted it for was critters and HD if needed.

Bottom line is I am leaving it 100% stock. No further investment into it. It shoots super for my needs. If I want to invest more $ I'll get into a AR build for fun and the cool factor.

Happy Mini 14 ranch guy here. Not sure if I am lucky or all the new Minis shoot straight and flat.

P.S. I was using Lake City ammo.

[DougJ]

Sounds good!. I like the mini-14, but never bought one. I need to get a M1 Carbine first.

[glockman19]

Mini-14's are great fun rifles. My 581 series shoots 1-2" groups and has never had a huckup.

Congrats.

[Jack L]

Sounds good!. I like the mini-14, but never bought one. I need to get a M1 Carbine first.

Big 5 has them on sale (M1) and also Minis

[sevensix2x51]

Mini-14 was the first rifle I ever bought myself, on my 18th birthday. Still have it, still shoots just fine, and has never failed to perform.

[afro]

Cool, I love Minis. Question though, is it a 580 series? Meaning, does the serial number start with 58?

[glockman19]

Cool, I love Minis. Question though, is it a 580 series? Meaning, does the serial number start with 58?

My mistake I meant the 580 series.

The diffrence in serial numbers corresponds to the manufacture date. in 2006-2007 Ruger re-tooled the mini-14 production line and added the heavier barrel. The tighter tollerances and heavier barrel made newer Ruger mini-14 rifles much more accurate than the pencil barrels on the older models.

[Jack L]

Mine is a new one, just bought at Big 5. I checked that first of course since they retooled and all that SN 581- XXXXX

[huckberry668]

You'll get the groups tightened up with bedding the action, trigger job and a good scope. Mine 20 year old mini-14 shot less than 2" groups at 100 yard after some careful work.

[shy 7th]

Can't say anything about the mini, but I am totally jealous of your ranch.

[Ocular_Trauma]

in 2006-2007 Ruger re-tooled the mini-14 production line and added the heavier barrel. The tighter tollerances and heavier barrel made newer Ruger mini-14 rifles much more accurate than the pencil barrels on the older models.

Ahh... This explains all the Mini-14 love I've been reading recently. I had a blued 14 Ranch I bought back in the late 90's and I couldn't hit jack with the thing, and I'm not an inexperienced shooter. It couldn't hold minute-of-paper-plate @ 100yds with any of the 10-15 different types/weights/brands of ammo I tried. I sold it at a loss in absolute disgust, along with the 10 or so Ruger factory hi-caps I had. Good to hear they raised the bar on this particular product.

In hindsight, I should have kept the mags

[calnurse]

I am not a good shot and, to be honest, I STINK AT SHOOTING!! But I love my Mini 14! Congratulations on your buy and keep shooting!

[desert_dick]

One of my first centerfire rifles was a mini 14. Bought it used in the 80's and it gobbled up every type of ammo I ever bought for it, without a hiccup. Used to chase cans around with it for hours in the Nevada desert. Don't own it anymore, but still fond of the mini 14's.

-Rich

[para38super]

Mine shoots 2" groups at 100 yards, which keeps me satisfied. When people put my mini 14 down I bring my Remington 700 out. They are both great rifles, for two different purposes. Have fun with your mini, I sure do!!!...

[Jack L]

Mine shoots 2" groups at 100 yards, which keeps me satisfied. When people put my mini 14 down I bring my Remington 700 out. They are both great rifles, for two different purposes. Have fun with your mini, I sure do!!!...

I can't see the target at 100 yards with iron sights well enough to place 2 inch groups. I'm lucky to hit 6 inch groups.