Ruger NRA Edition Mini 14

billt · 03-25-2008, 04:23 PM

The scope is mounted, and she's ready for the range! It's a Bushnell Trophy 3-9X 40 MM with Mil-Dot Reticle. The rings Ruger shipped with the rifle worked out very well. Just high enough so I can get the lens cover on the front objective. I checked with a set of points and the rings lined up perfectly. I even got the crosshairs straight the first time! A first for me. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we'll see how she prints. Bill T.

Rem 742 30-06 · 03-25-2008, 05:59 PM

Looks very nice. I have that scope on my 742. I like that scope.

billt · 03-25-2008, 06:23 PM

Has the scope held up well for you? I have had very good luck with an older Bushnell Scopechief that I had mounted on my Remington 700 BDL in .300 Winchester Magnum back in 1972. That was 36 years ago, and it hasn't skipped a beat in hundreds of rounds. I'm hoping this one will outlast me. I like Bushnell's products. Bill T.

Rem 742 30-06 · 03-25-2008, 06:29 PM

Yeah it has held up very well but don't shoot it a whole lot only use it for hunting. But on a 223 i think it should hold up very well.

sirptrk · 03-26-2008, 02:10 AM

Does the NRA edition come with a Houge overmolded stock? I have a Stainless/Synthetic Mini 30 that I would like to fine a Houge stock for. I just love that feel, I put one on my 10-22 and love it.

billt · 03-26-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirptrk

Does the NRA edition come with a Houge overmolded stock?

Yes. The features of the NRA Edition are:

1.) Hogue Overmolded Stock with a gold NRA Medallion in the pistol grip.

2.) A 16 1/8" barrel that is a heavier countor at the gas block.

3.) 2, 20 round Ruger Hi-Cap Magazines included.

It's a little hard to see with all the crap in the background, but if you look you can see where the barrel is a little shorter, and thicker where it exits the gas block. I'm hoping this will aid accuracy a bit. We shall see. Now all I have to do is figure out how to use the Mil-Dot system. Bill T.

Well, accuracy is about what I expected. not a lot to get excited about. Function was flawless. I mounted the scope without any bore sighting and it was dead nuts in elevation at 100 yards, and about 6" left. I was zeroed after the third round. That Mil-Dot makes adjustments a snap. The 2 targets pictured represent a good average of the guns performance. Not the best, and not the worst. It seems to settle down after it warms up a bit. Like the idle on my truck. I didn't do any extended rapid fire, but did shoot a couple of 4 shot strings fast on steel gongs at 200 yards, and found them surprisingly easy to hit with the magnification dialed down. The gun handles well, and is very comfortable to mount and shoot quickly. Both 20 round magazines supplied with the gun functioned flawlessly, as did the 5 rounder I bought. All held the action open with the last shot. All 3 magazines inserted and locked into place without any issues, or excessive play. Brass ejection wasn't into the next county as on other Mini's I've seen. It lands about 10 feet to the right, and about 3 feet behind the shooter. None of it showed any denting or crushed case mouths. I really like the Bushnell scope I mounted as much or more than the Leupold VX II's I've got. It is very clear and bright. All total I ran 255 rounds through it. Both handloads and Remington UMC, as well as a couple of boxes of Federal XM-193 Ball. All shot well, and cycled the action without incident. It seemed to like the hotter Federal XM-193, 5.56 load the best. All and all it was a good day at the range with no unpleasant surprises. I wish the accuracy was better, but compared to some Mini 14's I've seen, this one isn't giving me much to complain about. This gun is going to get shot a lot in time to come, and has somewhat changed my mind about the Ruger Mini 14. I would say to anyone intending to purchase one, to get the NRA Edition. I think the thicker, shorter barrel helps a lot. It's not a match rifle, but it's a nice "fun gun". And that's what it's all about anyway. Bill T.

bmac · 03-27-2008, 09:32 PM

I bought one a few weeks ago. I like the rifle itself, its action was smooth, the iron sights are dead on, and the size and weight are very comfortable for a fun gun.
However, and I was very surprised to say the least, I bought it brand new, in the 2000 range for serial #, and shot it about 4 days after I bought it. I only shot 60 rounds so that was both mags, with a refill on one. After breaking it down, I noticed rust on the bolt 'head' where the firing pin comes through to strike the cartridge. I thought, hmmm, that shouldn't be there, its brand new. I cleaned it thouroughly, with kleenbore # 3 gun solvent and oil, put it back together and the very next weekend, shot it again, only 2 mags worth, and had trouble ejecting the second magazine. It was holding up when i tried to eject it. It came out, and upon closer inspection at home, I saw the top front forward flap was seperating from the body. spot welds hold it together. Anyway, I broke the rifle down for cleaning and saw rust on the bolt head again. cleaned and oiled once more. 2 days later, rust was breaking out again on it. Needless to say, I called ruger, and they had me ship them the rifle and they have had it for about 4 days now. I put the mag in with so they can check it out and hopefully replace it. I have owned rugers before and never had any trouble with quality. their service dept. was class a, noted my issues, sent me the shipping labels, and were very polite. turnaround was set at 4 to 6 weeks. I think this is just a blip, and hope to have it back soon. I think perhaps the firing pin or inside of the bolt was rusty, and think they may replace the whole bolt. and replace the magazine. Like I said, I think ruger is good quality and I never have had any issues with them before, so I am not complaining here, just stating the facts. I can't wait to get it back!

03-25-2008, 04:23 PM	#1
billt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 161	Ruger NRA Edition Mini 14 The scope is mounted, and she's ready for the range! It's a Bushnell Trophy 3-9X 40 MM with Mil-Dot Reticle. The rings Ruger shipped with the rifle worked out very well. Just high enough so I can get the lens cover on the front objective. I checked with a set of points and the rings lined up perfectly. I even got the crosshairs straight the first time! A first for me. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we'll see how she prints. Bill T.

03-25-2008, 05:59 PM	#2
Rem 742 30-06 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 390	Looks very nice. I have that scope on my 742. I like that scope.

03-25-2008, 06:23 PM	#3
billt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 161	Has the scope held up well for you? I have had very good luck with an older Bushnell Scopechief that I had mounted on my Remington 700 BDL in .300 Winchester Magnum back in 1972. That was 36 years ago, and it hasn't skipped a beat in hundreds of rounds. I'm hoping this one will outlast me. I like Bushnell's products. Bill T.

03-25-2008, 06:29 PM	#4
Rem 742 30-06 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 390	Yeah it has held up very well but don't shoot it a whole lot only use it for hunting. But on a 223 i think it should hold up very well.

03-26-2008, 02:10 AM	#5
sirptrk Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas USA, the middle of knowhere Posts: 31 Images: 7	Does the NRA edition come with a Houge overmolded stock? I have a Stainless/Synthetic Mini 30 that I would like to fine a Houge stock for. I just love that feel, I put one on my 10-22 and love it.

03-27-2008, 09:32 PM	#7
bmac Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4	I bought one a few weeks ago. I like the rifle itself, its action was smooth, the iron sights are dead on, and the size and weight are very comfortable for a fun gun. However, and I was very surprised to say the least, I bought it brand new, in the 2000 range for serial #, and shot it about 4 days after I bought it. I only shot 60 rounds so that was both mags, with a refill on one. After breaking it down, I noticed rust on the bolt 'head' where the firing pin comes through to strike the cartridge. I thought, hmmm, that shouldn't be there, its brand new. I cleaned it thouroughly, with kleenbore # 3 gun solvent and oil, put it back together and the very next weekend, shot it again, only 2 mags worth, and had trouble ejecting the second magazine. It was holding up when i tried to eject it. It came out, and upon closer inspection at home, I saw the top front forward flap was seperating from the body. spot welds hold it together. Anyway, I broke the rifle down for cleaning and saw rust on the bolt head again. cleaned and oiled once more. 2 days later, rust was breaking out again on it. Needless to say, I called ruger, and they had me ship them the rifle and they have had it for about 4 days now. I put the mag in with so they can check it out and hopefully replace it. I have owned rugers before and never had any trouble with quality. their service dept. was class a, noted my issues, sent me the shipping labels, and were very polite. turnaround was set at 4 to 6 weeks. I think this is just a blip, and hope to have it back soon. I think perhaps the firing pin or inside of the bolt was rusty, and think they may replace the whole bolt. and replace the magazine. Like I said, I think ruger is good quality and I never have had any issues with them before, so I am not complaining here, just stating the facts. I can't wait to get it back!