[Go Navy]

I just read a review of this new model by Patrick Sweeney, in RifleShooter magazine, Nov/Dec. 2009. Sweeney is an author of books about, and a competitor, in combat type arms, esp. the AR-15, 3-gun competition etc.

This Mini-14 has a 16.12 inch, 1:9 twist, hammer forged barrel made by Ruger. It comes standard with a folding, pistol grip stock with the usual rails all over it.

Even though gun writers tend to be positive all the time, the main thing I want to report is that Sweeney, who is a skilled shooter, mounted a Trijicon red dot scope on it. This was a 1x scope. He got very nice groups at 100 yards using 8 different factory loads, ranging from 52 grains up to 75 grains. The following results were averages of four, 5-shot groups, so these are probably real valid numbers (in inches): 2.0, 1.75, 2.0, 1.75, 2.0, 2.75, 2.0, 2.25.

The round that yielded the 2.75 inch group was a 62gr. Wolf FMJ. Otherwise, the results seem to show that the rifle was pretty much indifferent to bullet weights.

Sweeney said "If I took the Reflex off and clamped a 3-9x scope in the Ruger-provided rings, I would not be the least bit surprised to see a number of groups under 1.5 m.o.a."

Not bad for a new rifle, 1x scope (reflex sight), 100 yards, and most likely not a cold barrel, given that much shooting. This puppy weighs 7.25 lbs w/o scope or loaded mag. List price is $872.

This barrel, from the photos, clearly has the new contour found on late model Mini-14s with the standard length barrels (I have one). I think this is more evidence that Ruger has significantly improved the out of the box accuracy of their new models of Mini-14s. These groups are plenty good enough for me. The accuracy potential might be greater with magnification.

I would say that if you are looking for an accurate Mini-14, get one of the new models, and it doesn't have to be the "Target" model. I have not yet seen any report that is critical of their accuracy.

[sell33]

thats good to hear. i used to have an older mini and loved it...accuracy was acceptable too, about 1.5 moa....which from what i hear is great in an older mini. wish i still had it...oh well now i only own guns i hunt with (other than a handgun or two of course...)

[SightNSqueeze]

I'm interested in the fact that the author used Wolf ammunition. A couple of us in our area who have Mini-14s stopped using "steel" cased lacquer coated ammunition because we read in an article (don't ask me which one) that it should not be used in “unchromed” barrels of semi-automatic weapons and that the lacquer could stick in an unchromed chamber after sustained semi-auto fire making it hard on an extractor. Of course, that would not apply to SKSs and AK47s that handle steel cased ammo with no problem because of their chrome lined barrels and strong extractors. Is there anything to that?

[Metronome]

The new Mini's have much thicker barrels, and gas block designed to reduce that 'whippiness' that caused the mediocre accuracy of the older designs. When they replaced the old machinery, they knew that the primary complaint was the accuracy of their carbine. I like the new short barrel carbine, but I miss the old carbine style stock

As for the laquered steel cases, I have heard the same fear of laquer or polymer building up in the chamber. From reviews and articles I have gone over in the last few years, it boils down to this becoming an issue with 'match grade' or 'tight' chambers and 'high volume rapid firing' - which in my mind is quite counter productive; why would you shoot crappy ammo, rapidly, through a quality match chamber?

[Go Navy]

Here's a picture of my newer Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle with the Hogue overmolded stock furnished as standard by Ruger. Look carefully and see the new barrel contour. This is serial no. 580-84xxx.

I put a Burris 1-4x scope on it. It was printing about 1.5-2 inch groups out of a hot barrel, during sight-in, having had only about 60 rounds through it. No special break in procedure was followed. I think it'll do a little better once broken in, and once I find whatever ammo it likes. Trouble is, ammo is hard to find.

[Scout6925]

I have a mini14/223 - w/ a 10x50 wa simmons on top. I do my own relaoding and
it is great. took pics the other day will post them today.
o-point at 240 yards...1.6...62 g jacket...25.0 g powder load...
its the 185 seriers w/ flash-def...
reloads are ok eject had to set up a net to chatch the brass...was seanding brass into next booth not good.

[tnmedic]

they do chuck the brass, I have a new model mini that I bought last year with the hogue stock and I love the way it shoots, just still need to buy a brass catcher for it, open sights it shoots well too, I can get on paper at 100 yards, but my eyes suck tho.