my first mini

[StoneCold357]

hey guys, well i was thinking about getting a ruger mini 14, or 30, and had a couple questions, 1.would it be better to buy new or used? 2.what version(14 or 30) would be better for coyote hunting/plinking 3. how often would i have to clean the gun(after every time used or...) 4. are high capacity magazines illeagle in illinois? 5.what is the best ammunition 6.what are the best brand of magazines, and finally 7.is there any price range i need to look at so i know im not getting ripped off?

[lifesgood]

For years I wanted a Mini 14. Finally the day came a friend had one he wanted to trade for something I had. This Mini 14 was almost new I think he shot less than 100 rounds through it. I got it and went to the range to try it out. I was never more disappointed in a rifle than I was that one. I'm not the best shot but at 100 yards a group that looked like 00 Buck was shot. About a 5" pattern. I fooled with this rifle for several months and gave up and traded it for a Remington 31TC shotgun.
Saying all that I think I would have to look at the 30. It has to be better.

[Zen900]

Minis are carbines. They lack the accuracy of bolt actions because they dont free float the barrel. Just like on a 10/22. Most folks take off the barrel band for improved accuracy. Minis are also rough on scopes. However they are great at high volume plinking. They have their niche. I'd love to have one but they are a bit overpriced for my paycheck. The AR15 kinda took over the semiauto .223 market. I actually think the mini 14 is a better looking rifle than the AR but the AR is more accurate. The knock on the mini is definately it's mediocre accuracy.

[toolman]

I personally wouldn't buy one unless it was the new accurized version and they are pretty pricey. I prefer the 7.62x39 for high-volume, closer range shooting, but the .223 has less recoil and shoots a lot flatter at long range, while still being cheap to shoot. Cleaning is going to depend on ammo used as some is dirtier than others-especially the cheaper Russian\European\Chinese stuff. You might try www.impactarms or GunsAmerica Home for pricing.

[DWARREN123]

I have both new Mini's in stainless/synthetic. I am getting 2 inches or less with both at 100 yards, 5 shot groups with good ammo and haven't had any groups over 3 inches that was the rifles faults. The barrels will heat up if fired too fast and open up groups.
The best mags seem to be Rugers but I have also had good luck with Pro Mags up to 10 round capacity.
The Mini 30 does seem a little more accurate.
I have added recoil buffers and heavier recoil springs, they seem to help some on accuracy and really help on ejecting fired cases too far.

[StoneCold357]

i was thinking about an AR, but they are just to pricy for me, i liek the mini cuz i can afford it

[roy1]

I just bought a Mini-14 in stainless/synthetic. I knew going in it did not have the best accuracy. But I bought a few diffrant brands of ammo and like stated above some is by far better then others. I'm happy with the accuracy anf its fun to shoot. I have other rifles if I need one thats dead on out past 200 yards, Just cost more to shoot.

[GoodAim]

Well the way I figure it the new Mini 14 is 995 bucks that is the model they say can get 1 MOA @ 100yrds. I think for that price I would just go with the AR. I can get a decent AR for around 700-800. You can save alittle more and buy a new AR-15 for around 1100 and they are very accurate. Here is a link to the Ruger Website with the prices for them.Ruger Mini-14® Target Rifle*&!@#%Autoloading*&!@#%Rifles
P.S. Don't get me wrong I do think Ruger makes some quality stuff (i have a P89 handgun). If the money is a issue then I would stick with the AR-15 you can get one used for cheaper and do alot of stuff to make it fit your desires.

[ArkansasHunter]

Please let me remind everyone one that Ruger is manufacturing there own barrels now which are hammer forged on new state of the art equipment so prolly the days of poor accuratcy are over. Time will tell and I soon will be reporting a Gun test on my HAWKEYE 308 that has the new hammer forged barrel and LC6 target trigger...A.H

[Troy]

i had an older mini 14 and all i could get was 5 inch groups at 100 yards. i wouldn't get another one. a lot of fun, just not accurate enough for the price tag hung on it.

[ArkansasHunter]

roy1 WELCOME to Gun and Game feller If you don't mind when you can get around to it would you please tell us a little bit more about your new Mini 14 and how it shoots
sometime. I'm really expecting the model you have to shoot better than earler models. No hurry but I would like to know if there more accurate now. Thank you A.H

[billy]

i have always thought they were really neat looking .
but have never seen an accurate one.

[roy1]

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

roy1 WELCOME to Gun and Game feller If you don't mind when you can get around to it would you please tell us a little bit more about your new Mini 14 and how it shoots
sometime. I'm really expecting the model you have to shoot better than earler models. No hurry but I would like to know if there more accurate now. Thank you A.H

Will I have used it some in the last week. I have put around 175 rounds threw it. Like stated above, I'm finding some ammo shoots fairly nice groups at 100 yards and some really sucks. I don't have the time now to go into detail on which is which. So far the Federal value 200 pack 50 grain HP shoots nice threw it. I'm getting around 1.5" groups with three shoot groups. Also the Ultramax ammo I tried in 55 grain SP seems to shoot nice groups. I have heard some bad about the Ultramax ammo but the stuff I bought seems to shoot good so far. As far as FMJ the best is Federal eagle in 55 grain and the worst is 55 grain Remington MC I believe (Junk in this rifle). No I have not shoot expensive ammo threw it and I'm sure it would shoot better with the right grain bullet with correct powder charge.
I'm no expert at the bench when it comes to shooting. But I grabbed my 243 rem.BDL
after shooting the mini and shot two three round groups. One I dam near cover with a dime and the other with a nickel at 100 yards this with Federal premium seria boat tail 100 grain. I like shooting the mini and now as I find which ammo works better threw it I'm sure I will like it more. Hope this helps some

[raveneap]

I've had the "old" model mini-14 for three years or so. I didn't want it for accuracy but for the fun of it. The accurracy isn't anything to write home about; it isn't a tack driver but was never meant to be. It is lots of fun to plink with;that's what I wanted and that's hat I got. For $425.00 NIB..

[BattleRifleG3]

Hunt deer with a 223? Not me, not many, and those who do insist on surgical accuracy, which only bull barreled Minis can offer.

Hunt deer with a 7.62x39mm? Not a bad choice for realistic ranges, but the trajectory is a little curved for most tastes, plus the accuracy of the Mini-13 has a reputation far worse than the 14.

But now the Mini-14 is being chambered in 6.8 Rem SPC. Not a caliber I think anyone can afford to blast away with. But for hunting whitetailed deer, I think the Mini has finally found a sensible setup.

So with the target version in 223 and the 6.8 Rem SPC version, I think Ruger is finally taking the Mini-14 in a sensible direction.

"Fun plinking" is great, but I don't see any point to it if it doesn't help you develop skills with a gun that is also useful for something practical. Plinking and hunting with the same guns you have ready to defend your home and homeland - now we're talking.

[Despoiler]

Originally Posted by BattleRifleG3

"Fun plinking" is great, but I don't see any point to it if it doesn't help you develop skills with a gun that is also useful for something practical. Plinking and hunting with the same guns you have ready to defend your home and homeland - now we're talking.

Ever went plinking with a 10/22? Now that is just fun! Plinking with the mini 14 is just higher power.

Despoiler

[rocketmonty]

themini-14 work's better with a m-14 flash-hidder and re-cone the barrel end.also the trigger system can be place more advance and less pressure at the sear. mini-30 has a few up's and down's concerning the magazine install at the receiver. i have to use ar-15 mags in 762.39to resolve the issue.

[HeavyMetal]

i have 2 mini 14 and i love them both there fun to shoot.
And at 100 to 150 yards a 2 to 3 inch grouping is just fine if its a human target in war time you hit your target and thats what counts.
As far as the mags the ruger ones work just fine if you have loading problems just squrit some oil in the mag and that should clear up.
If your going to put a scoop on it well most likely its gonna break there really rough on scoops
and i know i cant spell worth a #*^@ just figure out what the word is im not that bad lol

[xlh883cc]

I have a ser#580 Mini 14 and the best I can do is 3in. groups at 100 yds. with a scope. I think this is not bad for this type of weapon, I use it for hog and coyote hunting and to me is ok,

[blaster]

i have 2 older mimi 14s one blue and one stainless and i love them. they have taken many deer, hogs and turkeys (even knocked one out of the air once). while not tack drivers they are way better than my sks or aks in the accuracy dept. personally i like the feel of them over the ar clones. for hunting i prefer my handloads, 60gr. hornady s.p over 25 grs h-335. they go about 2800fps. my daughters use them on deer and i've never recovered a bullet they blow through leaving about a 1' exit hole