Mini-14 Ranch, 580-Series Accuracy...

[invssgt]

I'm looking pretty hard at one of these. I have my reasons for looking at one of these as opposed to an AR.

Mini's are said to have lackluster accuracy. I had one of the first guns from 1978, which would produce thumbnail-sized 100 yard groups using the irons and good ammo. I've shot several since then but have only benched a couple, which were 2 1/2-3 MOA guns. The new 580 Series guns are said to have addressed many of the accuracy issues. 1 1/2" 3-shot groups at 100 yards would be acceptable to me for this type of rifle. I have an old Savage 110 in .223 that shoots a shade better than that at 210 yards, so I have a tool for fine accuracy if I need it.

IF you have purchased or fired one of the newer guns as specified above, and have benched it for groups at 100 yards or better, I'd like to hear from you. If you know someone who is a careful marksman who is doing this, that's just as good. I would also entertain accuracy results for any Mini between my '78 Model, and the current guns.

I am not interested in comparisons between the Mini and any other poodle shooter. This will not become a 'VS' basher/fan thread. The mods are to lock it immediately if it gets stupid.

Your input is greatly appreciated.

[invssgt]

Bumpin' an old topic, in case somebody has wrung one out in the interim.

[SVThuh]

Ive benched my soon-to-be-father-in-laws mini-14 a few times. It was made sometime in the late 80's and accuracy is somewhat piss poor. I have a standard barrel AR15 A2 and with irons I can shoot better with it than with the mini and a scope out to 100 yards.

I would say the mini is probably somewhere around a 4-5MOA gun. Minute of man... That gun is the reason for my AR15 build actually. I was considering the Mini, but after shooting his, completely changed my mind.

[XfrankD]

I am happy with my Mini 14. I got it mainly for a ranch gun and it is a little work horse. Takes care of coyotes and other varmints very well. Found myself taking it to the range more often because it is so fun. Accuracy isnt an issue with mine.

[xdmarz]

I couldn't tell you about the new mini's, but I own both an old and reasonably accurate mini-14 and a pretty accurate AR-15. I wouldn't sell either. I consider MY AR to be my do-it-all weapon and I consider the mini to pretty much be my SHTF weapon.

I have not done any side by side comparisons between the two, but I might today or tomorrow with some match ammo, considering I can fix my AR.

[Frenchy]

Barrel-heating was the problem. I have no idea if the improvements have addressed that.

[Spawnz]

I have never owned nor have I ever shot a Mini-14. My niece's husband has one though and he has had it a long time. Last time we went shooting he put about 50 rounds through my AR-15. He said he couldn't believe how well it handled and he liked that it didn't have as much recoil as his Mini-14. Can't really compare accuracy either since we were just shooting standing up at a metal gong about 75 yards away with the AR. He didn't bring his Mini-14 along so I didn't get to shoot it. That gong looked like swiss cheese when we were done. He's gonna have his buddy make him a new gong.

[ghost--scout]

I've wanted Mini-14 for a while, not sure what caliber since many have become available. I like the looks and functionality, and sub moa groups aren't that important since I won't be shooting past more than 200 or 300 yards anyways. I've also had thoughts about the M1 Carbine, but I haven't done any research on the availability of ammunition for it or accuracy outside of 100 yards.

[XfrankD]

I want to get it in the 6.8 now. I have the Mini 14 (.223), and the Mini 30 (7.62x39). You can find ammo for them anywhere and they eat any kind of ammo with no problems.

[shark52]

I owned a Mini-14 back in the mid 80's. Off the bench it averaged 2 to 3 inches at 100 yds. This was with a 4x scope. That was fine since it was mainly used for shooting tin cans and such.