Ruger Mini-14 Advice

[51st Georgia]

Considering a Mini-14 Ranch for personal homestead defense, plinking, etc. Seemed like a nice rifle for less than the full AR pricetag. Any thoughts? Or should I stick to Bushmaster for my rifle needs?

[agalindo]

Nice rifles but they are not very accurate after a few shots or at least that what I've heard many times over. The barrels are too thin and they loose accuracy after a few shots because the barrel get's hot.

[plant.one]

Originally Posted by agalindo

Nice rifles but they are not very accurate after a few shots or at least that what I've heard many times over. The barrels are too thin and they loose accuracy after a few shots because the barrel get's hot.

FWIW - i've always read that the Mini was a 2-3 MOA rifle


that said... its a very fun, managable guns with mag capacity's ranging up to 40 that i've used,but just not consistently accurate enough for my tastes in a gun.

from what i understand the heavy bbl target models solve this consistency issue, but with the pricetag approaching a bushy... I think i'll just save up and get an AR for my semi-auto .223.

my $0.02 USD

[Brickboy240]

I have a very early Mini-14 and my dad has a mid 90s Ranch Rifle. I have tons of trigger time on these rifles and still don't own an AR.

The Mini-14 gets a bad rap, but if you ask me, alot of it is undeserved.

Why? Well, the Mini-14 was NOT designed to be a high volume blaster or 3-gun competition rifle. It was also not designed for match accuracy or long range varmint popping. People buy Minis and do just these things and become disappointed really fast.

Hello! It was not designed for these things! The Mini-14 was designed as a sort of ranch/pick-up rifle for a few quick shots on varmints or casual plinking. Bill Ruger saw this rifle as a sort of alternative to the 30-30 as a carry-along gun on rural property....not as a tactical rifle. For that purpose, its not a bad choice.

My 1976 made Mini-14 gives me 2-4" groups at 100yds. Sometimes better...sometimes worse. I can put down a coyote or raccoon at 50-60 yards with the first shot, easily. I have done nothing to modify it (other than add Ruger factory 20rd mags) and it wears no scope. I use it as an ATV rifle.

One thing I have discovered about the Mini-14 is that it is utterly reliable. Mine has never jammed....ever. It will run when totally filthy or not lubed very well. If you ask me, the one great thing about the Mini is that it is very reliable and eats whatever you throw in it.

The newer Mini-14s seem to have done away with some of the problems that plagued the earlier ones.The barrels are thicker and tapered and do not string shots after they are heated up. The sights on the newer ones I have seen look alot better than the ones on my old Mini. They now come with very good Ruger factory 20 or 30rd mags....another plus, as aftermarket Mini-14 hi-caps were very poor quality.

If you do not need a super accurate 223 and can live with the Mini's quirks, it is not a bad choice. Its very reliable and for a few quick shots in a HD scenario...I am sure it will do the job.

The only "problems" I see with the Mini-14 these days is it's cost. Back in the day, there was a good 250-400 dollar difference between just about any AR and the cost of a Mini-14. That made the Mini more appealing. However, today, you can get semi-decent ARs at about 750 850 bucks. That means there is maybe a 100-150 dollar difference in a lower tier AR and the Mini-14. You decide whether this is enough to warrant getting a Mini over an AR.

Back when there was a wider price difference...the Mini made more sense. If you can get the Mini-14 for cheap, it might make sense but at 100-150 bucks difference....I would question one over the other.

- brickboy240

[UofHdevildog]

They suck.

Used to fire one my step-father owned and the sights are horrible, stock is too short, and accuracy is non-existant.

[308-Shooter]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

The Mini-14 was designed as a sort of ranch/pick-up rifle for a few quick shots on varmints or casual plinking. Bill Ruger saw this rifle as a sort of alternative to the 30-30 as a carry-along gun on rural property....not as a tactical rifle. For that purpose, its not a bad choice.

... but....

imho, it even loses in that comparison. If you need a shooter like what you describe, a nice lever gun fits the bill and is more reliable and accurate to boot.

ymmv.

[Brickboy240]

Like I said, long ago....when 223 was cheap and there was more of a price difference between the Mini-14 and the AR-15, it made more sense. Today...not so much.

Actually, if you HAVE to have a 223, there are better 223 boltguns that will be more accurate and give you less headaches. There is also the very affordable Handi-rifle in 223. For the price of the Mini-14, you can buy a Handi-rifle in 223, a really nice scope and a case of 223 ammo.

...or just buy a lower tier AR-15 and call it good.

- brickboy240

[XDonRightHip]

Another informative opinion post by Brickboy. Thanks for the post.