[captain-03]

Any Mini users out there? I purchased one from Walmart not long after Katrina. It was a good deal in that Walmart was liquidating their inventory. Took it to the range several times and was extremely disappointed in the performance. Could not hit a 10inch bull @ 100yrds consistently -- I would always have a couple of flyers that went to who knows where!! Tried different handloads and commercial ammo without much success. Another problem I have with this rifle is that it slings the brass a good 40' to 60'. I could not shot it at the range unless I was on the far right bench - the hot brass would pepper anyone standing or shooting to my right!!

The rifle has been sitting in my safe since that time until several months ago. I told myself that I could not expect this to be a long range rifle; so why not make it into a short range one -- ordered an ATI StrikeForce Stock from Midway and put her into it ... here she is --

The new stock fit like a tight glove -- actually had to "beat" the action into the stock (just a little!!) in order to get it to fit flush. Did some research concerning the gas system and found that by changing out the gas block bushing with a smaller diameter one, it may help with the brass slinging issue. Found a guy in Washington State that makes a wide array of gas bushings for the Mini. Order 3 different sizes ... Accuracy did improve and I do not seem to have anymore of them flyers .. however, not to the degree that I think this rifle should shoot. Maybe with the right handloads, I can find something it likes. The brass slinging issue has also improved .. puts them out about 8' to 12' from the weapon.

Going to take the scope off and try to find some sights that I can use ... the front sight is nothing more than a tall blade ... I hate it -- any ideas out there?

 

[Rbelote]

Most minis dont shoot, but there is a place called accuracy systems inc I believe that guarantees them to under 1.5 moa or under 1 moa. Just google search for accuracy systems mini 14 and you will find them.

 

[RDRJR]

Bought mine used, never was impressed with the accuracy, but thought it could be from previous abuse. Guess not.

 

[Hammer]

Good lookin rifle there, Cap!

 

[brickmanDan]

A mini-14 has never been known for its accuracy, thats no secret. I had one that performed about like the original poster of this has experienced. I couldnt stand it. It didnt last long before i sold it and i felt bad for the guy i sold it too. Good luck with finding a load that will shoot any better than 10moa at 100yrds without some major gunsmith accuracy work being done to the rifle. IMHO, a mini is good for short range defensive or pest control work under 50yrds. The mini14 is a very reliable weapon and functions well, far better than an AR(stirring the pot). If i had my "rathers" i wouldve kept the gun and set it up for short range work, but at the time i purchased it i was wanting a rifle that would at least hit a paper plate at 100 yds. That being said, You have a good looking mini with all the accesories youve added!

I have heard, but im not sure, that the new Mini's that are hitting the market now are far better as far as accuracy is concerned. I sure would like to hear from someone who has fired one for accuracy. If it would group 3 inches or less I would buy another one for sure.

 

[Rbelote]

The new one with the tuner on the barrel may be accurate, but it is almost twice the price. I rather have a malfunctioning accurate ar than a no shooting mini.

 

[z06]

Friend of mine had one we used to shoot wolf 55gr fmj in. It did pretty decent. We never shot paper to see what kind of group it shot but we never had problems hitting what we were shooting at. Have any of you guys that reload ever tried a heavier grain bullet? Like up in the high 60 or 70 grain bullet to see if that would help?

 

[captain-03]

....Have any of you guys that reload ever tried a heavier grain bullet? Like up in the high 60 or 70 grain bullet to see if that would help?

Yes, I did load some 62 grain when I first got the gun ... didn't seem to make much difference. However, since I have made the modifications, I just may try the heavier bullet again -- thanks for reminding me!! :thumbup:

 

[z06]

Try the heaveist grain you can find. I mite be wrong but I dont think they had much twist in the barrel. I think the heavier you can get the better off you mite be.

 

[Brutus]

Try the heaveist grain you can find. I mite be wrong but I dont think they had much twist in the barrel. I think the heavier you can get the better off you mite be.

Actually, a heavier bullet might result in worse accuracy.

I'm not sure what the twist rate is on Cap's rifle (whatever it was when that one was manufactured) but I think the older ones were 1 in 12, which would dictate a somewhat lighter bullet - like 60 gr. or less.

The super-heavy .224 bullets that are now available require up to a 1 in 7 twist.

 

[Brutus]

There are several accurizing tips I've come across over the years.

One involves removing the gas block, lapping the top half of it, and reinstalling it with close attention to the torque on the screws, creating something of a "tuneable" gas block for the Mini. It's at this link near the bottom titled "And here's another guy's idea":

http://www.bajaarizona.org/mini14/mini14.htm

Clark Custom offers a trigger job that might also help by improving the trigger enough that pulling the trigger doesn't move the rifle to a minute degree.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/m14svcalac.htm

For the front sight, Choate makes both a long and short version that gives an M-1/M-14 type sight picture.

http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_page.cfm?queries_index=index10&ProductCode=38&ProductSubCodeID=209&NewProduct=0

In rear sights, Millett offers or at least used to offer aftermarket Mini-14 sights that are/were much better than the original equipment. The only result I could find for it was a cached page from 2006, so they may not still be making it - I don't know for sure.

http://www.millettsights.com/2006/pages/mini.php

One thing I've often thought might help would be to bob the barrel off to minimum legal length of 16". I think the standard length is 18 1/2". This would, at least in theory, result in a stiffer barrel since it would be shorter but still the same diameter. A stiffer barrel should flex less in firing and cycling and should be - again, in theory - more accurate.

 

[Rbelote]

Dang Brutus you have built up alittle info over the years!

 

[Brutus]

Dang Brutus you have built up alittle info over the years!

LOL! You ought to see my "favorites" folder. It resembles a Sears catalog of old! I have my faves sub-categorized into topics like "guns and shooting", "news", "commentary and blogs", etc., and then sub-categorized even further. Within "guns and shooting" are sub-folders for "manufacturers", "ammo", "reloading", "gun shows", etc.

 

[Brutus]

Cap,

Williams makes a replacement rear sight for the ranch rifle, which is what yours appears to be.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=310422

I believe XS also makes one, but it's a ghost ring and not a true "peep sight".

 

[massair]

Minis and Groundhogs

From time to time, the groundhogs here seem to take over gardening, eliminating the wife's vegetables root first, so we are not averse to eliminating them, as well, if opportunity presents itself.

The Mini-14 behind our front door is a stainless model, the high-humidity here "spolit" the blue one, so traded up with the nephew (yeah, I know, lube it, but that gun goes untouched and unseen sometimes for months on end).

One day, she spotted one of the nasty critter-rats over by the shop building, across the road, a good 70 yards away. The Mini was levelled on the front stairs bannister, Mr. Woodchuck sat up, I fired, he leapt in the air, she said she thought I hit him, he didn't move more than 10 feet before expiring over there, weight about 30 lbs, big-'un.

Iron sights, .223 spire-point FMC, real lucky shot or that particular Mini is not as inherently inaccurate as we have thought.

 

[captain-03]

I gonna put some time and work into it before I just give up!!

 

[brickmanDan]

I gonna put some time and work into it before I just give up!!

If i had it to do over i would too. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[RDRJR]

Does anyone offer an aftermarker barrel for the mini's close to the size of the factory origional? How hard would changing it be?

 

[Rbelote]

I dont know of a drop in barrel. A good smith could make you one.

Does anyone offer an aftermarker barrel for the mini's close to the size of the factory origional? How hard would changing it be?

 

[RDRJR]

Thanks, that could solve the slow spin problem.