All started well, and the first string I shot, every round was on the 8" plate at 100M. I handed it to my friend, who is not a shooter yet, and every shot was a miss. Not really unexpected. New shooter. So I took the rifle back and fired again, and suddenly I couldn't land a round on the steel to save my life. Every round was hitting close, but only the odd one actually hit steel despite my firing from the bench with and using the sling.
Fortunately I redeemed myself to an extent with my .45 Shield on the steel pates at 25m, but still...
Any thoughts?
I had an early Mini14 in stainless, and group sizes would double with the second magazine if it wasn't allowed to cool.
ReplyDeleteYep, overheated... Typical of the stainless version.
ReplyDeleteAnd now you know why I no longer own a stainless Mini-14.
ReplyDeleteI have AK's that are more accurate....The first 10 shots or so were right on the point of aim. Then the thing wandered. I have had two, and they both acted that way. Lots of folks encounter this issue, and not just with the stainless version.
Pretty much a known issue, if you research it.
I've heard plenty about it. Just hadn't seen it before in this rifle. This isn't one that I shoot very often but needless to say...not pleased.
DeleteI bought one of the first ranch rifles when they came out. It had a wooden top shroud over the barrel. First shot was always dead on target.All subsequent shots were anybody's guess where they would land. Sold it when I couldn't correct the problem. Skinny barrel heated up and threw bullets everywhere. There is a fix for this which is a stabilizing brace clamped to the barrel. Look it up online for more details.
ReplyDeleteThey are really cool looking guns, but outside of that not accurate for the above reasons.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the AC-556 is truly a great fun version.
The Mini 14's claim to fame is reliability. That Garand style action is stable as granite. Accuracy.... not so much.
ReplyDeleteYeah, now you know...Ruger Ranch rifles aren't known for being accurate once the barrel heats and Ruger doesn't care.
ReplyDeleteSell it
Ruger has come out with a Pistol Caliber Carbine that looks good:
https://ruger.com/products/pcCarbine/models.html
and CMMG has an AR styled PCC in 9mm and 45 ACP that uses a delayed blowback action that really reduces recoil..
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2018/1/22/review-cmmg-mkg-guard-45-acp-pistol-caliber-carbine/
Go look at the GB's rear sight. Notice the stamped metal peep wiggles. Does not help accuracy at all!!! Then check the weight of the bullets used. Gun is more set up for 55gr 5.56 than any other weight.
ReplyDeleteI've seen where most Ranch Rifle owners replace the existing Ruger sights with more robust systems, and they say the stronger, better sights help with the accuracy issue.
DeleteI've not experienced this first hand, not having a RR, but I've heard it's a thing.
Good luck with fixing your accuracy issues.
And you thought the reason the early Mini-14 came with a 5 round mag was Bill Ruger's ideas regarding large cap mags. Full disclosure, I have an ranch rifle circa 1988. It's fun to shoot, reliable and accurate enough for plinking or sub 100 yd social work. Not a tack driver by any means. but I usually let it cool between 20 round mags.
ReplyDeleteI came across this place a couple of years ago;
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/mini_14_30_accessories.php#Ruger_Mini_Stock_Selection
They can re-chamber for different calibers, too. If I ever wanted to go the 300 route, I'd have my mini rechambered to avoid any possibility of putting the wrong food into the AR.
Hey Murphy;
ReplyDeleteI learned something new..I never heard of that problem with the Ruger, but that being said, I never owned one.
The biggest and most well-known problem with poor accuracy in Mini-14s, as far as I am aware, stems from the barrels flexing and bending when fired. The early Mini 14s suffered miserably from that issue. Ruger corrected the problem. Mini 14s serialized with the prefix 580 or higher have a redesigned barrel that supposedly does not suffer that problem. Then again, I found this article which in essence says the problem still exists: https://www.offthegridnews.com/self-defense/the-ruger-mini-14s-biggest-problem-and-how-to-fix-it/
ReplyDeleteThen there is that other issue of the rear sight being loose. I contacted Ruger about mine because the second of third time I fired it, I noticed my groups had opened considerably. When I checked over my Mini 14 I noticed that the rear peep aperture was loose and wiggling when I moved the rifle. I contacted Ruger and an arsehat in their Customer Service department told be to pour Loctite over the threads of the rear sight!!!!!!!!!!! I would have thought that would have assured the sight could never be adjusted again. He also said I could send it in to Ruger, it has been sitting unfired many, many, months later. Sooner or later I will order a replacement sight with windage and elevation knobs. Does anyone know of a good aftermarket rear sight.
All the best,
Glenn B
One of my friends uses this:
Deletehttp://www.tech-sights.com/product/mini200-sight-for-the-ruger-mini-14-and-ranch-rifles/
They also make them for the 10-22, which I have used. Very nice.
Oh! My shooting has been curtailed because if it isn't pouring rain I'm sick or getting over surgery. But...I wanted a mini-14. Now I know I need to put the money in what I have instead.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a rear sight issue this might help: http://www.tech-sights.com/mini-products/
ReplyDeleteBut if it's the barrel...
I've shot a couple of Mini-14s and nothing about it made me want one.
I had a choice a few months back between buying a Ruger Mini-14 and a S&W Model 27.
ReplyDeleteBought the 27.