Once more into the breach!

Strafer Gott · October 8, 2012, 02:01 PM

After a very bad experience with an early mini 14, I am determined to give Ruger another chance. I have located and am acquiring an NRA Mini 14 Ranch Rifle in 5.56. Motivation? That chubby little 16" barrel has got to be a major improvement over that skinny, whippy, problem child they had in prior models. I understand many subtle improvements have been made since 2005.
It's a cute baby M1A, and if the accuracy lives up to the promise, I expect to have a nice addition to the carbine rack. I'd like input from NRA edition owners, as these have been out since 2008.

stu925 · October 9, 2012, 08:24 PM

I think you'll be very pleased with the new Mini-14. Mine has been great, absolutely reliable and shoots pretty well (2" with factory ammo). I'm still in the process of working up a pet load for it but I imagine with the right combo of components I should be able to get the rifle down to 1" @ 100yds. Enjoy the rifle and shoot it a lot.

Stu

Strafer Gott · October 10, 2012, 07:58 AM

I plan on running my standard load of H335. I have a lot of reloading ahead, as I purchased many of the M193 bullets. I plan on using these for varmint hunting and plinking and 2" groups at 100 yards will be adequate. It's a little spendy for a truck gun, but it's certainly dressed for it. I love that over-molded stock.

MJ1 · October 10, 2012, 10:28 AM

Cool score, good on ya. Enjoy your new rifle and post some pictures.I have only seen one of these new Ruger's at the range and it was on the 25 and 50 yard range all day. The shooter had a tin of white boxes of LC 07 and was spending a lot of time adjusting things.

I had one of the stainless folders in the early 80's and it was zeroed out of the box at 100 yards but the first time we used it on moving targets rolling down a hill the barrel turned golden brown after the first 40 round magazine and then a darker brown another magazine later and never cleaned up again. I tried the chrom cleaner they sell at the bike stores for removing the blue from the exhaust headers back then but it didn't help. I don't recall if it lost accuracy after that because I sold it before it got any darker on the barrel.

I have never used H335 or the real 193's but I do have a load the girls like for 300 yards using bulk 55g FMJ FB pills and H4895 in LC 90 brass. Nothing special just something that shoots the same every time.

Cheers
..MJ..

hardhat harry · October 10, 2012, 11:49 AM

If you are so inclined: http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php

Clink on RUGER and scroll down to the Trigger Job link.

I sent mine off today to have the 2 stage job done. My 581 series with a 3-9x40 scope shoots sub-MOA.

stu925 · October 10, 2012, 07:44 PM

All I did with my trigger was polish the engagement surfaces in the trigger group. Worked like a charm for me it's no lighter than a factory trigger but it feels like since it now breaks so cleanly. I also retorqued the gas block screws which is supposed to help accuracy but I didn't notice any improvement.

Stu

Strafer Gott · October 10, 2012, 07:45 PM

Is anyone using the aperture sights, or did everyone scope. It's cool they come with rings, but I'm thinking aperture, just to keep the carry profile.

October 8, 2012, 02:01 PM	#1
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	Once more into the breach! After a very bad experience with an early mini 14, I am determined to give Ruger another chance. I have located and am acquiring an NRA Mini 14 Ranch Rifle in 5.56. Motivation? That chubby little 16" barrel has got to be a major improvement over that skinny, whippy, problem child they had in prior models. I understand many subtle improvements have been made since 2005. It's a cute baby M1A, and if the accuracy lives up to the promise, I expect to have a nice addition to the carbine rack. I'd like input from NRA edition owners, as these have been out since 2008.

October 10, 2012, 10:28 AM	#4
MJ1 Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2008 Posts: 329	;) Cool score, good on ya. Enjoy your new rifle and post some pictures.I have only seen one of these new Ruger's at the range and it was on the 25 and 50 yard range all day. The shooter had a tin of white boxes of LC 07 and was spending a lot of time adjusting things. I had one of the stainless folders in the early 80's and it was zeroed out of the box at 100 yards but the first time we used it on moving targets rolling down a hill the barrel turned golden brown after the first 40 round magazine and then a darker brown another magazine later and never cleaned up again. I tried the chrom cleaner they sell at the bike stores for removing the blue from the exhaust headers back then but it didn't help. I don't recall if it lost accuracy after that because I sold it before it got any darker on the barrel. I have never used H335 or the real 193's but I do have a load the girls like for 300 yards using bulk 55g FMJ FB pills and H4895 in LC 90 brass. Nothing special just something that shoots the same every time. Cheers ..MJ.. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" --Unknown Soldier-- Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid. - David Hackworth -

October 10, 2012, 11:49 AM	#5
hardhat harry Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2010 Location: I've moved... Posts: 233	If you are so inclined: http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php Clink on RUGER and scroll down to the Trigger Job link. I sent mine off today to have the 2 stage job done. My 581 series with a 3-9x40 scope shoots sub-MOA. __________________ "Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man."

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October 9, 2012, 08:24 PM	#2
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	I think you'll be very pleased with the new Mini-14. Mine has been great, absolutely reliable and shoots pretty well (2" with factory ammo). I'm still in the process of working up a pet load for it but I imagine with the right combo of components I should be able to get the rifle down to 1" @ 100yds. Enjoy the rifle and shoot it a lot. Stu

October 10, 2012, 07:58 AM	#3
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	I plan on running my standard load of H335. I have a lot of reloading ahead, as I purchased many of the M193 bullets. I plan on using these for varmint hunting and plinking and 2" groups at 100 yards will be adequate. It's a little spendy for a truck gun, but it's certainly dressed for it. I love that over-molded stock.

October 10, 2012, 07:44 PM	#6
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	All I did with my trigger was polish the engagement surfaces in the trigger group. Worked like a charm for me it's no lighter than a factory trigger but it feels like since it now breaks so cleanly. I also retorqued the gas block screws which is supposed to help accuracy but I didn't notice any improvement. Stu

October 10, 2012, 07:45 PM	#7
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	Is anyone using the aperture sights, or did everyone scope. It's cool they come with rings, but I'm thinking aperture, just to keep the carry profile.