Ruger mini-14 .5" groups IMR 8208 XBR

jambrdly · May 7, 2012, 09:25 PM

Hello:

This is a followup to an earlier post. I have been experimenting with using IMR 8208 for the mini-14. I am getting 1/2 inch five shot groups (average .53 measured center to center) with 22 grains IMR 8208 XBR and sierra 63 gr bullets. My mini-14 has a 1-9 twist rate (as per the Ruger help line). I have tried to use 55 and 69 grain bullets as well but the groups were an inch to an inch and a half with this powder.

If you are looking for a good load for your 1-9 mini-14, I strongly suggest you try this powder/bullet combo.

P.S. I also use an accu strut on my Mini-14

hagar · May 7, 2012, 10:02 PM

I found out the same thing, my (older) Mini loves the 64 gr WW PP bullets and the 63 Sierra. I used LC cases, Rem 7.5 primer, 25 grains of Accurate 2520, and more than once shot a 5 round group way under an inch.

griz · May 8, 2012, 06:42 AM

My older mini has never shot a half inch group unless the range was very short, but it also likes the Winchester 64 grain bullets. I bought a bunch of the Sierra 63 gr from a guy at a gun show that was cleaning out his stuff, but I don't think I've shot any yet.

steve4102 · May 8, 2012, 07:08 AM

How many rounds in your group? Give a twenty round group a try and see how consistent your groups are.

eldorendo · May 8, 2012, 06:34 PM

Five-shot groups are pretty much the "standard".

steve4102 · May 8, 2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Five-shot groups are pretty much the "standard".

Yeah, but not in the Mini, they through fliers and POI can change from one mag to the next. With a finicky rifle like the Mini, a five round group will tell little, 20 rounds, four mags of five, then come back and show the .5 accuracy.

stu925 · May 8, 2012, 07:50 PM

I'd be happy to get mine down to 1" unfortunately time has not been on my side so tweaking my current best load to do so is out of the question right now. As a side note I think a .5" 20 shot group might be a bit much to ask of any rifle. But a .5" average of 4 5 shot groups would be fantastic shooting from a Mini.

Stu

bfoosh006 · May 8, 2012, 09:02 PM

I think that is the best group I have ever read about from a Mini-14.

Congrats !

Chinny33 · May 8, 2012, 09:35 PM

ok seriously, were you shooting at a target 25yds away?

Bamashooter · May 8, 2012, 10:49 PM

Steve4102.......I get between 1.5-2'' groups after doing a 20rd. mag dump in my mini-14. My best 5 shot group is 1.25''. Ive never seen POI change from mag to mag and my ruger is anything but finicky. Trigger job, strut, and good handloads makes a huge difference. My mini is a 580 series skinny barrel. Go figure.

eldorendo · May 10, 2012, 06:56 PM

It's really hard to beat groups shot on a keyboard!

stu925 · May 10, 2012, 07:35 PM

My POI changes from the first round fired to subsequent rounds. First round fired from magazine is always 2" low and 2" left but that doesn't vary from magazine to magazine. I suspect this is due to the rifle not being cycled by the gas system on that first round. This may smooth out over time (I've got about 500 rounds through it) or it may not only time will tell.

Stu

May 7, 2012, 09:25 PM	#1
jambrdly Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Posts: 105	Ruger mini-14 .5" groups IMR 8208 XBR Hello: This is a followup to an earlier post. I have been experimenting with using IMR 8208 for the mini-14. I am getting 1/2 inch five shot groups (average .53 measured center to center) with 22 grains IMR 8208 XBR and sierra 63 gr bullets. My mini-14 has a 1-9 twist rate (as per the Ruger help line). I have tried to use 55 and 69 grain bullets as well but the groups were an inch to an inch and a half with this powder. If you are looking for a good load for your 1-9 mini-14, I strongly suggest you try this powder/bullet combo. P.S. I also use an accu strut on my Mini-14

May 7, 2012, 10:02 PM	#2
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	I found out the same thing, my (older) Mini loves the 64 gr WW PP bullets and the 63 Sierra. I used LC cases, Rem 7.5 primer, 25 grains of Accurate 2520, and more than once shot a 5 round group way under an inch. __________________ I don't have time for busy people

May 8, 2012, 09:35 PM	#9
Chinny33 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 248	lets be honest here ok seriously, were you shooting at a target 25yds away? __________________ PLAN PLAN PLAN A prudent man forsees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished Proverbs 27:12

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May 8, 2012, 06:42 AM	#3
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	My older mini has never shot a half inch group unless the range was very short, but it also likes the Winchester 64 grain bullets. I bought a bunch of the Sierra 63 gr from a guy at a gun show that was cleaning out his stuff, but I don't think I've shot any yet.

May 8, 2012, 07:08 AM	#4
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	How many rounds in your group? Give a twenty round group a try and see how consistent your groups are.

May 8, 2012, 06:34 PM	#5
eldorendo Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2012 Posts: 239	Five-shot groups are pretty much the "standard".

May 8, 2012, 07:50 PM	#7
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	I'd be happy to get mine down to 1" unfortunately time has not been on my side so tweaking my current best load to do so is out of the question right now. As a side note I think a .5" 20 shot group might be a bit much to ask of any rifle. But a .5" average of 4 5 shot groups would be fantastic shooting from a Mini. Stu

May 8, 2012, 09:02 PM	#8
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,089	I think that is the best group I have ever read about from a Mini-14. Congrats !

May 8, 2012, 10:49 PM	#10
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	Steve4102.......I get between 1.5-2'' groups after doing a 20rd. mag dump in my mini-14. My best 5 shot group is 1.25''. Ive never seen POI change from mag to mag and my ruger is anything but finicky. Trigger job, strut, and good handloads makes a huge difference. My mini is a 580 series skinny barrel. Go figure.

May 10, 2012, 06:56 PM	#11
eldorendo Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2012 Posts: 239	It's really hard to beat groups shot on a keyboard!

May 10, 2012, 07:35 PM	#12
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	My POI changes from the first round fired to subsequent rounds. First round fired from magazine is always 2" low and 2" left but that doesn't vary from magazine to magazine. I suspect this is due to the rifle not being cycled by the gas system on that first round. This may smooth out over time (I've got about 500 rounds through it) or it may not only time will tell. Stu