Mini 14 putting a dent in cases

ranchito457 · April 29, 2013, 09:26 PM

I just picked up a new ruger mini 14 tactical rifle cleaned it and took it out and ran 200 rounds through it without a problem.The issue I'm having is-I just unloaded the spent cases for reloading and noticed about half way down the spent cases there is a dent in every one of them.I ran independence 55 grain 5.56 ammo.Any ideas how to correct this.

Thank you

ranchito457 · April 29, 2013, 09:31 PM

Here is what its looking like.

Nine the Ranger · April 29, 2013, 09:57 PM

I've noticed similar problem with my Mini as well. The dents weren't that big though.

I wonder what the problem is.

Bamashooter · April 29, 2013, 09:57 PM

Try a 1911 style recoil buffer. My mini-14 dents the brass just not as bad as yours seems to be. Maybe after a few hundred rounds downrange it will smooth out. I still use my mini-14 brass. When I resize most of the dent is gone. Ive reloaded hundreds of pieces of brass like that without issue.

the rifleer · April 29, 2013, 11:38 PM

That's odd, my mini 14 dents the case, but it is at the very edge where the bullet meets the case.

Does your mini 14 throw the brass like 15 feet like mine does?

**JohnKSa** · April 29, 2013, 11:56 PM

A real simple fix might be to find the place that the brass is hitting (look for the marks on the receiver (or op-rod) left by the brass) and put a stick-on pad of some sort in that spot if it's somewhere a stick-on pad would work.

Maybe a felt pad, or maybe something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Self-adhesive-.../dp/B001JASGH4

If your gun is stainless, and you can find the spot that's doing the denting, you might try rounding that edge/corner to minimize the dent.

An adjustable gas block could probably be tuned to reduce/eliminate the denting if you want to spend the money on the part and the time getting it installed.

tobnpr · April 30, 2013, 08:18 PM

Scope on it?

My old Ranch would sling brass to the other end of the firing line.

Try a 1911 buffer in front of the op rod.

ranchito457 · April 30, 2013, 08:59 PM

Thanks guys for the ideas.This thing shoots the brass at least 15 feet.I'm going to order the buffer and see what happens-at least I can still reload the cases-just found it a little weird how it would dent up the cases like that.
Thanks again-I'll post an update after I change the buffer
If anyone come across one let me know

stu925 · May 1, 2013, 07:20 PM

If there's a scope on it the brass is probably hitting the scope. What series Mini is it? Look at the first 3 digits of the serial, that's the series.

Stu

Bart B. · May 2, 2013, 07:05 AM

Garands and M14/M1A rifles had the same problem. It was caused by a strong ejector spring that pushed fired cases out of the bolt face with much gusto. The case spun around as its mouth cleared the breech and came back with enough force to dent its body against the op rod hump. The brass smear on the op rod showed where it hit it. There's a brass (gold?) colored smear somewhere on that Mini 14 where the cases are bouncing off of some metal part.

Solution was to cut a turn or two off the ejector spring until empty case didn't get pushed out of the bolt face so darned hard. Ideally, when the ejector spring was "just riight," the empties would get pushed forward by the bolt as it started forward and they would land out at 2-o'clock about 2 to 3 feet away.

So, cut a turn off the ejector spring, shoot a few rounds then evaluate. Test again with another turn cut off if needed.

Skans · May 3, 2013, 09:10 AM

Install one of Accuracy System's adjustable gas blocks - that should solve the problem without buffers, etc.

deepcreek · May 3, 2013, 09:28 AM

That's about how my Mini 14 used to dent brass, some people find out where it is hitting and put a small rubber pad there.

Crazy88Fingers · May 6, 2013, 02:13 AM

Quote:

The case spun around as its mouth cleared the breech and came back with enough force to dent its body against the op rod hump. The brass smear on the op rod showed where it hit it. There's a brass (gold?) colored smear somewhere on that Mini 14 where the cases are bouncing off of some metal part.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S FROM?!

I've noticed brass spots on my op rod and couldn't figure out what the heck was causing it.

Mine dents cases too. Though closer to the shoulder and not as deep as yours, Ranchito. These guns are known for their "rough" operating, but that's what makes them so reliable.

johnwilliamson062 · May 7, 2013, 09:30 PM

The extraction system on a Ruger is extremely over powered from factory. I have an adjustable gas system and it runs reliably on the lowest setting and I only need to check the two shooting positions to my right for brass instead of the five to my right.

SVTCobra306 · May 7, 2013, 09:41 PM

If I ever find a piece of brass from mine I'll let you know.. I think the brass flies farther and more accurately than the bullet on mine LOL.

johnwilliamson062 · May 7, 2013, 11:06 PM

I just read the brass flinging effect referred to as integrated right flank suppression.

ranchito457 · May 8, 2013, 08:32 PM

Thanks Everybody for the help!
I think I'm just gonna have to come to terms
that its a rough rifle on its brass.But on a better note at least it
cycles perfectly!
Thanks again..
At least I know I'm not alone on this one!

April 29, 2013, 09:26 PM	#1
ranchito457 Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2013 Location: Manhattan,Illinois Posts: 179	Mini 14 putting a dent in cases I just picked up a new ruger mini 14 tactical rifle cleaned it and took it out and ran 200 rounds through it without a problem.The issue I'm having is-I just unloaded the spent cases for reloading and noticed about half way down the spent cases there is a dent in every one of them.I ran independence 55 grain 5.56 ammo.Any ideas how to correct this. Thank you

April 29, 2013, 09:57 PM	#3
Nine the Ranger Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 248	I've noticed similar problem with my Mini as well. The dents weren't that big though. I wonder what the problem is. __________________ 'A Vote is like a Rifle; It's usefulness depends upon the character of the User.'-Theodore Roosevelt

April 29, 2013, 11:38 PM	#5
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	That's odd, my mini 14 dents the case, but it is at the very edge where the bullet meets the case. Does your mini 14 throw the brass like 15 feet like mine does? __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people. Last edited by the rifleer; April 29, 2013 at 11:52 PM.

April 29, 2013, 11:56 PM	#6
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,989	A real simple fix might be to find the place that the brass is hitting (look for the marks on the receiver (or op-rod) left by the brass) and put a stick-on pad of some sort in that spot if it's somewhere a stick-on pad would work. Maybe a felt pad, or maybe something like this. http://www.amazon.com/Self-adhesive-.../dp/B001JASGH4 If your gun is stainless, and you can find the spot that's doing the denting, you might try rounding that edge/corner to minimize the dent. An adjustable gas block could probably be tuned to reduce/eliminate the denting if you want to spend the money on the part and the time getting it installed. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

April 30, 2013, 08:18 PM	#7
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Scope on it? My old Ranch would sling brass to the other end of the firing line. Try a 1911 buffer in front of the op rod. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

April 29, 2013, 09:57 PM	#4
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	Try a 1911 style recoil buffer. My mini-14 dents the brass just not as bad as yours seems to be. Maybe after a few hundred rounds downrange it will smooth out. I still use my mini-14 brass. When I resize most of the dent is gone. Ive reloaded hundreds of pieces of brass like that without issue.

April 30, 2013, 08:59 PM	#8
ranchito457 Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2013 Location: Manhattan,Illinois Posts: 179	Thanks guys for the ideas.This thing shoots the brass at least 15 feet.I'm going to order the buffer and see what happens-at least I can still reload the cases-just found it a little weird how it would dent up the cases like that. Thanks again-I'll post an update after I change the buffer If anyone come across one let me know

May 1, 2013, 07:20 PM	#9
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	If there's a scope on it the brass is probably hitting the scope. What series Mini is it? Look at the first 3 digits of the serial, that's the series. Stu

May 2, 2013, 07:05 AM	#10
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Garands and M14/M1A rifles had the same problem. It was caused by a strong ejector spring that pushed fired cases out of the bolt face with much gusto. The case spun around as its mouth cleared the breech and came back with enough force to dent its body against the op rod hump. The brass smear on the op rod showed where it hit it. There's a brass (gold?) colored smear somewhere on that Mini 14 where the cases are bouncing off of some metal part. Solution was to cut a turn or two off the ejector spring until empty case didn't get pushed out of the bolt face so darned hard. Ideally, when the ejector spring was "just riight," the empties would get pushed forward by the bolt as it started forward and they would land out at 2-o'clock about 2 to 3 feet away. So, cut a turn off the ejector spring, shoot a few rounds then evaluate. Test again with another turn cut off if needed.

May 3, 2013, 09:10 AM	#11
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Install one of Accuracy System's adjustable gas blocks - that should solve the problem without buffers, etc.

May 3, 2013, 09:28 AM	#12
deepcreek Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 320	That's about how my Mini 14 used to dent brass, some people find out where it is hitting and put a small rubber pad there.

May 7, 2013, 09:30 PM	#14
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	The extraction system on a Ruger is extremely over powered from factory. I have an adjustable gas system and it runs reliably on the lowest setting and I only need to check the two shooting positions to my right for brass instead of the five to my right.

May 7, 2013, 09:41 PM	#15
SVTCobra306 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Posts: 434	If I ever find a piece of brass from mine I'll let you know.. I think the brass flies farther and more accurately than the bullet on mine LOL.

May 7, 2013, 11:06 PM	#16
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	I just read the brass flinging effect referred to as integrated right flank suppression.

May 8, 2013, 08:32 PM	#17
ranchito457 Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2013 Location: Manhattan,Illinois Posts: 179	Thanks Everybody for the help! I think I'm just gonna have to come to terms that its a rough rifle on its brass.But on a better note at least it cycles perfectly! Thanks again.. At least I know I'm not alone on this one!