Mini 14 owners, accuracy?

[GeauxLSU]

At one point I wanted one and then sort of assumed I'd go EBR, now I'm back to a coin flip.
What sort of accuracy (or lack of) have those that have owned them achieved? Anyone have the target version?

 

[Ballplayer]

I've never had a accuracy problem with mine but I did'nt get mine for paper punching (I'm not a puncher), but for a target rifle I think you'll be disappointed compared to others. Very dependable feeding and made for heavy duty use, forgiving if abused, I do think its louder compared to others but that could be just in my head though.

 

[IdoKnowSteve]

I had a mini 30 that was dead on balls accurate - but it HATED cheap ammo.

 

[Chuckdog]

As already posted they aren't paper punchers. Over the years I've owned a pile of them. I still love the Mini's, but they are what they are. That doesn't make them bad. They're very reliable fun to shoot carbines.

If you buy one thinking of moa groups, you'll likely be very disappointed.

 

[D_P_X]

One of my favorite ways to target shoot my mini 14 rancher is to set up a flock of clay birds at 100 yards. I can more or less take them down in one shot each at that range. IIRC I did this a week ago with 15 birds and a 20 round magazine easily took care of all 15.

 

[art]

I had a early series 183 terrible accuracy, but unbelievable durability. It was used and rough shape when I got it, fired over 5000 rounds and never cleaned the gun, it stayed behind the seat of my truck and never failed to fire try that with a Ar. I have a 580 and also a 581 stainless that are a lots more accurate, the later series have a heavy barrel. Also they shoot the cheap steel case ammo great.

 

[Cadcom]

The newer 580 series shoot great. Accuracy is fine.
I've had one of the 180 series and a 580 and 581.
I sold my AR and will be looking for another Mini when/if things get back to normal.
The price of mags is the only drawback to me. Use Ruger mags and you'll have no problems, other than the cost.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496878

 

[Chuckdog]

I've had 3 of the 580 series Mini's and I haven't seen any distinguishable improvement in overall accuracy.

One of the three was a 6.8 spc, so we'll discount that one. It was reasonably accurate, but not on par with the average AR 6.8's I've owned and shot.

I'm not knocking the Mini's, just suggesting reasonable expectations from them. I love the platform, but I won't ever pick a Mini for precision shooting.

 

[RiverBend]

Quote
"One of my favorite ways to target shoot my mini 14 rancher is to set up a flock of clay birds at 100 yards. I can more or less take them down in one shot each at that range. IIRC I did this a week ago with 15 birds and a 20 round magazine easily took care of all 15. "

Pictures of the set up & them falling from mini hitys, or it didn't happen, hard to believe by a mini owner of 25 years, they just don't group that well at 100 yards unless accurized.

 

[wildmantaz]

I bought one back in the 80's, the first year the stainless ones came out. it was not accurate, sold it and bought a Colt SP1 and never looked back. I have had several chances to buy them on the cheap but always passed.

Some people like them but they aren't for me.