Ruger Mini 14

[Exhaust3]

4kedHorn,
Mine is a Colt Pre-ban A2 (handle top), my father purchased it in 1984 for $289, and it was shot for the first time in 1988 on a deer hunt. We didn't shoot it much until he gave it to me in 1994. It's scoped with a Simmons Whitetail Classic 3-9x42. It's probably got 1500 rounds through it now, but shoots like a champ. The 1 in 8" twist is for the .223 tracer, pretty long bullet for the 223. I want another AR in a Rock River Varminter with a 20" tube, but as with all things, I gotta wait [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] But I have consistently hit PD's at 300 yards with Nosler's 77 gr. Competition bullets. Lotta fun [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Matt Regalia]

I have a Heavy Barrel AR-15. Its a Rock River arms with 1 in 8 twist and flat top receiver. She will hold 1.5 inches at 300 meters all day long with 75 gr MK's. Killed many foxes, coyotes, and groundhogs. The ocasional sqirrel head shot at 100yds [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

She is heavy though.... 12 pounds with 24" barrel and full mag.

Matt

[ 01-26-2004: Message edited by: Matt Regalia ]

[4ked Horn]

H-BAR.
My misunderstanding then. I always thought that the 1-7 or 1-8 was for anything over the 64 gr winchester psp loading like the tracers and the 75 gr A Max stuff. I thought that was why winchester chose the 64 gr as their lightest "deer" rated load because it was about the largest thing that would stabilize in a 1-10 1-12 twist gun should someone choose to grab a .223 bolt gun and go deer hunting.

I suppose I learn something every day.

[ 01-26-2004: Message edited by: 4ked Horn ]

[ryan m]

everybody makes fun of the mini's but they shoot great PATTERNS, and they won't fail doing it. I second the AR reccommendation if you want a decent group.

[Roadrunner]

The Mini-14 is indeed a very poor choice from many standpoints. The factory cost for the barrels is about $15.00. The factory accuracy requirement is 6" groups at 100 yrds. There are NO spare parts available (unlike the AR-15). If your Mini-14 breaks for any reason you have too return it to the factory for God only knows how long. The last American Rifleman I read listed the "suggested retail price" at $725.00. For that kind of money you can get way more rifle by getting an AR-15. I was at a gun show today and they were selling NIB Bushmasters for $750. The AR-15 is a VASTLY superior weapon system then the Mini-14. Accuracy is 1 to 1.5 MOA. Spare parts are everywhere. Mil-Spec mags are everywhere. I just don't see any reason on God's green earth to ever have a Mini-14.