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What do ya think of this Rifle.

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by taco084gb, Apr 16, 2010.

  1. Apr 16, 2010 at 2:33 AM
    #1
    taco084gb

    taco084gb [OP] No matter where you go there you are.

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    Im looking at getting one of these and like what Ruger has done with the harmonic balancer on the end and the Bull Barrel. So was curious as to what everyone thought about it and If you have one, would you be willing to give me some positive and negative feed back on it. Also mention some other models that would be similiar to this one. Thanx
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Apr 16, 2010 at 4:04 AM
    #2
    kinetik873

    kinetik873 Well-Known Member

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    The Mini 14/30 is a great little rifle, there were some accuracy issues a few years ago that sent ruger back to the design board. The magazines are not AR compatible however, thats what broke the deal for me. IMO, if your looking at the .223 mini 14, I'd just spend the money and get an AR type weapon.
     
  3. Apr 16, 2010 at 5:52 AM
    #3
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    There is soooooo much aftermarket support and accessories for the AR platform.
     
  4. Apr 16, 2010 at 5:54 AM
    #4
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    the mini 14 has alot of aftermarket stuff as well, but I have heard they have accuracy issues. plus they are anywhere from 600-750 bucks. Might as well get an AR
     
  5. Apr 16, 2010 at 7:08 AM
    #5
    NraFan

    NraFan Join the NRA! Protect your freedom!

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    Well, I think the mini 14 is a good choice for Cali residents. If you dont want to walk the thin line of legality with an AR, I think this is your best bet. I have heard they have greatly improved their accuracy with these rifles. Not to familiar with the exact rifle you are showing, but in general this is a good set up. I think the AR would be a better choice in general, but in California this is the next best thing. Good luck!
     
  6. Apr 16, 2010 at 8:36 AM
    #6
    takern

    takern Well-Known Member

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    the mini 14 is a blast to shoot but it is not really all that accurate. mine is a 92 model i think and i cant hold but about a 3" group at 100 yards. but its a great little plinker or something to put in the back of your truck for driving around the farm or whatever. tough as hell
     
  7. Apr 16, 2010 at 8:49 AM
    #7
    BirdTRD

    BirdTRD Unsuspectingly striking from above

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    I used to have a mini 14. It was a lot of fun to shoot but the spaghetti noodle barrel did not provide excellent accuracy. Certainly more than acceptable accuracy for self defense but no impresive groupings. I've heard that new barrel is nice and in CA you don't have to worry about legality.
     
  8. Apr 16, 2010 at 3:48 PM
    #8
    Gentle Ben

    Gentle Ben Well-Known Member

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    First question is what do you want to do with it? If you want a rugged, reliable plinker, the Mini-14 is a great choice. If you want a practical fighting carbine, get an AR.

    I've owned several Mini 14s, including a factory full-auto version, and in my opinion they aren't anything more than a plinker. I'm not sure if the harmonic balancer is Ruger's attempt at sardonic humor, as I think it would take more than that to accurize a Mini-14.

    If you're looking for something practical, get an AR, even a neutered one. AR's are usually far more accurate, upgradeable, and easy to work on. Also, considering that the magazine is at the heart of a carbine's reliability, the fact that good AR mags are cheap and plentiful, while Mini 14 mags are a crapshoot unless you get factory (expensive) mags), the cons of the Mini 14 are almost equal to the pros of the AR platform.

    The Mini 14 is a 'nice' gun, despite its 'minute of barn door' accuracy, but is an archaic design, and upgrading it with aftermarket parts is a clumsy endeavor at best.
     
  9. Apr 16, 2010 at 3:57 PM
    #9
    philobeddoe

    philobeddoe ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

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    well ...


    i got AR's and AK's, among others



    but i find myself plinking mostly with my Mini-14 and my SKS

    easy to shoot, easy to clean and maintain

    and you don't get carried away modding them

    not accurate?

    well, what exactly are you shooting at, and how far away is it?


    also, i picked my Mini-14 up on Gunbroker, and i paid less than $400

    shazam!
     
  10. Apr 16, 2010 at 4:22 PM
    #10
    Vidman

    Vidman Protected by Glock

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    Not Enough
    Just remember.. every pipe likes a different round. you can go out and buy 5 mini 14,s and not any of them will like the same round. buy if you want it to shoot really good groups...............Reload. I have a safe full of guns and reload for every one of them. Yes it does cost more to get set up, but once you are, it is amazing how well a cheap gun will shoot....Just remember----------Every pipe likes a different round.
     
  11. Apr 16, 2010 at 4:42 PM
    #11
    Dimonback

    Dimonback Well-Known Member

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    I had the mini 14, and was so disgusted with the accuracy I got rid of it right away.
     
  12. Apr 16, 2010 at 5:14 PM
    #12
    andrew862

    andrew862 Well-Known Member

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    I love my Mini 14, it feeds great, shoots well, but a a few rapid magazines and the barrel does sometimes heat up and cause the Point of Impact to drift a bit. Mine is not the Target version like the one shown, just the ranch rifle.

    I did eventually buy an AR and I tend to reach for the AR more frequently but the Mini 14 did cost a lot less and is still a lot of fun. Ruger makes nice firearms.
     
  13. Apr 16, 2010 at 5:32 PM
    #13
    Griztaco

    Griztaco Well-Known Member

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    I don't have one, but it looks cool, and to me, that counts as something.
     
  14. Apr 16, 2010 at 10:38 PM
    #14
    taco084gb

    taco084gb [OP] No matter where you go there you are.

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    Thanks everyone for the answers. I unfortuanatly live in California so Buying an AR is almost impossible I think, cause I did start looking at remingtons AR's and liked them a lot more.
    My main use of this gun is just plinking and occasional trip to the fields for coyote shooting.
    But as what most of you are saying is the acuuracy on these guns are not so hot. But I am not planing on getting in the 1 inch groups and Im not able to reload as of now. But I like the carbine style action as similiar to my M1 garand and 30 carbine. I was liking the Ruger for this.
     
  15. Apr 18, 2010 at 3:04 PM
    #15
    Packman73

    Packman73 ^^^^ 3%er ^^^^

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    I wouldn't mind having one but I wouldn't take it over an AR15.
     
  16. Apr 18, 2010 at 3:16 PM
    #16
    Dimonback

    Dimonback Well-Known Member

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    I guess I could qualify this with the fact that I was building whistle pig guns at the time. Those things would take the hairs off a bee's ass.

    You Idaho's ought to know what I'm talking about.
     
  17. Apr 18, 2010 at 3:20 PM
    #17
    Incognito

    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

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    I have a Mini 14 Ranch rifle and it's been a blast to shoot, no accuracy problems that I can recall. Sure it's not a sleek as an AR, but it's a nice reliable weapon that's done well for me.
     
  18. Apr 18, 2010 at 10:31 PM
    #18
    JESSMAN

    JESSMAN Well-Known Member

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    :cool:I have a mini 30!!! love it !! Get it it sweet!!!!
     
  19. Apr 21, 2010 at 8:40 PM
    #19
    taco084gb

    taco084gb [OP] No matter where you go there you are.

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    [​IMG]
    Well everyone I made a slight change in what Im getting. I just ordered one of these instead and it is legal in Calif. But with a 10 round Mag. It is a Springfield SOCOM in a 308. Should be gettin it in a few days from Gunbroker.com. A little more higher price than the Ruger but was told it was a better gun all around than the Ruger. Also a little more powerful as well.:D
     
  20. Apr 21, 2010 at 8:48 PM
    #20
    thai fyter

    thai fyter Well-Known Member

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    Beautiful weapon. I had the chance to put about 300 rounds through one of these the other day. Very manageable and pretty darn accurate sans optics. My only complaint is that the receiver for the magazine is a little tight and usually requires some wiggling to get it to seat. Other than that, it was a blast. Good choice.
     

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