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998 Posts
So I am back again. We have had three recent threads regarding the mini14 that have all got to the main drawback of the platform in short order, the inherent lack of accuracy compared to many quality rifles on the shelf today. While many say, "get an AR" accurate, cheap mags, pretty reliable etc...., some dont have that option or just prefer the look and ergos of the mini.
If you like the mini, and want to see how mine has improved with photos and hard data, this is your thread, if you want to tell me the AR is more accurate, you are preaching to the choir, I have three, including one that will shoot an 1-1/4 at 200 meters.
First, my mini a 582 series, straight out of the box. This photo was in a previous thread.
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This target was shot at either 40 or 50 meters. These early groups were 3inches + at i think 50 yards. that is 6-7 MOA.
EDIT ( just checked my notes, this target was 40 meters, 62grain green tip, grouped 3.25 a 4 inches for 7-8 MOA, )
Later, with handloads figured in, The rifle was shooting groups that averaged 3.5 MOA. Thats 3-1/2 inches center to center at 100yards with any fliers I called thrown out. Not so hot. The best group I could get was 2MOA with hand loads, some were over 5MOA close to 6. Vertical stringing was a problem with anhot barrel, as well as a tendency to put one near the center, then string 3-4 high and right.
I really liked this rifle , so I decided to try some aftermarket solutions.
First, the Accu-Strut.
Got it for 106 delivered, this is supposed to control barrel whip and work as a heat sink (not sync). Also supposed to make the rifle more stable by adding weight to the front. (8ounces)
Here it is with the strut installed, two clamps, two set screws, 10minutes if you read the directions, 5 if you do not.
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And here are the results, shot at fifty meters, with different bullet weights, and the results, the brand and load are written next to each group, fliers called at the time of the shot are x'ed out. The scope shot 4.5 inches high after the strut was installed, the un marked groups are from rezeroing the scope.
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The wolf 55grain gave me a 3/4 inch group, go figure, so did my hand loads.
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Worst group with green tip 62 grain
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i also got a 1.5 MOA group with 75grain Hornady steel match.
Clearly, the addition of the Accu-strut reduced my group size by almost half, and eliminated stringing. I feel it was well worth doing. I now feel confidnt to take this predator hunting and know it will do its job if I do mine.
I will follow up with any other modifications, I am thinking of a trigger job next. Any accuaracy improvment from here will be small however.
TRIGGER JOB UPDATE!!!
So I got the trigger job done,
Had this guy do it, http://www.greatwestgunsmithing.com/mini14.htm
$85 got it back in just about two weeks, feels super nice, a huge improvment.
Went to the Range today and shot several loads with new bullets and varying powders.
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Previously my best groups were 1.5 MOA, after the trigger work I had one at MOA, and seven out if 12 were 1 3/4 MOA or less, this is a huge improvement out of the 4 to 8 MOA I had stock. Total cost of upgrades, less than $190, total invested in rifle, $940 including tax.
The best group was 1moa with 55grain vmax and h335
The next best was 69 grain SMK hpbt and varget
My most consistent groups came with varget regardless of bullet weight, 1 3/4 was the best I saw with h335 once the vmax bullets were out of the equation. So varget for Sierra and H335 when I cn get more Hornady vmax. In any case, I now have an accurate mini 14, and learned a bit along the way.
If you like the mini, and want to see how mine has improved with photos and hard data, this is your thread, if you want to tell me the AR is more accurate, you are preaching to the choir, I have three, including one that will shoot an 1-1/4 at 200 meters.
First, my mini a 582 series, straight out of the box. This photo was in a previous thread.
This target was shot at either 40 or 50 meters. These early groups were 3inches + at i think 50 yards. that is 6-7 MOA.
EDIT ( just checked my notes, this target was 40 meters, 62grain green tip, grouped 3.25 a 4 inches for 7-8 MOA, )
Later, with handloads figured in, The rifle was shooting groups that averaged 3.5 MOA. Thats 3-1/2 inches center to center at 100yards with any fliers I called thrown out. Not so hot. The best group I could get was 2MOA with hand loads, some were over 5MOA close to 6. Vertical stringing was a problem with anhot barrel, as well as a tendency to put one near the center, then string 3-4 high and right.
I really liked this rifle , so I decided to try some aftermarket solutions.
First, the Accu-Strut.
Got it for 106 delivered, this is supposed to control barrel whip and work as a heat sink (not sync). Also supposed to make the rifle more stable by adding weight to the front. (8ounces)
Here it is with the strut installed, two clamps, two set screws, 10minutes if you read the directions, 5 if you do not.
And here are the results, shot at fifty meters, with different bullet weights, and the results, the brand and load are written next to each group, fliers called at the time of the shot are x'ed out. The scope shot 4.5 inches high after the strut was installed, the un marked groups are from rezeroing the scope.
The wolf 55grain gave me a 3/4 inch group, go figure, so did my hand loads.
Worst group with green tip 62 grain
i also got a 1.5 MOA group with 75grain Hornady steel match.
Clearly, the addition of the Accu-strut reduced my group size by almost half, and eliminated stringing. I feel it was well worth doing. I now feel confidnt to take this predator hunting and know it will do its job if I do mine.
I will follow up with any other modifications, I am thinking of a trigger job next. Any accuaracy improvment from here will be small however.
TRIGGER JOB UPDATE!!!
So I got the trigger job done,
Had this guy do it, http://www.greatwestgunsmithing.com/mini14.htm
$85 got it back in just about two weeks, feels super nice, a huge improvment.
Went to the Range today and shot several loads with new bullets and varying powders.
Previously my best groups were 1.5 MOA, after the trigger work I had one at MOA, and seven out if 12 were 1 3/4 MOA or less, this is a huge improvement out of the 4 to 8 MOA I had stock. Total cost of upgrades, less than $190, total invested in rifle, $940 including tax.
The best group was 1moa with 55grain vmax and h335
The next best was 69 grain SMK hpbt and varget
My most consistent groups came with varget regardless of bullet weight, 1 3/4 was the best I saw with h335 once the vmax bullets were out of the equation. So varget for Sierra and H335 when I cn get more Hornady vmax. In any case, I now have an accurate mini 14, and learned a bit along the way.
