Ruger mini-14 ranch rifle

kenman · 01-12-2007, 09:17 AM

Anyone have one and have any pro or con comments about it? My wife said I could get a new rifle for my b-day and I was thinking about picking up one for popping a few yotes. My longest shot would be about 100 yards (probably closer to 75)...and I've already made up my mind that I do not want an AR.

Red Lion · 01-12-2007, 09:38 AM

You read the article inRifle Shooterdidn't you?Rifle Shooterhas an article on the new/revised mini-14 and reports that accuracy is much better now that manufacturing is to much tighter tolerances. They report that it can shoot around 2" @ 115 yards. It is a cool little rifle that I will have to put about 5th or 6th on my list of firearms to buy.

longrifle1000 · 01-12-2007, 10:15 AM

A standard Mini-14 will do what you want to do. Mine averaged 2 1/2" groups at 100 yards with a scope. And that is certainly accurate enough to whack a yote at that distance.My only complaint about mine was it had a pretty good muzzle blast with the 18 1/2" bbl. Good luck

Aught Six · 01-12-2007, 10:16 AM

They're handy and fun to shoot, and not too expensive either. The newer model definitely tends to produce much tighter groups than the older ones. Either will generally get the job done at 100 yards.

Duffy · 01-12-2007, 10:24 AM

I had a Ranch model several years back. I bought it to shoot coyotes and maybe some long range ground squirrels once in awhile. It was fun to shoot but not as accurate as I wanted so I sold it off. Seeing the article in "Rifle Shooter" makes me want to get a newer model that shoots better.

Robin in Rocky

HEAD0001 · 01-12-2007, 10:38 AM

I have had a couple of them. IMO they are alright for home defense, but I can think of better firearms. I could never get mine to shoot with any accuracy that I considered minimally acceptable. I saw a new one inGuns and Ammo magazine last month. Maybe Ruger finally got it together. But I would not bet on it. Tom.

Ridge Runner · 01-12-2007, 02:49 PM

my advise, and I have had a few mini's, unless you wanna lay down big bucks to get acceptable accuracy, get a remington 7615 it'll shoot around 1 MOA and is almost as fast as an auto. the main changes in the new mini are the stock and recoil buffer, the problem is the barrel, put a good barrel on one and they shoot well but they are pricey, last one I had done was 565.00 bucks.
RR