Is a .223 w/18.5" barrell accurate out to 300+?

[game4lunch]

I'm seriously looking at a Ruger Mini-14 in.223. But it only has an 18 1/2" barrel (1:9" RH twist).
I would be using it for prarie dog up to coyote and would equip it with say a 4-24X40variable scope.
How accurate out to 300 or more yards will it be with just an 18 1/2" barrel?
Should I pay the extra and get the Mini-14 Target rifle with a 22" barrel.
Or are they still an 18 1/2" barrel with a harmonic dampener?

[eldeguello]

ORIGINAL: game4lunch

I'm seriously looking at a Ruger Mini-14 in.223. But it only has an 18 1/2" barrel (1:9" RH twist).
I would be using it for prarie dog up to coyote and would equip it with say a 4-24X40variable scope.
How accurate out to 300 or more yards will it be with just an 18 1/2" barrel?
Should I pay the extra and get the Mini-14 Target rifle with a 22" barrel.
Or are they still an 18 1/2" barrel with a harmonic dampener?

An 18" barrel is as good as any length; however, the Mini-14's have gained a super-poor rep. for accuracy! Supposedly, Ruger has cured all that ailed this modle. But I would let someone else be the first to try the "improved" ones.......

(Note that barrel length has no effect on accuracy at all, as long as the tube is not too short to get the bullet spinning. 2" is enough for this!

IF you intend to shoot prairie dogs at 300+ yards, you need a good bolt-action varmint rig, not a semi-auto.

[stalkingbear]

As much as I like rugers,unless you get the target version,you'll probably be disappointed by it's accuracy. If you want a truly accurate mini 14,get the regular version and have a gunsmith install a match barrel/bed it. The other option,which I reccomend,is to get a bull barreled AR15 or build 1 yourself. The barrel length makes NO difference on accuracy so a 16" barrel will have the same capability of accuracy as a 24" barrel. The only thing you'll sacrifice is some velocity,not enough to worry about however.

[kelbro]

I have a 16" 223 that is accurate out to 300 but it is also a bull barrel. I have not seen, though they may exist, a mini 14 that was accurate past 50 yds.

[Briman]

Spend the money on a bolt gun or an AR-15.

[game4lunch]

I know there are many other guns and featuresthat willprovide "more" accuracy, but my facination here is the Mini-14 semi-auto.
And didn't want to be more disatisfied with it'sperformance than the price would allow. If it is a short range plinker . . . then it is way overpriced.
I'd rather spend $'s on a T3 or Savage.

[falcon]

Spend the money on a bolt gun or an AR-15.

+1
Had a Mini-14 in the 70s. It was not nearly as accurate as my Russian made SKS. A friend went out and bought a new Mini-14 this yearagainst the advice of several folks, including me.He is sorry he ever saw the thing.The CZ527 is a great bolt action rifle built on a minature Mauser action. Mine makes 1" three shot groups at 200 yards.

[Briman]

If it is a short range plinker . . . then it is way overpriced.

Ruger actually advertised the mini-14 at one time as something like "Worlds most expensive plinking rifle." I'm not making that up

[Doe Dumper]

Them Mini 14's are good reliable guns...but they aint accurate guns...lol.

[Ridge Runner]

I have 2 mini's that shoot very well, I do however have enough invested in them to buy 3 AR's with good glass on them. If you want a semi for pd shooting, the AR is the way to go!
even the target model mini's from the reports I've read are not pd capable.
RR