Ruger Mini - 14
 

I just shot one of my friends Ruger Mini- 14's at a range today and absolutly loved it, however when i started reading reviews on the internet tonight it kind of scared me away from them. I only read 1 or 2 good reviews among a sea of bad reviews about accuracy and reliability, however these reviews were from several years ago*maybe in the newer versions these problems weredealt with*. The .223 is a solid caliber to complete my rifle collection for now (Ruger 10/22, *Mini - 14*, 30-06) but im worried about accuracy and reliability, it appealed to me b.c of its reputation as a solid ranch gun meaning it was rugged and would get the job done. I would be using it for hogs and doe and anything inbetween. Just wanted to hear what you guys think

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

I had a Mini for a few years and it functioned perfectly. But it was lacking in the accuracy department, in a way. With a scope, it averaged 3" groups at 100 yards, and 5" at 200. Certainly not a tack driver, but it isn't meant to be. If you want a more accurate semi 223 look into an AR. But it worked for what I wanted and that was a varmint rig capable out to 200 yards. And it accounted for several yotes in the 100-200 yard range. Good luck

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

Mini-14 have never been known to be hyper accurate. But there are some ways to make them more accurate. I'm sure you can look up those ways either on this site or somewhere on the net. I don't know what they are because I left mine alone. They are really meant to be more of a ranch gun. Durable and reliable. You can depend on getting shots inside the kill zone of most animals every time. Just don't expect to get much better than 2 or 3 inch groups at 100 yards without some modification. I've heard people say that with minimal expense they can be accurized fairly well.

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

If I wanted an accurate .223 autoloader I would go ahead and bite the bullet and get a flattop AR15. You will be way ahead from the get go.

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

Why does everyone call the Mini-14 a ranch gun? I ranch, I know lots of ranchers, and we all carry bolts or single shots.

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

Check out Accuracy Systems out of Colorado. They have a website, just do a yahoo search. They will accurize your mini and guarantee sub MOA 100 yard groups. My plan is to build one up in .243 or .243 WSSM with a carbon barrel. But like others said, if you want an accurate autoloader get an AR, I would too, but I live in California where farting in your neighbors yard is a felony:D:D!!!

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

Ruger just came out with a M.O.A. .223 Mini-14. Good luck.

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

I have a 1976 200th Year of Liberty Mini 14, and it is NO tack driver. We have done lots of tweakin with this rifle and it just won't shoot groups, more like patterns. It is 100 percent reliable though. We aren't very religious on cleaning firearms and we have put thousands of rounds through this gun and it has not had a hiccup yet.

Like the others said, if you want a nice, compact, semi auto 223 look into the ARs with a flat top and bull barrels.

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

could i hit a hog in the head at around 200? thats really all i need to know....

RE: Ruger Mini - 14
 

I'd say with a good solid rest shooting 200 yards you would have a 37% chance of hitting a hog where you want to.......

Then again 97% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Seriously though, I'd say the chances of making a killing shot on a hog at 200 yards aren't that great.