What's the accuracy of the newest Mini-14s in .223? I saw previous posts stating they were SUPPOSED to be better, but does anyone have experience with out-of-the-box accuracy? I'm trying to get a sense of what range I could shoot coyotes with one. Thx!

Hunter308

Not the new ones but this might help.
Back then when they came out, I could shoot a beer can at 200m with mine. It was hopeless with factory ammo - no group at all, just a 'pattern'. With hand loads, it would shoot a 'two centre' group with Speer bullets. I recall getting better groups with Sierra bullets but lost the data. I settled on the hornady 53gr match bullet. That gave sub-MOA accuracy (only just). I put a thick leather pad over the gas piston to take out the shock of the cylinder slamming home, mainly to protect the scope but I think it helped with accuracy too (the barrel/piston assembly 'recoils' against the cylinder during firing). I put another leather buffer over the spring on the other end of the cylinder, again, just to protect the scope. (That scope is now on my 22lr and suffered no damage - it was a cheap scope).

Have not shot the new ones but.
I have had the same one for 20 years and it has always shot good for a carbine. I have shot Coyotes at 225 yds without a problem. If you get 1.5" groups at 100 yds it will still be plenty good enough to hit Coyotes at 200 plus. Never were meant to be a tack driver. Mine has shot around 1 moa for all of these years. Just got it back from Ruger last year for a bolt and gas tube rebuild and is as good as new. Many 1000's of rounds through it.
JM2CW

A friend has the target model and is quite happy with it. Plenty accurate, he has been getting groups between 1" and 1 1/2" @ 100yds off the bench pretty consistantly.

craigster, perhaps you could suggest to your friend to try the buffer trick to see whether or not it improves accuracy?

quote:

Originally posted by 303Guy:
craigster, perhaps you could suggest to your friend to try the buffer trick to see whether or not it improves accuracy?

Don't know if he has buffered his or not, but I will mention it to him. Thanks.