I read in the Shooting Times that Ruger was working on a proto-type heavy barrel, Mini-14. I have yet to see it mentioned anywhere else.

All I can say is it's about time! The AR's have about every imagineable combo available for them. They shoot well, and I'd probably have one if it weren't for the laws here. Luckily I have a Mini-14 that's apparently above average for accuracy so it's not a huge issue, but I'd like another one that shoots even better.

What have you guys (or gals) found out or heard? Where from? Nate

sure hope so. I like mini 14's & finally had one rebarreled etc. a few years ago. shoots in the 3/4" category and sure is fun

I harbor a secret love for the Mini-14. It was my first centerfire rifle that I actually bought myself. It certianly was no winner in the accuracy department, but almost ever time it went bang I killed a Raccoon, about 2-3 thousand if I had to guess.

I eventually sold the gun because I had a lot of rounds through it, and I wanted a more serious "long-range, target" gun. All the times I have been without it at my ranch it has not felt quite the same

I always considered rebarreling my mini but just couldn't justify the expense. There are no doubt some nice ones comming out from Clark Custom Guns and Accuracy INC. The only downside to them is you are paying 1200-1500 for a Mini-14.

A factory heavy barreled Mini would just about be the ultimate! If they ever make it to market I would get one. A rifle so classic I can even look past it being a .223

Hey guys, do ya think they will use a hammer forged heavy barrel??

I remember about 7 or 8 years ago a pd buddy of mine invited his brother in law along on one of our trips. He brought his Mini 14 along for a drive by rifle. Three days and problably 75 rounds into the trip he hadn't killed a pd with it. On the last day he was determined to kill something with it so he would load the thing up and just empty it at the pds.

A blind and obviously severly challenged pd finally, and literally RAN INTO one of his misses.

Jim

I saw a picture of the project you are probably speaking of.. I am not a Mini 14 kind of guy....

However.. on some Mag Called Ruger Something or Other.. It featured a bunch of new Ruger products... I thumbed thru it and didn't see anything that was really my cup of tea....

They did have an article on the Mini 14 which showed a grey laminate stock.... with a heavy barrel, that looked longer than the standard Mini 14 barrel....

The stock looked like a Mc Millan Tactical type...

For those into the Mini 14, I can tell ya that what I saw in the Magazine... YOU BOYS are GONNA LOOOOOVE IT!!!!!!!

cheers
seafire

I have been shooting mini-14 from about 1978. I find that they are a very useful rifle. I use mine a lot for running yote with hounds. Between my freinds and my self I have shot around 20 differant ones. They most are 1.5 to 2 inch rifles one or two well do better. We had one that would not group into a 8 inch pie plate.

We sent that one back to ruger they rebarrel it and it came back a 1.5 inch rifle.

A heavy barrel factory job would be interisting to try out if it well shoot under 1 inch it well be a very useful rifle.

But then my 2 inch mini's are very useful they might not be a 200 yard plus pd gun but. They are sure handy to grab when something stange is happening around the house.

I have bought and sold two Mini-14's. I love the feel and looks of the rifle. The simplified Garand type rotating bolt is very robust and reliable also. I bought my first Mini-14 used and abused it really bad, and it never missed a beat. It shot as accurately as the iron sights would allow. The second was a stainless ranch model that I bought new. I glass bedded the liner and had a trigger job done by a smith. Can't recall the twist rate, but 9 inch rings a bell. Anyway, it shot about 3 inches with 55 grain projectiles. With 69 grain BTHP's, however, the groups were cut in half; maybe better. I've tried to talk myself into an AR, but can't get over the weird look and feel. I'll have to check out this new offering from Ruger. If Ruger really wants to sell this prospective offering, they need to price it low to attract customers. Given the accuracy performance of the AR's on the market, why would a buyer take the risk of buying a mini if he's really concerned about accuracy?

I for one, and many who live in states with restrictive laws, would jump at the chance to have a mini that shoots like a heavy barrel AR!

I'm spoiled with my mini-14 now I guess because mine shoots the 50-52 gr flat base bullets quite well. I have a quarter that I shot a hole in at 50 yards on a bet. It shocked the crap out of the guy but I enjoyed it immensly! I have heard from many how terrible they shoot but I got a 180 series used after I shot my Dads 181 series. The 180 series was terrible! I didn't even try to fix it. Then I got a 181 series and it was as accurate, or more so, than my Dads. I haven't bought one since, but probably would if they come out with a bull barrel that shoots well. I've stacked up the 'yotes with mine! Nate