I've got a stock Mini-14 and no matter what I try to shoot in it, the best it will do is 4-6" at 100 yds.

Has anyone here at AR had that barrel stabilizer put on there Mini, and does the thing actually work? I don't want to spent $1000 to turn this into a tack driver, but I do like shooting it, and would like to spend some reasonable dollars to get this baby shooting better.

It's like new, in .223 Rem.

Any tips would be appreciated.

ML

Everything you need to know about making that mini shoot better.
http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?

Click on the mini 14/30 forum

Thank you Mr. chocolate lab..

No Problem, German Short Haired Pointer

I reload my shells with Win 748. I think this is why I can shoot a tighter group at 100 yds.

You can use the same ideas they use on a M1A to tighten groups bed the action tighten the hand guard ect. Use good ammo. Most mil spec ammo will not give you much more then 2 in groups.

Even out to of my .5 in varmint guns mil spec ammo is around 1.5 to 2 in. Most rifles to get their best one has to use great bullets good loadings.

The mil spec on a M14 and Grand is only 2 to 4 in at a 100. They only shoot great if one works on them and uses good ammo.

Speaking from experience, your mini 14 is as accurate as most. 4 to 6" inches at a 100 is the norm. I have owned 3 over the years all shot crappy. They are probably the coolest and tuffest little rifle made. But they don't shoot. If you want a 20 round automatic that shoots get an AR15. If you want better accuracy than that get a bolt gun. Keep the mini for close range plinking and as a short range defense rifle, for that they are hard to beat. I enjoyed the www.perfectunion.com web site and 33 pages on mini accuracy tells the whole story. jb

Actually, I have to disagree with the last poster, about
getting a bolt action, if you want better accuracy,
than an AR-15. I have a RRA varminter upper, with a
floating handguard, pinned to a Armalite lower, with a
National Match trigger, that I would put up against any out
of the box factory bolt gun. Both pieces were purchased
seperately, pinned together by me, and with no further
mods, other than to put a Weaver V16 scope, on an
Armalite high rise quick detact base, and it shoots
55 gr Nosler Ballistic tips, pushed by Varget, into
one ragged hole. Typical groups are well under .5 MOA.
I own Remington, Tikka, Howa, and Savage bolt guns, so
I might have an idea about a few factory bolt guns, and
I have at least two AR-15 uppers that can stand with any
of the factory bolt guns I have shot, and consistently
out shoot many of them.

But as for the original post, been there done that.
Get better ammo, and read up on the easy tricks to
tighten up the Mini-14. If you get to 2" groups,
you have reached the summit of Mini-14 shooting
They are fun, and effective, for CQB, but picking
off ground hogs at 200 yards is close to winning the
lottery. I have tried...It was my ATV boot varmint
gun until the ground hogs started laughing at me.
Now I have a pre-Ban M4 upper, that holds .75 MOA,
with it's favorite ammo, stuffed in the ATV boot,
that has silenced the ground hog laughter.
Coyotes don't think much of this stubby AR-15 either.

Squeeze

If you spend $1000 in upgrades you might get a Mini-14 to shoot as well as a $750 AR-15. Unless you just don't like them for some reason AR's are the gun to buy if you want good accuracy in a reasonably priced semi-auto.......DJ

Thanks for the replies all.

I would love to own an AR-15. Problem is I live in California, and last I heard that was a no, no..

There was a post to AR15-L at yahoogroups awhile back from a member who attended a Ruger armorers class. One thing he mentioned is that Ruger is aware that the Mini-14 has excessive freebore and has no intention to make any changes.

You first option is to get a better barrel.

Anyone know of this mod?:

http://ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/ruger_mini_14_30.html

Standard Mini 14 shown with .900" diameter stainless stabilizer

1. Often factory barrels are warped! Before installing your stabilizer we certify your barrel's trueness. Others leave this to chance, possibly wasting the entire effort!
2. Because we machine your barrel, our stabilizer is integral, not a failure-prone pressure fit.
3. Group size can be cut in half � you can expect .75" to 1.75" groups depending on ammo!!
4. Looks like our standard heavy barrel!! (weight: 10 oz.)
5. Barrel cools twice as fast!
6. Ask what makes ours better!!
7. At $319.00 it includes:
* New extended magazine release
* 3.5 lb. Match Trigger no creep with target crown and quieter forwarding-venting 6 Port Compensator!
* We will shorten your barrel to 16" if desired.
* The Accuracy Systems Stabilizer adds 1" to overall barrel length.
* Front sights available

...sounds like it may be a good option for $319 if it works??