Hey guys, I have a few quick questions that I need answered. I have decieded to pick up a new rifle. I decided on .223 because of power/velocity of bullet and the price. I plan to coon/rabbit/skunk/coyote/fox hunt with it (.22's just don't have enought pop anymore) This gun will need to be extremly durable and deacently accurate. I was thinking possible a Mini 14 Ranch Rifle with Synthetic Stock and a stainless barrel. Can this gun do like 2 MOA at 50 yards? I hesisitate from AR's because of the price and from the ones I have seen require a lot of mantience. I am looking for a no bullshit .223 so please help me out. I plan to buy on Wed.
Also what scope should I use on this gun. I need to clearly see the crosshairs at anywhere from 10-300 yards. I am also looking to spend under $200 on the scope, so any help would be greatly appricated.
My rifle of choice would NOT be a Mini 14- but then I like to hit what I am shooting at! Sorry if it offends someone- put your money into a Savage bolt action, less money and more accuracy-( you can get a factory prepared "package" 3x9 scope and all for around $400) quality of fire means much more than quanity.
First off, welcome to the forum. To answer your question, yes the mini 14 will shoot 2 inch groups at 50 yards, at least mine will. The best groups I've been able to get after investing way too much time messing with handloads is about 3 inches at 100 yards. My mini 14 wears a 2.5X shotgun scope because I like a large field of view.
You mentioned being able to shoot 300 yards. The mini 14 is not a good choice for that range. To put it bluntly, the mini 14 was never designed as a target rifle, and it does not function as one.
Follow Duane's advice and look for a bolt action, new or used. I have no doubt that any bolt rifle you pick up will outshoot a mini 14.
Since I'm handing out advice, if you're going to be doing a lot of shooting at the 300 yard range, I would consider looking at a little more powerful cartridge like a .22/250 or even a .243. The ammo will cost a bit more, but if you handload, the cost difference is not that great. My 2 cents.
Ryan
Posts: 425 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 01 April 2001
Big R, I dont entend at all to be shooting at 300 yards but that would be max, and I would mostly be shooting at about 20-150 Yards and probly an average of 50. I would need it to be semi auto because of mutiple numbers of animals.
What about one of the Remington auto-loaders? So many people buy the Mini-14 because it looks so cool but the truth is they aren't accurate and have a trigger that is the worst I've ever seen.....$500 and a few months wait will fix all of that but you still ahve a semi-accurate rifle that isn't suited to using a scope.
Posts: 4360 | Location: Sunny Southern California | Registered: 22 May 2002
The classified forum had a Remington 788 bolt action in .223rem for sale last week. I think the asking price was only $375. Very accurate and durable. Pretend it's a semi-auto and cycle the bolt fast.
[This message has been edited by Arizona Larry (edited 03-20-2002).]
If your shots are going to be close range, the mini 14 will probably work accuracy wise. However, the problem with my mini 14 is that the barrel heats up incredibly fast, like after three shots. Accuracy opens up accordingly. But, if your shots are going to be at that close of a range, it will probably work.
It seems like people have a love/hate relationship with the mini 14. I like mine, and I understand its limitations. If you do decide to get one, I would recommend the ranch rifle. It comes with Ruger's quick detach scope ring system. Much better than an add on scope mount. Good luck.
Ryan
Posts: 425 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 01 April 2001
I would expect a mini 14 to shoot a lot better than 2moa at 50 yards. The ones I have shot would. If they have a scope that is. For a scope I would get a leupold any power(they do have some for around 200 bucks). My rig for bigger than a 22 rimfire is an interarms mini mauser 223 and one of these days I'll scope it and maybe even use it.
Posts: 9823 | Location: Montana | Registered: 25 June 2001
If you want the mini, go for it, you will fall in love with the most reliable cycling auto. Mine will shoot 2" @ 100 on a good day, put a Tasco 1.5-4 or 2-7 & you'll be happy.
DuaneinND said it!! If you want to hit something, stay away from the factory Mini's. Neither the Mini-14 nor the Mini-30 can be counted on, unless you want to go the custom route, including a new barrel!!
Mike, I don't know if you bought the gun yet.... If you have good luck. I have had little time on a MINI-14. I have had lots of time on the M-16 and a Bushmaster AR-15. If you can hold out, I would save the money and buy the AR-15. In the military (M-16) and as a civilian (AR-15)I have had little trouble with these rifles. If you already bought the MINI-14, congrats on buying a gun. It's money well spent no matter what you buy.
I also have a Mini 14 and I have to agree it is one of the most reliable autos I have ever seen but it is know where near as accurate as many other 223 on the market. I would have to say mine would have a tough time holding 4 inch groups at 50 yards but it is a kick in the head to shoot and I would never get rid of it.
well I bought the mini 14. I can say that I am extremly happy with my purchase. I think when I posted here I already had my mind made up but I think I made a good decision. I took it to the range the night I got it and It shot 3MOA at 100 yards. I am quite happy with the results. I am taking it out tommorow morning and staying the weekend at my hunting cabin, so I will post a "in the feild" review of my gun when I get back. I think the only complaint I have is that the barrel can get extremly hot very quickly. I know not to fire it extremly fast but I would think that 20rds in 5 mins would be a nice pace? Sure was hot though.... Although I am sure I would have been happy with the AR I was looking for dependability most of all and accuracy second. I guess for me it dosn't really matter if I kill or even hit the animal just so long as he gets out of my pecan bottoms.
The average Ruger is a 4" job at 100 yd.s. Go to the bolt and cycle it, there can't be that many critters. Even if there is, it should be: One shot, one hit. Not, spray and pray.
Posts: 9 | Location: usa | Registered: 13 June 2002
well, I think that the mini will be great for what I want it for. (Most shots below 50 yards ) and I need the semi auto for mutiple targets. More often that not when you drive up on coons in a tree there is going to be more than 1 target. I have to be able to:
1.) Hold the Spot light
2.) Prop my gun up on the spotlight to make the shot
3.) Be able to take mutiple shots and I wont have a free hand.
That is why I chose the mini, Ruggednes, power, and semi-auto.
quote:Originally posted by Waffen: well, I think that the mini will be great for what I want it for. (Most shots below 50 yards ) and I need the semi auto for mutiple targets. More often that not when you drive up on coons in a tree there is going to be more than 1 target.
I certainly hope you stay in your area of the country if you have no more sense than to shoot a 223 into the sky at night, or any other time!
Posts: 565 | Location: Walker, IA, USA | Registered: 03 December 2001
We have 3 peices of property raninging from 3000-8000 acres, The property surrounding is also just grasing pastures for miles. There is no chance I could hit anybody. My family has been doing this for years, probly millions of rounds fired so I am pretty sure its safe.
For coons in trees? Lease the place to some hound hunters. They'd love it and so would you if you went with them. Or, are you one of the guys that have orange posted stuff every 4 feet?
Posts: 9 | Location: usa | Registered: 13 June 2002
