any of you guys haverhe ruger mini 14?

[Maverick]

I've been tearing up the dogs this year with a .222. The problem is its my dads. So I'm thinking I better get a predator gun since I think he's getting jealous and wants to get back into it. I saw a Ruger mini 14 in the gun shop today brand new for $650 and shoots .223. Collapsable stock and everything. Kinda cool. Does anyone have one and would they make a great dog gun or do I need to be looking else where? I noticed.it had kind of a short barrel. Just was thinkin its semi auto and not as expensive as an ar15.  If not what gun do you recommend for the right price?

[jayrod9528]

I had one and it was not accurate, it was fun it just would not shoot good. I tried all different ammo and it never was a good shooter. I have a Remington R-15 in .223 and it shoots real nice. Save your money and buy an AR it is worth the money.

[FALFire]

Mini 14's are not known for very good accuracy, yes there are some that will shoot a group of 2" or slightly better but the majority are terrible even at 100 yards and they tend to be finicky with different loads.

It takes a lot of money to get one to shoot and still they are no match against the AR. I have had several Mini's, we used them on the Sheriffs Dept. years ago, never did find one that would shoot well. We had to hit a paper dinner plate at 100 yards at least 10 out of 20 rounds and most wouldn't do it. The AR will keep 20 rounds in a dinner plate at 200 yards with room left over for mashed potatoes.

Cabela's will sometimes have sales on AR15's for $599 - $699 and those are waaaaaay better than the Mini, I have an old Mini 14 and it has not been out of the safe in 10 years. You don't need an expensive AR for it to shoot good.

[Swag]

Mini 14's are not known for very good accuracy, yes there are some that will shoot a group of 2" or slightly better but the majority are terrible even at 100 yards and they tend to be finicky with different loads.

It takes a lot of money to get one to shoot and still they are no match against the AR. I have had several Mini's, we used them on the Sheriffs Dept. years ago, never did find one that would shoot well. We had to hit a paper dinner plate at 100 yards at least 10 out of 20 rounds and most wouldn't do it. The AR will keep 20 rounds in a dinner plate at 200 yards with room left over for mashed potatoes.

Cabela's will sometimes have sales on AR15's for $599 - $699 and those are waaaaaay better than the Mini, I have an old Mini 14 and it has not been out of the safe in 10 years. You don't need an expensive AR for it to shoot good.

 

[dannysdaddy]

Love mine as its fun to shoot.  not accurate at all.   save a couple hundred more bucks and buy an entry level ar.  you wont regret it.

[CAMPMEAT]

My neighbor has one. He had it accurized and shoots great, BUT, it cost him another $1000 to do it.
Get an AR like the others have suggested. You'd be much happier in the long run.

[norsepeak]

sold mine, not accurate at all.  Went with a Smith AR 15, WAY more accurate.

[Maverick]

K so what's one of the most accurate guns out there? I'm trying to stay under a thousand bucks.

[JohnVH]

I accurized my mini14 for about $50, and it shoots 1/2" groups and 100 yards. Long live the mini! But for no fuss out of the box shooting, just get an AR, if you dont want another black gun like everyone else... mini. The new ones are much more accurate than the old ones.

[demontang]

Had a mini when I was younger and could nail a golf ball with it at 75yds or so every time. I would take my oly k16 over a mini 14 anyday of the week and your looking at the same money for a more accurate gun 

[Maverick]

The calibers I'm interested in are the .222, .223, 22-250, and the .204. I don't like to blow a big hole in a dog. Idc if its semi or bolt action, as long as it shoots straight. I do want to be able to pop the shells in from the bottom and go.

[FALFire]

I would suggest the Tikka T3 in 204 Ruger, it's one of the finest guns available.

[uplandhunter870]

i got a mini 14 fun as all get out to shoot not very accurate but the thing that killed it as a hunting rig for me was when it ejects the spent brass the neck bounces off the bolt handle and puts a flat spot in the neck, not very good for reloading potential.

for a magazine feed rifle your options are a bit limited for a factory bolt action. if you want to go bolt get a tikka in either 223 or 22 250 or save up a few more pennies and get an entry level AR

[wraithen]

Tikka's have quite a rep built for them and they come with an accuracy guarantee. You could probably build your own AR and get sub-moa for about the same, maybe little higher price. For varmint guns I'd go AR. Big game I'd go bolt action. Tikka and savage are great for out of the box accuracy ratings. 

[Bofire]

  Call them in to 25 yards and your mini 14 or shotgun is fine! Mini 14 was designed as a prison security gun, a guards gun, probably more accurate than a pistol in most guys hands. Kind of like the old 30 caliber carbines. 50 yards guns or 100 yard shooting for mass. They are kinda cute.
Get a bolt gun or an AR if you want to kill coyotes, and a shotgun.
Carl

[Jellymon]

Fun to shoot and super reliable but not the most accurate. I was able to get 1 1/4" groups at 100yds out of mine but I think I got one of the few decent ones.

[CastleRocker]

A wise man once told me, "Shoot straight...if you can't shoot straight, shoot a LOT!".  I've had my Mini-14 since the '80's and it's just what everyone else says.   A lot of fun to shoot... a lot.  It never has shot well, but I've shot it enough that the heat mirage coming off the barrel was so bad that I absolutely could not see the front sight through the peep.  (That was when I was much younger and didn't know that wasn't good for a barrel)!

Check you CMMG's "bargain bin".  They have some great specials on complete rifles from time to time.  I've had two and both shot very well and functioned perfectly.  Also check you Model 1 sales. You can mix and match what you want. 

Read up on AR-15.com and just put one together.  It's under $500 to just do it yourself.  It's actually very simple and kind of fun too.

It's either that or call them in closer like Bofire said.

[Karl Blanchard]

savage is always a sure bet.  You might want to take a look at the T/C Venture.  It is a camo bolt action and I do believe they are under $500.  I don't know much about them except for what I have read but they seem to get good reviews.  My predator gun is a Remington model 7 .243  It is mossy oak brush camo and has a fluted barrel and boy can it shoot! It is there predator bolt action and comes in all the standard varmint calibers.  I think I paid $700 for it but its been a few years I can't remember.

[Karl Blanchard]

This is the remington.

[Goshawk]

Go over to the Olympic Arms web page and look at the AR15 line of rifles they make right here in Western Washington. Their SUM barrels are some of the most accurate out there, and are available in many different calibers from 204 Ruger,  .223, 22-250 and all the way up to the 25 WSSM. http://www.olyarms.com/
The half dozen or so I've worked with have been tack drivers and on par with other AR15 rifles of much higher cost. Their finish is not the best, but they make an excellent rifle.