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Ruger Mini 14 Target Rifle

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  • medic_cob

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    Been awhile since I posted. So I just traded my Savage 22-250 and a little cash for a pretty much brand new Ruger Mini 14 Target. I have had my eye on Mini 14s for a while now and finally found one I liked. The target model is only chambered in .223 unlike the other mini 14s which also accept 5.56 but that is fine with me, as I really don't care to shoot surplus or super cheap ammo in my nice guns anyway plus there is plenty of quality .223 ammo out there. The rifle has a leupold vx2 4-12x40 AO scope on it. I was out at the range today with it for the first time and tried to sight it in with cheap monarch 55gr fmj that I had on hand that I let my son shoot through his single shot rifle. As I said before I don't like cheap stuff and this performed horribly. 4 inch groups at 100 yds, good enough for government work but not for me. I let the barrel cool, cleaned it, and switched to Federal Gold Match 69gr BTHP. Instant improvement after a little sight adjust I was soon shooting 1 inch groups at 100 yds. I am sure that with a little adjustment of the damper on the barrel and more practice I can pull that in tighter. Just for the fun of it I ran a target out to 300 yds and took a few shots. I used the ballistics on the box as a guide for hold over, said 13.3 inches at 300 yds. Unfortunately I forgot to take into effect the wind, bullets moved right about 4-5inches and actual drop was 15-16 inches. My 5 shot group was 2 inches in diameter at 300 yds so I would say the rifles is accurate. Rounds are traveling a little slower than advertised on box, probably due to rifle having 22 inch barrel and test gun from factory using a 24. I am going to take out my chronograph next time to see actual velocity. I'm betting around 2750, then I can get a better idea using ballistics calculator how much hold over I need.
     
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    medic_cob

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    Yeah, its got a thicker 22 inch barrel with a damper that is adjustable to the ammo you are shooting, a nice laminated ambidextrous thumbhole/pistol grip stock, and factory rings. Whole thing is in stainless steel, beautiful gun. Shoots really nice.
    tgt_pics1582222.jpg
     

    Vaquero

    Moving stuff to the gas prices thread.....
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    Is the "damper" a "boss"? (Balistic optimised shooting system"?

    Browning developed it in the '80s.
    Winchester bought the rights and put it on a few rifles.
    Reviews were impressive.

    I've not seen a rifle with one personally.
     

    medic_cob

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    Yeah, its something real similar to the BOSS system browning has. Its basically a weight at the end of the barrel that can be threaded back and forth to adjust foe the different vibrations of the barrel using different ammo. Keeps the barrel center mass for your chosen ammo allowing you to be more accurate.
     

    Texasjack

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    I've got a Winchester Model 70 with the Boss harmonic dampener on it. Takes some patience to set up.

    That Garand-style action is extremely reliable and tough. Bill Ruger made a huge mistake trying to keep the Mini-14 as a "not-black-rifle" to try to appease the anti-gun crowd. With just a few changes, it would be a strong contender against the AR and AK stuff. A heavier barrel is a great start. If they changed the dimensions on the mags so they could use AR mags, that would improve things a lot as well.
     

    vmax

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    the terms "mini 14" and "target" just don't seem to go together.

    I've seen one of them, it looks like a good gun, but I've seen too many Minis that were Minute of Pie Plate at 100 yards
     

    General Zod

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    Looks like you have a pretty good setup. Be picky with your magazines if you decide to add to what you've got. I have an older Mini-14 that'll eat from just about any mag, but they (especially the newer ones) can be finicky. Ruger factory mags are both the best choice and the most expensive way to go.
     

    dee

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    the terms "mini 14" and "target" just don't seem to go together.

    I've seen one of them, it looks like a good gun, but I've seen too many Minis that were Minute of Pie Plate at 100 yards
    Saw a fella at the range with one identical to the op's going crazy trying to do better than 2" with everything from factory loads to handloads.
     

    Charlie

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    If the "tuner" (harmonic balancer) is working properly, it still might take a while to get it in sync with your gun barrel but one would have to stick with one brand of ammo and the same bullet weight for it to be anywhere near consistent. Hand loading will do the same thing. Find the load your barrel likes and stick with that load. The beauty of a harmonic balancer is that you can find the sweet spot for a load, note the setting and then find the sweet spot for different load and dial-in loads based on previous experimentation (assuming everything is working correctly)! I you start out close up (50 yds. or so) it makes it easier to tune it and then progress out to longer distances. Theoretically, the scope will only tell you where your group will hit, not necessarily close up your group (if the shooter does a good job).
     
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    Charlie

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    I started loading for my AR several years ago (no harmonic balancer) and using the same bullet (same profile, same weight, etc.) loaded several loads at .2 gr. increments. When finally tested at 100 yds., groups went from about 1 3/4" down to 7/16" and then back up to about 1 1/4". The load my carbine liked best was with 26.1 grs. of Varget. (I loaded 9 rounds each of 25.5 grs., 25.7 grs, 25.9 grs., 26.1 grs., 26.3 grns., etc.) Obviously it loved the 26.1 best of all! I'm content with that!
     

    dee

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    I started loading for my AR several years ago (no harmonic balancer) and using the same bullet (same profile, same weight, etc.) loaded several loads at .2 gr. increments. When finally tested at 100 yds., groups went from about 1 3/4" down to 7/16" and then back up to about 1 1/4". The load my carbine liked best was with 26.1 grs. of Varget. (I loaded 9 rounds each of 25.5 grs., 25.7 grs, 25.9 grs., 26.1 grs., 26.3 grns., etc.) Obviously it loved the 26.1 best of all! I'm content with that!
    Basically a ocw test. I do ladder test typically unless I know a general velocity/charge area a rifle likes.

    That being said there are a lot of Browning and Winchester guns that had the dampner cut off with exceptional results.
     

    Charlie

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    Basically a ocw test. I do ladder test typically unless I know a general velocity/charge area a rifle likes.

    That being said there are a lot of Browning and Winchester guns that had the dampner cut off with exceptional results.

    Off or on, the right ammo (or load if you're a hand loader) will produce the best results.
    Dampner (harmonic balancer) is probably the easiest way to find the right load if one doesn't hand load, tedious initially but once the sweet spot is found for a certain ammo, the guess work is (should be) over. Just keep tuning it until you get there. I enjoy hand loading so I don't mess with the harmonic balancer.
     
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    medic_cob

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    Sorry I have been missing out on all the reply action. Was at school. I also handload, but am not set up for .223 yet. I figure if I can get 1 moa on a windy day with factory ammo with out messing with the damper then I should be able to shrink my groups nicely on a good using the damper. Once I start handloading for it I should be able to get some pretty awesome groups.
     

    Charlie

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    Sorry I have been missing out on all the reply action. Was at school. I also handload, but am not set up for .223 yet. I figure if I can get 1 moa on a windy day with factory ammo with out messing with the damper then I should be able to shrink I nicely on a good using the damper. Once I start handloading for it I should be able to get some pretty awesome groups.

    I would agree with you wholeheartedly! I have a friend that has a harmonic balancer that clamps on. He's used it in the past (but not lately) and says it works great.
     

    Charlie

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    I'd advise setting the harmonic balancer at the center of it's settings, then shoot some of the hand loads you like (or want to use) and start tuning it (up or down) until you find it's best setting. Good luck!
     

    medic_cob

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    Yeah, that's what I figured on doing. I kind of liked the way the federals grouped right of the bat. Once I start loading I will probably stick to the same 69gr Match Kings and try to get a little extra velocity out of them. Anybody got a good recommendation for powder. I already have RL15 on hand.
     
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