Barrel length and bullet weight

[raccol]

New guy around here that has probably read hundreds of posts in the last month or so.

I have a basically unmodified 188 (muzzle brake, 3-9x32 scope) with 1:7" and the best I've gotten at 50 yards with 55gr is about 2" groups. Given this post (http://perfectunion.com/vb/showthread.php?t=55697) I've decided to give 62gr and 69gr a try. After determining which bullet is best for my mini, I was planning to go with GunDoc’s B package. After reading Z-Mans project results (http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/showthread.php?t=34858) I was thinking about going with a 17 inch long with threaded muzzle break.

If the heavier bullets show improvement, will shortening the barrel adversely affect any accuracy achieved with the heavier bullets?

Any other thoughts?

Also plan to change the scope mount because it moves too much.

Thanks for the space.

[raccol]

My latest trip to the range at 50 yds. Numbers are order of groups shot. About 2 mins between groups.

My scope is a little off. I didn't adjust because I was mainly looking at groupings with 55gr surplus. Next I go to 62gr surplus then 68gr match.

[RonJ]

Hi Raccol,
I'm too new to the Mini to make any comments, but best luck.
If you do the GunDoc package I'd sure be interested in the results.

[rutro]

Raccol asked;
If the heavier bullets show improvement, will shortening the barrel adversely affect any accuracy achieved with the heavier bullets?

That's a good question and I'm not sure how to answer but no one else is so here goes. You should see some improvement with one of the heavier rounds. Some who have been at this longer than I have stated that these bullits need to be loaded to high velocities to stabilize and be accurate. The M855 military round, which is the 62gr. bullit, is loaded to 3025fps and is what most are finding to be the most accurate out of the 1-7'' Mini14 barrels. But our mini's are a carbine and the velocities for the 18 1/2'' barrel are usualy a bit slower from them. If you shorten it more the velocity will drop accordingly, I think it's about 100fps per inch. So it may well loose some of the accuracy gained by going to the heavier bullits.

Also plan to change the scope mount because it moves too much.


What kind of scope mount do you have on it now?

Any other thoughts?


One of the things that comes to mind is copper fouling. It is a fact of life in these 1-7'' barrels and can ruin your accuracy as fast as anything. If it's not all removed when you clean then you get layers of it building up. I found the Hoppies Elite cleaner to be excellent and fast. It will get it out with less elbow grease and in less time, I know because mine is a 1-7'' twist too.

[tri70]

I handloaded some 65 gr Sierra sp bt bullets and shot them out of a T/C Contender with a 14" barrel. With a 7x T/C scope at 100 yds I got an excellent group of just over an inch. It made me want a 223 T/C barrel and good faith in the shortness stabilizing heavy bullets. I don't think the mini will be any different.

-tri

[raccol]

What kind of scope mount do you have on it now?

It's a generic version of this. Came with the gun when I bought it.

http://www.mountsplus.com/miva/graphics/00000001/EAG-1405-BLK.jpg

Everytime I pull it out of the case it seems like it has moved a bit and I've tightened repeatedly.

I'm thinking about going with one of these.

http://www.andean-inc.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/BSQ14508.jpg

[Der Verge]

Hey Rutro, I got one like the bottom one in your post. Not any problems with it. Actually, I like it very much.

[rutro]

Tri70 said;
I handloaded some 65 gr Sierra sp bt bullets and shot them out of a T/C Contender with a 14" barrel. With a 7x T/C scope at 100 yds I got an excellent group of just over an inch. It made me want a 223 T/C barrel and good faith in the shortness stabilizing heavy bullets. I don't think the mini will be any different.

You're probably right Tri. Do you know what the twist is on that barrel?

Raccol is that the B-Square mount on the bottom? I started to get that very mount myself. But decided on the Weigand when it came time to order. Either of them should serve you well.

[raccol]

Raccol is that the B-Square mount on the bottom? Yes. I was hoping to find a good deal on a used B-Square (or similar) but may have to bite the proverbial bullet and get a new one.

Thanks for the reponses.

[rutro]

I know how that bullit biteing works!!!! Do a little of that myself sometimes.

[tri70]

Hey Rutro! I looked up the barrel on the Midway web site and it gave a twist rate of 1-12 which is usually for the lighter bullets but it did well with the 65 gr I loaded.

tri