Help a guy out

[FatKatMatt]

I'm probably beating a dead horse, but is there any way I could get a Mini to group 1 MOA without getting a bull barrel? I'd rather not spend twice the price of the gun just to make it shoot better groups.

I assume some of you will say "buy an AR-15, it gets 1 MOA any day of the week!". 1, I don't like AR's, 2, I'm in California so the only option for an AR-15 would be a neutered fixed mag or an even further neutered detachable mag version. The SKS is inaccurate, the AK is even more inaccurate, and the M1A is too expensive. So that really leaves me with the Mini, which while stock inaccurate can be made to really shine.

I've heard about barrel weights, cutting down the barrel to improve stiffness, muzzle brakes, barrel shrouds, bedding, etctera.

So... anything I can do that doesn't cost a bundle and achieves my goal more or less?

Thanks, Matt.

[bwraven]

Lots of suggestions on this site if you search around.

But 1 MOA? Sounds like you need a bolt gun.

The Mini-14 platform isn't really designed to shoot 1 MOA. It is a very rugged, reliable autoloader that should be able to easily give you 2-3 MOA, if you do your part.

[FatKatMatt]

Thanks for the advice, but I'm trying to make it as accurate as possible without sacrificing its light weight. I know 1 MOA is a pretty hard thing to do with a Mini, but it's really the only viable California legal autoloader that isn't 2 grand.

[timlt]

I do think you can get close to 1 MOA, with a 580-series Mini (made since 2005). I'm not saying you can't with the older versions, it's just that the 580 is what I have and what I know anything about.

You can find endless threads on this subject within this forum, but I'd say your range of choices, fall into two categories: external factors that will help your accuracy, and modifications to the gun itself.

EXTERNAL FACTORS FOR ENHANCING ACCURACY

1. Get the best glass you can. Get a very good quality scope, and use the integral Ruger mounts, which are rock solid and won't give you mysterious shifting POI problems, shooting loose, etc. There are many threads here with discussions and advice on scopes.

2. Use quality ammo. We're talking either handloading and working up the best loads for your Mini, or if you get factory ammo, I'm talking stuff that will cost you $12 to $25 per box of 20 cartridges.

If you do these 2 things, many people have been able to get the new Minis shooting 1" to 2" at 100 yards, just by doing the above. Two are Jeff Quinn at www.gunblast.com (see his review of the new Mini-14), and Der Verge here on this forum.


MODIFYING YOUR RIFLE
These are some mods you can have done to the gun itself, if you don't want to spend the money for a high-end scope and ammo as in the other approach.

1. Get a trigger job. $50. Enables you to shoot more accurately.

2. Have your action glass or pillar bedded. Range $50 to $100 depending on type. Eliminates play and slop between action and stock.

3. Do something to stabilize your barrel. Tons of choices here: you can have a smith like Gundoc shorten your barrel and add some mass at the end (in the form of a muzzle brake), which will improve accuracy. You can get one of these new accuracy strut type devices, check out http://www.accustrut.com. You can try the various tuner devices, like the Biathlon Stabilizer (search for threads about it here). Typical cost for these solutions ranges from $75 to $125.


Now, which way above should you go? It's up to you, but the first way, while making less permanent changes to your gun, will also probably cost you more. I ended up doing the second approach, because if you do just those 3 mods, for about $200 or so, you'll probably be able to shoot 1" to 2" groups, even using the less expensive practice ammo (after you find what your Mini likes) and a moderate scope. If I want greater accuracy in time, I plan to add handloading

[FatKatMatt]

I think its pretty much common sense that better ammo=better groups, not always the case though. I really want something that can achieve close to 1 MOA or better with good ammo and no more than 2 or 2.5 MOA with crap ammo. I was thinking of getting a Leupold VX-I 4x-12x for it, since it's only about $250.

I've been looking at Gun Doc's website and am probably just going to get his Package B or something similar, have him put one of those "Black Warrior" muzzlebrakes on, and then getting an AccuStrut when it finally comes out. What do you think the optimal length is for the Mini barrel, since I have the option of getting it cut.

Thanks for your reply.

[stoney]

10971 just a few mods i picked up here and handloads can do wonders. i have gotten 1" groups but the average is 1 1/2" . the 52 grian nosler i'm playing with shows promise. 1" to 1 1/4" .

[rutro]

It can be done and you can spend as much or as little as you like. Start with the tips and tricks section. After the basic stuff like bedding, trigger job, blueprinting the gas block ect. see what it does and where you want to go with it. There are several options and methods to explore and read up on ........... all can be found here in the accurizing section. Have fun ;)

[FatKatMatt]

I was reading the thread from about a year ago, where a guy cut his Mini barrel about 3 inches at the "turning point" and started getting sub-MOA groups; has anyone else done this and can you verify if I can get the same or similar groups?

I've been browsing the forums here and they've given me a lot of info, just want some more specific stuff.

Thanks again to all of you.