Minimal Mini 14 accuracy modifications

[Monroe]

I bought used Mini 14 for plinking/wife/daughter use home defense. I shoot a Armalite AR-15 and M1 in local CMP service rifle. Dont want to spend fortune trying to make it what its not-target rifle. Want <100 yard reasonable accuracy with standard 55 gr Win/Wolf/Rem./PMC etc ammo. Not Black Hills etc. or hand loads. Definitely would want trigger job and what one (or two) other thing would you recommend. Thanks!!!

[Marlin 45 carbine]

bore polish, recrown, bedding/shimming, and gas block torque and bedding will get you where you want to be, then a small glass on it and muzzle brake.

[pbrktrt]

don't pass up the Accu-Strut. but buy it now because the price is gonna go up. i think Kkina is still selling to members at beta prices.

[kkina]

don't pass up the Accu-Strut. but buy it now because the price is gonna go up. i think Kkina is still selling to members at beta prices.

Actually, the beta launch ended yesterday. We are in full retail mode as of '08.

[gundoc]

In the quest for a better mini I can only offer that modifications have a cumulative effect. I beleive that a trigger job is the first thing that should be done, but from there I can't say any one thing will be a better bang for your buck than another. I like cutting barrels and threading on muzzlebrakes, but the Accu-Strut may accomplish the same goal. With respect to Kkina I say "may" because there are many variables to consider such as:

Bullet weight, brand and lot
Barrel condition
Gas system condition
Receiver fit to stock
Environmental influences
Sighting platform
Proper length of pull for you

and to round it out, even if you match the twist weight to the bullet weight the chamber is still 5.56mm and you're feeding it .223 Remington - there is a difference.

As Kkina will doubtless agree, the various strut products will help stabilize the barrel, but to achieve optimal performance the clamps need to be placed precisely per rifle to alter the node of the barrel and thus alter the harmonic phasing. Since each and every barrel is different, the node is not consistent even between consecutive rifles. Once you find the node with a strut or barrel length/muzzle weight you must shoot the same ammo, and preferably the same lot, or the node will change again even minimally. From your post you're shooting bottom of the barrel ammo and that doesn't help either. It's fine for plinking, but as an experienced competition shooter you already know what I'm saying.

If you don't want to put a lot of money in the rifle, and I completely understand that, get the trigger worked and pin on a flashhider/muzzlebrake. You'll see tangible gains and you can decide to go further or stop there. Explore the tips and tricks section for little things you can do cheaply and join the rest of us with the mini 14 strain of BRD. :o

Doc

[kkina]

Thanks, Gundoc. If I may interject, out tests have shown that precise clamp placement produces little of no change in the performance of the strut. Unlike mass changes, the strut relies primarily on geometry. The system tends to be insensitive to small dimensional alterations. The Accu-strut is not a tuneable system, but basically install and forget.

That said, Gundoc is absolutely correct that a barrel strut can do only one thing, i.e. stiffen the barrel. This is only one point in what must be an overall accurizing package, which can include a trigger job (almost a prerequisite), stock-bedding, etc. Also, a muzzle brake/flash hider can still provide accuracy benefits on a strutted barrel, so I would still recommend it if so inclined (my personal Mini has a MB).

[gundoc]

Good to know. You've done extensive R&D on the strut and I value your input. Thanks Kkina!

Doc

[Monroe]

Thank You both for your replys!!! You have given me some excellent "food for thought" for this rifle. Now need to decide how much to spend on the girls "plinker". They dont like the AR 15 all that much but light weight Mini 14 is more their style.