As promised, I'm presenting results from the first set of trials on the Socom accurizing strut (as most of you know, the Socom is a shorter, single-clamp version of the Accu-strut). This will be a rather informal summary for brevity. I can supply more detailed test info if needed. Note that these results are good ONLY for a full-length, tapered 5/8" barrel.
580-SERIES MINI-14 W/ TAPERED FULL-LENGTH 5/8" BBL, no strut (control group)
ave: 2.5" (std dev .64)
__________________________________________________ _____________
Logoed Socom
ave: 2.9" (std dev .54)
Socom HS prototype
ave: 2.0" (std dev .49)
CONCLUSION: To within one sigma of standard deviation, there is NO support for improvement in accuracy for the Socom model on a long, thick tapered mini. This rifle is a 2-and-a-half-inch grouper, give or take a half inch, with or without a strut. However, it DOES look good! More testing on the way...
Do you have results on the thin barrel. I did not find them on quick search.
Believe me, if I had more results, I wouldn't keep them secret . But seriously, my test tech is putting together a test protocol as we speak. I will put the results here (Nest subforum) as soon as he feeds me the data (and I crunch the numbers; my test guy is better at shooting than math )
...and here are today's results. We only had time to shoot control groups and test data for one rifle, our early 580-series, a stainless Mini with the long, thinner, non-tapered older-style barrel.
Testing was done at 100 yards, with 5-shot groups. Ammo was Federal AE223G Jacketed Hollowpoint.
CONTROL GROUP (no strut)
Average group size: 3.25"
Standard deviation: 1.2"
TEST GROUP (Socom single-clamp strut installed)
Average group size: 3.65"
Standard deviation: 0.51"
CONCLUSION: To within 1 sigma deviation, there is NO support for accuracy improvement using a Socom strut on an older, thin-barrelled Mini. Note that the seeming increase in group size for the socom is really data scatter; it cannot be said that adding a Socom strut actually decreases accuacy. Also, there was a somewhat anomolous small group recorded for the control group; arguably this group should have been disincluded from the final analysis.
COMMENTS: This is only one rifle and one day of testing. Much more data is needed to increase confidence level, but this is a good start. Note that there is some anecdotal evidence from customers who have found a Socom strut to have accurizing benefits.
Purchasers of 2-clamp struts should feel confident that they chose the best chance for accurizing their long-barreled guns. Owners of short-barreled rifles may also be OK choosing the single-clamp strut; more testing is needed here.
FURTHER TESTING: Testing on other rifles, and other configurations, for example short, tactical-length Minis (both thin and thick barrels).
The struts have never really been on my radar, as I have a 580 Tactical. However, I think the dual clamp version would be on my rifle if it were a pencil barrel.
As promised, I'm presenting results from the first set of trials on the Socom accurizing strut (as most of you know, the Socom is a shorter, single-clamp version of the Accu-strut). This will be a rather informal summary for brevity. I can supply more detailed test info if needed. Note that these results are good ONLY for a full-length, tapered 5/8" barrel.
580-SERIES MINI-14 W/ TAPERED FULL-LENGTH 5/8" BBL, no strut (control group)
ave: 2.5" (std dev .64)
__________________________________________________ _____________
Logoed Socom
ave: 2.9" (std dev .54)
Socom HS prototype
ave: 2.0" (std dev .49)
CONCLUSION: To within one sigma of standard deviation, there is NO support for improvement in accuracy for the Socom model on a long, thick tapered mini. This rifle is a 2-and-a-half-inch grouper, give or take a half inch, with or without a strut. However, it DOES look good! More testing on the way...
I'm researching barrel struts for my 185-series Mini with the traditional thin barrel, both for increased accuracy and aesthetics. After reading about all the top brands and models available, my preference would be the Accu-Strut SOCOM. My Mini has a Choate front sight/muzzle break and I think the socom would maintain more of an M-14/M1A look than the standard 5 7/8" version.
I wanted to ask you about using two clamps with the SOCOM. First, would you be willing to supply/sell an extra clamp? Second, I noticed in an above post that someone asked about testing the socom with two clamps. Did you ever get a chance to test that?
I'm researching barrel struts for my 185-series Mini with the traditional thin barrel, both for increased accuracy and aesthetics. After reading about all the top brands and models available, my preference would be the Accu-Strut SOCOM. My Mini has a Choate front sight/muzzle break and I think the socom would maintain more of an M-14/M1A look than the standard 5 7/8" version.
I wanted to ask you about using two clamps with the SOCOM. First, would you be willing to supply/sell an extra clamp? Second, I noticed in an above post that someone asked about testing the socom with two clamps. Did you ever get a chance to test that?
Thanks!
Yes, no problem with the extra clamp. Send me a PM.
As far as the testing, that configuration is still in the testing queue.
I'm researching barrel struts for my 185-series Mini with the traditional thin barrel, both for increased accuracy and aesthetics. After reading about all the top brands and models available, my preference would be the Accu-Strut SOCOM. My Mini has a Choate front sight/muzzle break and I think the socom would maintain more of an M-14/M1A look than the standard 5 7/8" version.
I wanted to ask you about using two clamps with the SOCOM. First, would you be willing to supply/sell an extra clamp? Second, I noticed in an above post that someone asked about testing the socom with two clamps. Did you ever get a chance to test that?
Thanks!
I have a similar set up, but I have a shortened barrel with a suppressor site added (chote?). I am very interested in trying the Socom with two straps also. I would be willing to submit some bench results also.
I'm researching barrel struts for my 185-series Mini with the traditional thin barrel, both for increased accuracy and aesthetics. After reading about all the top brands and models available, my preference would be the Accu-Strut SOCOM. My Mini has a Choate front sight/muzzle break and I think the socom would maintain more of an M-14/M1A look than the standard 5 7/8" version.
I wanted to ask you about using two clamps with the SOCOM. First, would you be willing to supply/sell an extra clamp? Second, I noticed in an above post that someone asked about testing the socom with two clamps. Did you ever get a chance to test that?
Thanks!
I'm curious about 2 clamps on a SOCOM as well. For the same reason of wanting a shorter strut while still getting some added benefits. Admittedly, I have a 581 series with thicker barrel so even the full size struts have questionable benefits other than maybe allowing heat dispersion.
As you know, my first impression’s of the SOCOM are positive. I have yet to make the range though, to see if there is any type of improvement in accuracy. It does look good on the rifle but, as a consumer, I would hate to learn that it’s for looks only, on any rifle.
I understand, it’s stated, it may not increase accuracy on some rifle’s. But, if this is the first data on the SOCOM. That leads me to believe that there was no testing of it on any rifles prior to being released to the public? Please correct me if I am wrong. And I am by no means trying to be difficult or flame you. I’m just wanting to understand better, of a product I bought. I also relate to health issue’s, I suffer from some bad one’s and know, sometimes it can limit what we do.
If the consumer is actually doing the beta testing for the SOCOM after its been released. It might be best, to let people know up front before they purchase, that for this specific product, there is no data at this time that support’s it works (on any rifle). Because on your website, it sounds as if it has been tested and has been shown to work on some rifles.
I still think at this point it’s a good product and, it might take a combination of things, which includes the SOCOM, to tame the whip and make things more consistent with a pencil barreled Mini. I’ll let ya know how it goes either way.
I did not realize this was unclear. Yes, that is all the data. The Socom was released due to insistent demand, with the understanding that test data was not available. I will review the website and see if anything needs to more explicit.
Off the top I do notice that it's clearly stated that in some cases at least, there is no accuracy improvement. I have had some feedback from customers who did say it did help on their rifle, however.
The accuracy performance of the Ruger Mini-14 can be rather variable thus the efficacy of any corrective device will also be variable.
As a general rule the earlier lighter barrelled rifles will show the greatest improvement which has indeed been shown over the years now.
It seems to me the emphasis has been placed upon group size but there is more to using one of these struts. The late model heavier barrelled Mini-14 may exhibit nice 3-5 shot groups but start to throw shots once the barrel is hot. The strut will surely mitigate this tendency to some degree even when considering the shorter 16.125" tactical barrel and a short strut such as the Socom.
Group size is important but consistency is even more so, in my opinion, for this class of rifle.
Think I'm going to drop out of this thread and go back to beta testing. I will though, present my finding's of the Strut, here on PU and my Mini-14 page on FB.
Testing on 16" tactical barrels has not been done. It's next on the list, but I can't say when this might happen. To be absoultely honest, I would actually be surprised if strutting a short barrel will help, as it's already pretty much stabilized.
. But seriously, my test tech is putting together a test protocol as we speak. I will put the results here (Nest subforum) as soon as he feeds me the data (and I crunch the numbers; my test guy is better at shooting than math 
)
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