if accuarcy is you MAIN concern....then yeah...target model however, the target model give up a few of the great features of the mini. it is heavy, not chambered in 5.56, no iron sights. imo the target model is probably best for paper punching or hunting.
the modern ranch rifles are good all around rifles. ok shooters out of the box, pretty good shooters if you work with them a bit.
tacticals offer a shorter barrel, which some think benefits accuracy. idk for sure on that. they come with flash hinders, and some with pistol grip/tactical stocks.
the poor accuracy is generally the older models (pre ranch). but there are many ways to make them shooters as well. many think the craftsmanship on the older models is superior to the newer ones which are bit more utilitarian.
i have a stainless steel ranch model. after some work, its a good shooter for any practical needs. thus far, it has had 1 malfunction in 1300 rounds (but i do take good care of it). its been a great gun imo.
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"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good." -George Washington
Mine. Oh wait, that's not a model. Lol. I put my money on the target model for most accurate, but I already had a bolt action savage for that..so i actually didn't put my money on that.
For reliability, I doubt there's any difference....unless the target model lasts a little longer due to .223 only chamber and lower pressures from not allowing 5.56 NATA ammo. Seems unlikely though. I bet they all last a long time.
if accuarcy is you MAIN concern....then yeah...target model however, the target model give up a few of the great features of the mini. it is heavy, not chambered in 5.56, no iron sights. imo the target model is probably best for paper punching or hunting.
the modern ranch rifles are good all around rifles. ok shooters out of the box, pretty good shooters if you work with them a bit.
tacticals offer a shorter barrel, which some think benefits accuracy. idk for sure on that. they come with flash hinders, and some with pistol grip/tactical stocks.
the poor accuracy is generally the older models (pre ranch). but there are many ways to make them shooters as well. many think the craftsmanship on the older models is superior to the newer ones which are bit more utilitarian.
i have a stainless steel ranch model. after some work, its a good shooter for any practical needs. thus far, it has had 1 malfunction in 1300 rounds (but i do take good care of it). its been a great gun imo.
hope this helps a bit?
This definitely addresses my concern, I should have been more specific, thanks Hawkguy!
The best one of course is a 581 ranch in wood. I am kidding and of course biased.
Bone stock, the target model would be the most accurate, but between the other 581s, its probably a toss up based upon how well one was assembled by Ruger. The ability to shoot 5.56 is important to me, so I'd say the standard tactical or ranch model would be a toss up based upon your preference for appearance and stock material. I am also not a fan of the threaded barrel weight on the target model, but that's just me.
For what it's worth, the wood stock on my 581 is nice and tight on the receiver, but the factory gas block torque was bad. After fixing that and breaking in the action, its an accurate shooter. My best 5rd group to date was 0.6" at 50 yards, which I think is limited by my ability to shoot off the crappy front-rest only, wobbly 'bench' I was on. Its consistently around an inch off that. I don't consider it a bench rest gun, so that's plenty good for me. I'm sure I would do better off a real bench with the rear supported.
Okay, a previous tread got me going so now I'm curious, which model Mini-14 is the most accurate and most reliable model?
I have an older 182 ranch version, the target model would probably be the more accurate out of the box, but any rifle will be more accurate with a few mods. I can hit just about anything within a reasonable range, well that I think is within range, like a gallon jug of water at 200 yds, I'm not that good of a shooter past that, too old. JMO
My 580 series thin profile barreled mini-14 was a great shooter right out of the box. I had a trigger job done, retorqed the gas block, added an accustrut, put a tapco stock on it, and wilson combat 1911 style recoil buffers front and back. With my handloads so far my best group at 100yrds is 1.25''. Its been super reliable and I havent had any issues whatsoever with it.
I bought it in 2007 right after the retooling at ruger and before the tapered barrel mini's came out. If it would not have shot as well as it did after my mods I would have bought a newer one. I like the tactical model and the tapered barreled ranch but my 580 skinny barrel mini is a damn good rifle and with it shooting as well as it does I will hang on to it for awhile.
Your question is actually two different questions with two different answers. Reliability (highest number of round counts between FTF's which are not ammo or magazine related), my vote goes to the 181 and newer standard (non-ranch) models. Accuracy, I would vote for a taper barrel tactical model. The reason I didn't vote for the Target model is that it needs to have the stabilizer tuned for each different load and it is .223 only.
I have an older 182 ranch version, the target model would probably be the more accurate out of the box, but any rifle will be more accurate with a few mods. I can hit just about anything within a reasonable range, well that I think is within range, like a gallon jug of water at 200 yds, I'm not that good of a shooter past that, too old. JMO
Okay, a previous tread got me going so now I'm curious, which model Mini-14 is the most accurate and most reliable model?
however, the target model give up a few of the great features of the mini. it is heavy, not chambered in 5.56, no iron sights. imo the target model is probably best for paper punching or hunting.
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