Model 52 said:
"3) Putting 1 and 2 together, the Mini 14 was designed around 55 gr bullets at around 3000 fps, and a 1-10 twist Mini 14 will shoot them quite well. And at practical ranges out to 500 yards you are well served by a well chosen 55 gr bullet that can be launched at around 3100 fps in the 18" barrel"
I was under the impression the original 180 Mini's were 1/12 twist. I can't at this minute point at any documentation but that was my "understanding".
I whole heartedly agree. I really see no need for a 1/7 twist for those of us who regularly shoot under 500 yards. I think the 1/10 twist is also a great twist for 99% of what we shoot and where we shoot. (55 and 62 grain bullets) The wild card in all of this was the early Mini 14 barrel. Specifically the .560 diameter barrel. No matter what the twist, the barrel was just too light and too flexible. If the new .625 barrel would of been in a 1/10 twist, I'd still be good with it.
My theory is simple, it takes energy to spin the bullet. You can either spin the bullet or you can reduce the spin rate and gain some velocity. I like velocity. Almost as much as I like accuracy.
Your research is valid, at least in my world. The 1/8 twist barrel is gaining in popularity for good reason for those folks who want to shoot the longer bullets. Since 99.9% of us are not going to be shooting the long tracer ammo or 77 plus grain ammo, the 1/8, 1/9, and 1/10 barrels fit our needs. Ruger settled on the 1/9 in the 580 plus series and that is a good compromise. I have recently started loading some 62, 63 and 64 grain bullets to shoot out of my Mini's. As always, I'm looking for that "perfect" load to shoot out of my Mini.
kwg
