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Mini-14, Ranch vs. Tactical?

96K views 83 replies 39 participants last post by  Sicamosley  
#1 ·
I have decided to buy a Mini-14. I was looking for an AR15 for quite awhile, but I have decided that for my use, I may as well save a few bucks....to be honest, I like the looks of the Mini vs a AR15/M4 anyway.

My question is, for you more knowledgable Mini-14 owners....what are the differences between the Ranch Rifle and the Tactical? Is it just the flash hider and 2 inches of barrel?

My use would be....corner of the bedroom rifle, bouncing around the pickup rifle, and once in a great while I would slap a scope on it and shoot a coyote.

What say you?:)
 
#3 ·
Based only on your described use I think the Ranch will serve you fine. The Mini 14 isn't the most accurate rifle in the world, wasn't designed to be, but it is exactly as described ... a ranch rifle. It will work great for the Zombies of the night, will continue to work after having it behind the seat of the truck and will send a coyote rolling, but even with a scope it will not be a target rifle. If you expect 2" groups (with a scope) at 100 yards going into the purchase you won't be disappointed.
 
#4 ·
I agree, 2inches is normal at 100. See nutnfancy's new video of it at his youtube page. I think the Mini is great, but note the loud clinking in the action compared to the ARs. It sounds like its beating itself up.
 
#30 ·
The AR "clinks" when you work the action as well. You are not gonna hear either one over the report of the rifle. If you are worried about the rifle beating itself up, run buffers in the Mini. I use a Wilson 1911 buffer front and back, makes the action cycle smoother, eliminates metal to metal contact from the op rod slamming into the gas block and receiver, and is still 100 % reliable. Location of buffers, and my customized Mini.
 

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#7 ·
I had 2 stainless models about 7 years ago and they won't shoot worth a HOOT!!!:rolleyes: :( Traded them off quicker than a jackrabbit can move across my driveway.:)

However this past summer I got to reading an article in Soldier Of Forturne magazine and the Army was testing out those new Rugers in another caliber. The author tested a couple, one being in the .223 cal and it produced groups under 3 inches and sometimes under 2.5 inches.

I purchased one for the wife, as she did not like the "black-rifle" idea, so it was the stainless Ruger in .223 and with the right ammo, it shot very close to 2 inches at the bench for 100 yards. I am positive that with a little reloading and trial & error at the bench, one could get it to shoot 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards.:)
 
#8 ·
I'd say a Mini would do well. The new Mini's perform much better than some of the earlier models.

I bought my s/s Ranch in about '94, and although reliable, it wasn't so accurate. So, last year, after doing some research, I went and "reworked" it, making quite a few mods to the rifle. Now, when mated to hand loads, my Mini consistently shoots 5 rounds into 1-1/2" groups at 100 yards, scoped. And I am working on and have seen even better groups.

I got motivated on this project first, to get the Mini to do better, and second, got real tired of the "comments" from the AR crowd. I think most Mini owners who have a few simple shop skills can also make their Mini work better.

I'm also a shepherd, and I dare a coyote to come into my pastures!
 
#9 ·
I'm also looking to get a Mini-14. I am a huge fan of Ruger revolvers but I'm not too up on the rifles. I like the stainless with the wood stock, so I guess I will be looking for a used one. I assume they don't make them with wood anymore.

I am not an accuracy nut, I don't break out the micrometer and measure my groups. My measure of an "acceptable standard" is I post up a few police silhouette targets at 100 yards, and if I can put a decent cluster at center mass then it passes my standard. If I can put rounds on a man sized silhouette target at 200 yards then it also passes what I feel is practical accuracy. The reason I like Ruger is the durability and reliability, I don't mind giving up 1" at 100 yards over my Bushmaster AR-15.

To be honest after 3 years in the Army Infantry I really don't have the desire to buy any more AR-15 type rifles, I already have a few "M16 retro" clones and 2 Bushmasters. The idea of all the piston rifles doesn't fire me up, I kind of want to get away from the whole military-tactical-SWAT thing. I like the 5.56-.223 round as an all purpose fun and protection round, and I think the Mini 14 is just the "different" rifle that I am looking for.
 
#19 ·
#13 ·
Ruger MIni 14 and Mini 14 Tactical Both great rifles!!

Both rifles would suit your needs. I have a Mini 14 Stainless Ranch Rifle mine is of 1999-2000 vintage I totally love shooting this gun. I have been out with it 3 times all during very cold weather and I bought a scope for it but I haven't sighted it in with the scope yet. Personally so far I very much enjoy shooting this rife with the peep sights that came with it! I can shoot pretty much anything I have loaded in it with no jams or malfunction of any sort yet! I took a 1 gal milk jug put it out at about 80 yds and then started to blam away at it the results were that the milk jug took several hits jumping 20 to 30 feet with each hit and when I was done with it was out over 100 yds! That was done with the cheap steel cased Wolf Ammo! I can get a strut set up on it but I am going to see how it does in its factory oem form first then go from there. Yes it isn't a target rifle but if I can get 2-3 inch groups at 100 yds that is good enough for my use. I bought mine for recreational shooting in mind that if I see a coyote while I am out shooting well I can blast away at a coyote as well no matter what gun you decide on will not be a target rifle but rather as the name states atleast on one a Ranch Rifle and aply named and well suited!!! Great little rifles there are alot of nice one's out there mine appeared to be NIB not fired when I got it.:D Good Luck to you!!!!:D
 
#14 ·
AFAIK, the only differences between the Ranch and the Tactical are the barrel length and flash suppressor. I asked the same question at Perfect Union and someone added that the Tactical barrel is hammer forged, but I don't know if that's not true for all Mini barrels.

I agree with you on the Mini vs. the ARs. I like the "cleanliness" of the Mini. It's really sweet to hold and shoot. Perfectly balanced in the palm of your hand when you hold it by the fore-end. I'm not a big fan of all kinds of stuff sticking out in all directions (pistol grip, magazine, carrying handle, front site, rear site, weapons rails, etc).
 
#18 ·
I just picked up the Distributor Exclusive Circassian walnut model. It has a flash hider and a thirty-round mag (although they sent me a five-round mag by mistake).

I like it a lot.....anybody else pick up one of these? Beautiful wood and has a real old-school look to it.

Got to take it out and see how it shoots today.

:)
 
#21 ·
If my experience is any indication, I have 2 stainless Ranch Rifles, a 580 and a 581 both with tapered barrels. In order to eliminate stringing and to improve groups I had to add Accustruts to both and re-torque the gas blocks. They now shoot into 1 1/4 inch at 50 yards. I recently acquired a Tactical and without any modifications it shoots 1/2 inch groups at 50 with no stringing. It may be just the luck of the draw but if I buy another Mini it will be another Tactical.
 
#22 ·
the problem with acuracy is how the rifle is bedded, or not bedded for that matter. the only thing holding the barrel/upper part of the rifle in the stock is the trigger latch/catch thing. and the ultra light weight 55 gr. bullets. heavier bullets shoot flatter and more consistant, sometimes the 55 gr bullets fail to even stabilize at all.

im sure you fellas here are familiar with the Rifle Accuracy Systems Inc Custom Accurate Rifles Barrel Conversions Ruger Mini Remington 700 7400 750 AR10 AR15 heavy barreling of mini-14 and mini-30's. also they offer 4 point machine hex nute bedding into the reciever, also they offer accuracy packages with barrels up to and exceding 1.15 inches OAD. they also have different gas blocks.

a rifle done up by these guys, for 'round $900.00 plus the cost of your mini-14, you will have the company gurantee you 1/4 M.O.A. mini-14 accuracy, depending on the package you get, all are as good a 1 M.O.A. at very least.

another thing, the mini-14 up until the 580xxx numbered guns, had barrels THINNER than a 10/22 standard .22lr?!?!?!?

now the 580xxx & up guns have a fat taper, and are as fat or a little more than a 10/22, but fat and heavy VS. light and whippy barrels is a personal chioce/prefference.

the heavy fat barrels are more accurate, but take A LOT longer to cool down after you ripp a big clip through them, and once they get hot they are off their mark pretty good,

light whippy barrel guns get hot much quicker, but also cool down much quicker, and are sooted to just dumping ammo like nuts over the heavy barrel.

light barrels you probably get bout 5 or so good shots before you shoudl let it cool back down for accuracy's sake, other than that i have heated MINI's up till cook off, and they still are with me and work fine.

heavy barrel, you will get probably a dozen or so great shot till you got to wait forever and a day for the barrel to cool down, for accuracy's sake.

my .02 cents, as a 2+decade Mini-14 user.

Ruger Mini 14 30 Rifles Barrel Conversions New Rifle Packages Accuracy Systems

PLEASE IF YOU OWN A MINI-14/30 YOU MUST CHECK THIS LINK OUT< PLEASE.

scroll down to mid page for pics. these are some of the most bad a$$ mini's you WILL EVER SEE. nothing from any manufacturer can compare to these mini's, no FN scar-16, no sig 556, nothing at all touches these.
 
#25 ·
thank you tgwillard for the hint,

i checked out the accu-strut web site and the product made sense and the testimonials sold me. as i cant afford to send my rifle to accuracy systems to get "done right" and the strut seems to do all i want, as the accuracy systems rifles are SWEET, it is a bit overkill for me.

even the base conversion to the smallest fat barrel they have, is more than i am willing to spend right now as i have the itch for getting my collection rounded out with the following; Sig Sauer p226, beretta 96 W/ 92fs barrel recoils spring setup for multi calibers, CZ-P07 duty or CZ-75b, and a hammer fired polymer gun of some type, either a ruger P series or sig P250.

so im in to spend some bucks, but not on just one rifle.:D
 
#28 ·
Hi Everyone. Pardon me but I just want to say to the OP that I shoot a Mini-30. Love the 7.62x39 round. Have only added a nice Red Dot [aging eyes] and the rifle is awesome out to 200 yds. I have found it to be very accurate. I can put all my rounds easily into the center of an 8" paper plate at 100 yrds off hand. Good luck with you decision OP.