Ruger ranch mini 14 ?

[Ozarkwoodswalker]

Anyone here know anything about them ? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Just wondered if it might be a fun little varmit gun..

[BigAl52]

Forty will chime in Im sure. Accuracy has always been something that alot of people criticize this gun for. Just depends on how picky you are. Ive owned 2 of the newer models with black synthetic stocks. One in 300BO and one in 762x39. There ok but I would not buy another one.

[Hatchdog]

They have a reputation for being inaccurate but there’s more to the story than that. Originally the Mini 14 had a very thin pencil barrel which when heated up would cause shot stringing thus leading to it’s accuracy problems. Some years ago Ruger changed the barrel to a slightly heavier barrel which helps with that problem. I believe (fact check needed here) that the barrel change started with the 580 prefix serial numbers. Easiest way to tell if a rifle has the heavier barrel is it will have a slight taper right where it emerges from the stock. People will also add an aftermarket accessory called an Accu-Strut. This attaches to the barrel and helps stabilize the harmonics.

Keeping within it’s limits it can be a varmint gun. Maybe within 200 yards or so. I’ve been doing a little bit of accuracy work with mine using 77 gr and 69 gr bullets and have had some acceptable results. My Mini has a 1-9 twist but shoots the 77gr Sierra Matchking bullet fine. This bullet is recommended for 1-8 twist and faster. I’ll come back and post a couple of links to some range reports I have done in the past.


http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=10777


http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=10271

[fortyshooter]

I've had one for about seven years now and seems to be accurate for what I do around the range. Haven't had any issues with it so far.
Here is a short video of it along with my M1 Carbine. https://youtu.be/r_Mqm6EH9Qs

[Sir Henry]

I had one till about ten years ago and loved it. It was accurate out to 200 yards for me and I never understood the stringing problem.

Mine would have been made around 2001.

[Ozarkwoodswalker]

Thanks for the input guys!!! That's helpful.