Mini 14 vs AR15 smackdown!

[Hog Patrol]

They may have gotten better in the last few years but the best groups I've observed with them is 1 & 1/2 inches at 50 yards. Once they got hot, it was game over for them. I would go with a minimum of 62 and 69 gr bullets out of a 9 twist. Good luck. It should be a cake walk.

[flashhole]

Wow, no love for the Mini in this thread.

I bought a Mini 14 last summer. 583 series, stainless, synthetic. Scoped it and tried several handloads. A few loads shot poorly but most shot about 1.5 MOA. Pulled the scope and put a red dot on it. Fun gun to shoot and I'm happy with my purchase.

I agree regarding same ammo, 20 round group. Level the playing field if you are comparing guns mano y mano.

[dungheap]

My AR is a 10 twist 16 inch barreled Olympic Arms. I used GI brass, Remington 7 1/2 primers, 26.5gr 748 behind cheap Winchester 55gr FMJ bullets for shooting bowling pins at 200 yards, and that combo would whack them 10 for 10 as fast as you could get the crosshairs on them. Might be worth a try.

[Bayou City Boy]

I own several very accurate AR-15 rifles that fill the bill nicely if I need pristine accuracy from any of them

That said, I've owned a stainless/synthetic Mini 14 Ranch Rifle for years and it is and always has been a less than 1" shooter at 50 yards with the factory open sights. For me, that is good enough for what it is and it is one of the most fun plinking rifles I've ever owned. It's extremely durable and it goes bang every time I ask it to go bang, clean or dirty from riding a 4-wheeler in any and all weather conditions. And it generally hits what I point it at within 150 yards. Maybe not on the exact hair on the critter that I'm aiming at , but I don't expect it to.

Whats not to like?

-BCB

[dogdown]

Now Chuck, you know that mini can't do what that scary black assault rifle is capable of doing. Just ask any Liberal.

[TinMan]

Make sure to try 52g SMK in AR also. Good bullets make a big difference. Near max load with any decent 223 class powder - W748, AA2230, H335, etc.

[df06]

From my experience, there is no comparison. I know several guys with mini 14s that are lucky to get 2" groups, 5 shots at 100 yards. Both of my stock ARs are easy sub 1" and the colt is close to 1/2"

There are some guys that specialize in accurizing Mini 14s. My brother had one done and it shoots 1" groups. It was re barreled and I believe some other things were done to it. But you still have a Mini 14.

[Chuck Miller]

I told Gregg he could choose the ammo ....got no response back? He doesn't reload so he'll be picking some high end ammo. We'll see, regardless loaded or reloads doesn't matter to me....I've seen what his rifle will shoot, I know what this AR will have to shoot.

[dungheap]

[quote=df06;250471] ...

There are some guys that specialize in accurizing Mini 14s. My brother had one done and it shoots 1" groups. It was re barreled and I believe some other things were done to it. But you still have a Mini 14.[/QUOTE

That is true! I believe the rebarreling and accurizing end up costing more than the gun, too. I'd say the AR platform is probably the most hot rodded, most customized firearm, period, considering all the accessory items available for them. There are an awful lot of them that shoot really well right out of the box, especially if you get one with a good trigger or install an aftermarket trigger.

Can't wait to see the results of this "duel." In this case, using high end ammo is like expecting a steak dinner to mend a failing marriage.

[gzig5]

Guys! The A-Team couldn't have been wrong could it? Hannibal Smith and B. A. Baracus wouldn't have used the Mini-14 unless it was the best rifle available, would they?