Mini 14 target...

madderg · 02-16-2010, 06:36 PM

I'm almost ready to take this rifle to the range...next week when I get some time! I plan on shooting Hornady 68 gr. Match [moly-coated] over 25 grains of Varget. I have worked the trigger group and put in an over-travel set screw. a stronger recoil spring and a stronger hammer spring and a shock buffer. I then bedded the receiver and changed out the gas block with an adjustable one... [ .625 works ] and topped it all off with one of my favorite old scopes, a Simons 24 fixed power varmint/target scope...they made a good scope back then! The bullets are set out to 2.265. I can't wait to go dial it in. I'll let you know how it goes with some pictures and targets. Good shooting, Gary

curt mini14 · 02-17-2010, 04:28 AM

that should be a tack driver thats one of my best loads cant wait to here the results that will be a lot of fun good shooting

marlinspike · 02-17-2010, 04:53 AM

You sure did a lot of mods to yours. From experience with mine, I don't think there's any need to work up an expensive load. It seems to me that you can get great accuracy from any ammo so long as you dial in the barrel weight.

The biggest challenge for me has been getting the mag lips just right. Watch the result of each shot - you'll know your mag lips needs adjustment when the bullets that feed from the right go somewhere else than the ones that feed from the left. At one point I shot a 5 round group with 3 shots touching in one spot and 2 shots touching 2 inches away from those other 3.

madderg · 02-17-2010, 05:09 AM

Are you sure it the mag?? sounds like it could be a bedding problem where the rifle shifts in the stock from side to side.

marlinspike · 02-17-2010, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madderg

Are you sure it the mag?? sounds like it could be a bedding problem where the rifle shifts in the stock from side to side.

Yeah, it's the mag. I got the idea from a garand shooter at the club. You could see when you cycled the action that the bullets feeding from the right side were getting slammed against the side of the chamber on their way in.

madderg · 02-24-2010, 05:10 PM

Went to the range today...with a 20+mph crosswind. The 68's shot OK...not what I expected Next time gonna give Sierra 53 match and Horady 60 HP a go. Other then that, the gas block works fine, got it dialed down to less then a 5 foot throw. 100 rounds and not one problem, the gun was a breeze to clean also. Good shooting, Gary

marlinspike · 02-24-2010, 05:58 PM

So is the gas block the one on the accuracy systems inc website?

Also, I really do think you're wasting your time trying so many bullet weights. From reading other people's experience, it seems the way to go with the barrel weight is just find whatever 55-68gr bullet you can get readily and inexpensively and then dial it in with the weight.

madderg · 02-25-2010, 05:58 AM

I'm an old bench rest shooter...I can't help but try to squeeze every last bit of accuracy out of a gun...

madderg · 02-26-2010, 04:03 AM

The gas block is from ASI..it's the .625 and fits the target rifle.

marlinspike · 02-26-2010, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madderg

I'm an old bench rest shooter...I can't help but try to squeeze every last bit of accuracy out of a gun...

Ha, I see those guys at the club, notebooks and everything.

The problem is, you'll have to spend days doing it that way, because the harmonic balancer needs to be in a different spot if you change anything. I wonder if maybe taking the harmonic balancer off would tell you which is the most accurate round when you put it back on (i.e. most accurate with no balancer is most accurate with balancer)?

squarehead · 02-27-2010, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlinspike

Ha, I see those guys at the club, notebooks and everything.

The problem is, you'll have to spend days doing it that way, because the harmonic balancer needs to be in a different spot if you change anything. I wonder if maybe taking the harmonic balancer off would tell you which is the most accurate round when you put it back on (i.e. most accurate with no balancer is most accurate with balancer)?

madderg's got the time, bro!!
I know his type and he's love'n "squeeze'n every ounce of accuracy" outta his rifle. My best buddy is the same... Hell, it's a healthy hobby!!
I give him a BIG thumbs up!!

I'll send him my Target 14 and pay him to find the best load and harmonic setting!!

Take care,

Keith
Toronto, Canada

madderg · 02-27-2010, 06:12 PM

Keith, when I find the loads that are best I'll post them, and the exact distance from the muzzle for setting the balancer for each one. Good shooting! Gary

madderg · 03-09-2010, 02:35 PM

I'm getting there! This is with 55 gr. V-Max over 25 grains of Reloader 15, could probably go 26. The tuner was all the way in, 4 turns. I got some Sierra 60 HP loaded over 25.3 gr. Reloader 15 for the next time out. I love the way this rifle shoots. Also used 53gr Sierra Match at 1 full turn in with good results. As you adjust the tuner your point of aim goes all over the place, lots of re-setting the scope.

marlinspike · 03-09-2010, 02:36 PM

Dude...can you come to Virginia and dial in my Target mini for me? Lol. Who did your bedding, or did you do it yourself?

madderg · 03-09-2010, 04:57 PM

Did it myself, there is a video at Brownell's that shows how. I've bedded rifles before, always bolt guns. Use clear Kiwi shoe polish for a releasing agent! I also put .012 brass shims behind the sides that screw into the stock. Lots of fun stuff!!

02-16-2010, 06:36 PM	#1
madderg Joined: Jan 2010 From: salem oregon Posts: 79	Mini 14 target... I'm almost ready to take this rifle to the range...next week when I get some time! I plan on shooting Hornady 68 gr. Match [moly-coated] over 25 grains of Varget. I have worked the trigger group and put in an over-travel set screw. a stronger recoil spring and a stronger hammer spring and a shock buffer. I then bedded the receiver and changed out the gas block with an adjustable one... [ .625 works ] and topped it all off with one of my favorite old scopes, a Simons 24 fixed power varmint/target scope...they made a good scope back then! The bullets are set out to 2.265. I can't wait to go dial it in. I'll let you know how it goes with some pictures and targets. Good shooting, Gary Last edited by madderg; 02-16-2010 at 06:38 PM.

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02-17-2010, 04:28 AM	#2
curt mini14 Joined: Feb 2010 From: northern arizona Posts: 56	that should be a tack driver thats one of my best loads cant wait to here the results that will be a lot of fun good shooting

02-17-2010, 04:53 AM	#3
marlinspike Joined: Jan 2010 From: Virginia Posts: 206	You sure did a lot of mods to yours. From experience with mine, I don't think there's any need to work up an expensive load. It seems to me that you can get great accuracy from any ammo so long as you dial in the barrel weight. The biggest challenge for me has been getting the mag lips just right. Watch the result of each shot - you'll know your mag lips needs adjustment when the bullets that feed from the right go somewhere else than the ones that feed from the left. At one point I shot a 5 round group with 3 shots touching in one spot and 2 shots touching 2 inches away from those other 3.

02-17-2010, 05:09 AM	#4
madderg Joined: Jan 2010 From: salem oregon Posts: 79	Are you sure it the mag?? sounds like it could be a bedding problem where the rifle shifts in the stock from side to side.

02-24-2010, 05:10 PM	#6
madderg Joined: Jan 2010 From: salem oregon Posts: 79	Went to the range today...with a 20+mph crosswind. The 68's shot OK...not what I expected Next time gonna give Sierra 53 match and Horady 60 HP a go. Other then that, the gas block works fine, got it dialed down to less then a 5 foot throw. 100 rounds and not one problem, the gun was a breeze to clean also. Good shooting, Gary

02-24-2010, 05:58 PM	#7
marlinspike Joined: Jan 2010 From: Virginia Posts: 206	So is the gas block the one on the accuracy systems inc website? Also, I really do think you're wasting your time trying so many bullet weights. From reading other people's experience, it seems the way to go with the barrel weight is just find whatever 55-68gr bullet you can get readily and inexpensively and then dial it in with the weight.

02-25-2010, 05:58 AM	#8
madderg Joined: Jan 2010 From: salem oregon Posts: 79	I'm an old bench rest shooter...I can't help but try to squeeze every last bit of accuracy out of a gun...

02-26-2010, 04:03 AM	#9
madderg Joined: Jan 2010 From: salem oregon Posts: 79	The gas block is from ASI..it's the .625 and fits the target rifle.

02-27-2010, 06:12 PM	#12
madderg Joined: Jan 2010 From: salem oregon Posts: 79	Keith, when I find the loads that are best I'll post them, and the exact distance from the muzzle for setting the balancer for each one. Good shooting! Gary

03-09-2010, 02:36 PM	#14
marlinspike Joined: Jan 2010 From: Virginia Posts: 206	Dude...can you come to Virginia and dial in my Target mini for me? Lol. Who did your bedding, or did you do it yourself?

03-09-2010, 04:57 PM	#15
madderg Joined: Jan 2010 From: salem oregon Posts: 79	Did it myself, there is a video at Brownell's that shows how. I've bedded rifles before, always bolt guns. Use clear Kiwi shoe polish for a releasing agent! I also put .012 brass shims behind the sides that screw into the stock. Lots of fun stuff!!