slofr8

Hi all, been lurking for a while but this is the first post.
I had my mini (182 serial #) shooting pretty good a couple of months ago. I set up a 14x18 metal target at 300 yds. and hit it twice in a row about 6" apart. Iron sights.
O.K. So now I want to add a few extras and shoot it a little more. I striped and cleaned it, added a Hogue overmolded stock, and a flash suppressor. It wasn't until today that I got to try it and I took a couple of shots at the 300. Nothing. Took 2 more at the 200 nothing. Upon inspection I saw that I was low. About 12-18" low at the 200. The rear sight adjustments won't allow for this much adjustment. What the heck happened to my mini? I'm thinking I can either file the front sight or drill a higher hole in the rear but still, WTF happened?
Dan.

MZ5

Don't know what happened for sure. Maybe-possibly just needs to settle back into it's fouled-barrel POI since you cleaned it. However, and I personally think these are likely suspects, changing pressure points or adding weight to the end of a rifle barrel will affect a rifle's POI. Not much due to pure weight causing the muzzle to droop, but because both a weight and a pressure point affect the 'harmonics' of the barrel, and that will cause POI changes. The changes can be both horizontal and vertical, but vertical is pretty well always by far the largest change.

Put the gun back in the old stock first, and see what happens. If that doesn't 'fix' it, take the flash suppressor back off and see what happens. My guess is it'll be one of the two, or possibly a combination of both.

Benemorte

I agree with changing the stock back and trying again. The Hogue overmolded stocks free-float your barrel, and that will actually let the barrel rest where it wants to be, not where the stock forces it to be.

gfw1985

Any other variables to consider not mentioned? Ammo, type of rest(bi-pod/sandbag)?

P89Guy

did you at any point adjust or re-adjust the gas block?

that will change your POI

slofr8

Thaks for the replies everyone.
I came home from work and disassembled again. I wanted to make sure all was O.K. with the gas block system. I don't have what I need to torque the screws but used a feeler gauge to insure even spacing on both sides.
I took a couple of shots at 25 meters and was just about 1/2" high. I should still be good at 200 yds. but I think I'm lollipopping the target. I had the sights set for this for years but I think I may have done it yesterday too. I know I was compensating when I shot at the 300 before.

When I shot before it was on sand bags. Yesterday I was prone using a sling as I've been shooting a lot of .22 using peep sights and a sling. I'm amazed at how it's improved my shooting. I will, for sure, try the old stock again. Then the Hogue again. I took one shot tonight (was getting dark) at 200 and was low. I was purposely lollipopping but with no room left for elevation adjustment, it's something I'll have to figure out. I have room to shoot to 500 yards behind the house and really like shooting the iron sights.
I contacted Ruger to see if they offer rear sights with the peep hole drilled higher. I'm waiting for a reply.
Thanks again, I'll really spend some time on it on my next day off. I'll be sure to post an update.
Dan.

P89Guy

This is a good and inexpensive set of aftermarket rear sights that works really well in my opinion (especially with some loctite after sighting in):

Williams WGRS-Mini-14/30 Guide Receiver Peep Sight Ruger Mini-14 Ranch

I have these on my 196-series, and it works really well. The biggest complaints are the gap under the dovetail, and the aperture coming loose.

The first is mainly for looks, and the second is resolved with loctite.

Also, another good option that I was going to go with is the tech sights

MINI 14/RANCH® Rifle - adjustable aperture sights

a little pricier but they supposedly work well, have windage and elevation adjustments.

Some people also use M1 carbine rear sights and modify them to fit.

slofr8

I have Williams sights on two other rifles and like them. I have techsights on a 10/22 and LOVE them. This is where I was going to go with this but I heard back from Ruger and called thier parts department. I explained my situation to a real nice girl and told her that I'm at the end of adjustment at 100 yds. She said they make a Xtra low, medium, and Xtra high rear sight for my rifle. Well I told her I need the Xtra high one and gave her my address.
She said "O.K. I'll send it right out" I told her she still needed my credit card #.
"OH no" she said "we'll send you that for free"
I almost fell down. I have a couple of Rugers now and just ordered an other a couple of days ago. Can't beat that for cusomer service.

Benemorte

That's Ruger for ya.

wsteinborn

check that flash hider, too.

depending on a lot of things it could be toying with your outbound rounds.

ditto1958

Try aiming a little higher when you shoot it.

slofr8

I tried without and it's still low. Not saying it's not afecting it in some way, I'll have to more shooting with and wit out.

slofr8

Now that's funny! Actually that must be how I hit with it a couple of months ago.
I do this for fun with the 10/22. Cover the whole 14"x18" target with the barrel. Probably aiming 12'-15' over at 300 yrds. It's no where near consistent, maybe 3 or so out of 10 but fun as all get out. I just feel the ballistics of the .223 has more to offer, and I'd like to be able to get out to 400 or maybe 500 yrds. That's about as far as I could safely shoot here but would be cool with iron sights I think.
Dan.