Mrknot
Fanatic
After 20+ years of shooting ARs and AKs, my dad finally talked me into giving the Mini-14 a try.
Found a smokin deal on a like-new Mini-14 Tactical and took it to the range for the first time yesterday. Have to say, I was pretty impressed. I've always heared and read about the Mini's lack of accuracy, and while it was not the tack-driver my AR is, I was able to ring a 10" steel gong at 200 yds with 19 out of 20 rounds after sight-in with a Leupold 1X4 VX-1...good enough for me. I am sure the one miss was all me as I wasn't exactly taking my time between shots
Took the opportunity to try out some Tapco Mini-14 magazines as well, as I could not afford the rifle AND a good supply of $50ea factory mags, (the Tapcos ran right around $16 ea), and I was surprised by how well they worked as I am used to referring to their products as "Crap-co". Never had much luck with any of their stuff in the past...oh well, things change.
Started out using some steel-cased Wolf that my AR eats like candy, and that didn't go so well; lots of FTE and FTF malfs. As soon as I switched to American Eagle brass, it ran like butter.
The rifle only had about 200 rounds through it prior to yesterday though, so I will revisit the wolf in about 1000 rds after its well broken in.
Not going to give up the AR as my "primary" anytime soon, but the Mini is a sweet shooting little carbine!
Found a smokin deal on a like-new Mini-14 Tactical and took it to the range for the first time yesterday. Have to say, I was pretty impressed. I've always heared and read about the Mini's lack of accuracy, and while it was not the tack-driver my AR is, I was able to ring a 10" steel gong at 200 yds with 19 out of 20 rounds after sight-in with a Leupold 1X4 VX-1...good enough for me. I am sure the one miss was all me as I wasn't exactly taking my time between shots

Took the opportunity to try out some Tapco Mini-14 magazines as well, as I could not afford the rifle AND a good supply of $50ea factory mags, (the Tapcos ran right around $16 ea), and I was surprised by how well they worked as I am used to referring to their products as "Crap-co". Never had much luck with any of their stuff in the past...oh well, things change.
Started out using some steel-cased Wolf that my AR eats like candy, and that didn't go so well; lots of FTE and FTF malfs. As soon as I switched to American Eagle brass, it ran like butter.
The rifle only had about 200 rounds through it prior to yesterday though, so I will revisit the wolf in about 1000 rds after its well broken in.
Not going to give up the AR as my "primary" anytime soon, but the Mini is a sweet shooting little carbine!