I am in the market for a heavier barrel for my Mini-14. The standard light barrel on the Mini-14 sags after a couple of shots and kills the accuracy of the Mini-14 in no time. Also, the grouping on the Mini-14 at 100 yards, even when cold, is not all that great.

I have my Brownell catalog sitting here in my lap and I was eyeing the Shilen Mini-14 Heavy Barrel (Page 37 of Catalog 55 or www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=12380&s=29109#29109). It appears to be a good choice at .821 across, and 20" long, which would put it in the larger AR-15 size barrels.
Now, anyone out there own a Mini-14 with a Heavy Barrel and want to comment?

Thanks!

[This message is a cross post from another section]

You might want to go check out www.perfectunion.com.

Mini-14s have quite the fan club there.

I have a compadre with a mini-14 that has a custom bull barrel installed.  The gun is a shooter, but the cost was basically a new mini.  I think Vandenberg Custom did the job, and it lives up to their reputation.  The shilen barrel in brownells is not a drop in, needing drilling of the gas port and final reaming to set headspace, I think.  find someone who can install it first, get an idea of the bucks and then make up your mind.  But they will shoot. edited to add the following:
copy and paste
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/min14con.htm
check it out, maybe you don't need a new barrel.

I have a Mini-14  with the Shilen crome-moly(?) barrel from Brownell.  It requires less changes to the stock, and shoots good.  I just prefer a stainless steel barrel better.  Shilen has one but Brownells doesn't carry it.