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3/19/2008 9:23:41 PM EDT
So I just got a 181 series Mini 14 the other day, beautiful rifle, awesome condition with a 20 round LE marked Ruger magazine. I took it to the range for the first time tonight and with 4 different bullet weight rounds i was getting spin outs in all the different brands/weights at 25 yards or less. The other major issue I am having is the brass itself is coming out only far enough to jam the neck of the casing into the top of the chamber, basically holding the bolt back so that I have to manually clear and load the next round. Keeping in mind this is consistent with 4 different ammunitions I am using. Who here knows what the heck to look for or knows what's going on? My last question is, is there any aftermarket rear sights to replace the factory rear peep sight?

Josh
3/19/2008 10:52:54 PM EDT
[#1]
Did you remove the stock and check the cleanliness of the gas system? That could be dirty.

The chamber could also be dirty or have caked on deposits in it.

Does the gun eject empty casings if manually cycled?

Does the extractor hold the rim of the casing well?

3/20/2008 2:11:06 AM EDT
[#2]
Are you saying it was keyholing?  Is that what you meant by "spin outs" at 25 yards with 4 different bullet weights?  That might be a serious problem with the barrel.

Does anyone know the twist rate of a mini 14?  and what the best ammo would be?
3/20/2008 6:40:15 AM EDT
[#3]
I think the old ones, which 181 would be, were a 1/12 or 1/14.  The newer ones are all 1/9 as far as I know.  If he's chucking heavy metal that might explain it.
3/20/2008 6:40:47 AM EDT
[#4]
older minis were 1 in 7 IIRC newer ones are 1 in 9.  I think the 181 could be either buy I am not sure.  Check perfectunion.com, that is the best place for mini info IMO.  Typically with a mini, your brass is going to be bouncing off the head of the guy 5-6 stations down from you on the firing line.  So something is a miss.  I would check that everything is cleaned, then I would check to see if the barrel is totally shot out (set a loaded round in the business end of the barrel and see how much of the projectile disappears), then take a look at the gas block.  Could be that something happened to it.  Also make sure that everything is moving smoothly and what not.  If all else fails send it to gundoc on perfect union.  He has done a lot of my gunsmithing, and is not too far from me.  He does excellent work, is quick about it and knows the mini inside and out (that 90% of what he does).  Heck, send it to him, have him figure it out and do a trigger job for you at the same time.  As for the rear sights, there are a few.  Google it, or search Perfectunion.com, you will find what you need.  I had a Ranch so the sights are totally different.  
3/20/2008 6:56:53 AM EDT
[#5]
I would almost gurantee a gas system problem. check to see that no parts are loose, missing etc. If not cycle the rifle by hand and see how it ejects. You may have a ejector problem.
3/20/2008 11:39:08 AM EDT
[#6]
The slowest twist Ruger ever used on the Mini-14 was one in ten.

Dennis Jenkins



Quoted:
I think the old ones, which 181 would be, were a 1/12 or 1/14.  The newer ones are all 1/9 as far as I know.  If he's chucking heavy metal that might explain it.
3/20/2008 6:10:36 PM EDT
[#7]
For Mini-14 help, go over to Perfect Union. Those guys love the Mini.

Accountant
3/20/2008 6:45:14 PM EDT
[#8]
I'd call ruger and tell them to fix it. Ive never heard anything but good about rugers customer service.
3/21/2008 7:00:24 AM EDT
[#9]
S.W.A.G.- way over torqued gas block screws?

Karl
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