[Shooter 2.5]

Mini-14’s are the Glocks of the rifle world. They can fire every time under every condition. My problem is I have never known of one first hand that could hit anything.

I asked a new owner if his Mini was accurate and he replied he was able to hit what he was aiming at. I noticed his target was a tree stump at 30 yards away.

I don’t consider a rifle that can’t hit at 200 yards anyway as reliable. If you can’t hit, you’re wasting your time.

[Spktyr]

Um, no, they're not the Glocks of the rifle world. Glocks are at least reasonably accurate, and the Mini-14 prior to the 580=series revamp isn't.

This, on the other hand, is.

Not as accurate as the M-14/M1A or the AR, but demonstrably able to hit and take down a man at 600 meters. Can be made more accurate through application of modern tech and gear. Like Glocks, magazines are everywhere and cheap. And they still make them, some right here in the USA. .308/7.62 NATO, for those that don't know.

And I just bought one. :D

[Fee]

I classify the Mini-14 a carbine. It will hit a dog size target at 100 yards. Definitely not a sniper qualtiy carbine. Especially if you use high capacity mags. Barrel tends to heat up and flex.

[Spktyr]

Just FYI, here is a USA-made unit complete with all the modernizations - Picatinny rail on top, Magpul PRS stock, freefloat handguards over a 21" bull barrel, etc, etc. It's not mine, but it's an example of what you can get these days:

I'm going to model my 'new' FAL after that guy's FAL - most of those accessories are bolt on. :D

[Spktyr]

It would help if I could successfully add the picture. :P

[Deaf Smith]

After 24 years and only about 2k rounds, mine will now shoot MOA. Out of the box, it started out at 2" @100yrds. I knew right off to never heat it up and not to abuse the bore with excessive scrub'n. The break in period took about six years & 1k rounds. I now have confidence that it will always put a round behind the ear of a pig @200yrd if I use a good rest. Beyond that, the energy drops. As a result of the energy drop, we now have a three legged ‘yote running around the ranch that I knocked down @325 yrds but he didn't want to stay down.

I do note that my M1A tends to make them stay down.