Basic gear needed for new rifle

A

AaronL

Joined
Jul 26, 2004
Messages
54
I'm soooooo excited. I'm picking up my new Ruger Mini 14 ranch (stainless with composite stock) next week and I can't wait to get out to the range and relearn my long lost shooting skills.

Other than the basic stuff I know I need, like ear and eye protection. What do you guys recommened for a basic range kit?

I also need advice on which cleaning kit you all recommend.

In general, whatever newbie advice you can give me is appreciated.

thanks
AL
 
Spare magazines.

It sounds like you have everything you need, I'd put any extra cash I had into practice ammo and a good urban rifle class, for which you'll need a sling.

Resist the temptation to hang too much stuff off the gun. The nut on the butt is the most important piece of kit you'll ever have.
 
AaronL, that's i nice gun. it's loud! i had a friend that had one and we shot that thing all the time. we could get a group pattern of about 6 in. at 200yds.(i was never that good a shot). that was as far as we could shoot, couldn't find anywhere with more distance.
you'll like it just fine. enjoy!

*the newest thing for cleaning the bore is that string thing with the brush attached to it. can't remember the name. it's a weighted string and you drop it in the bore and pull it through.

*you may want to look into a flash hider that attaches to the muzzle, it directs some of the muzzle energy upward and cancels some of the "kick-up" when fired.
 
Cleaning kit. Bore snake might be good, I don't know how well that rifle breaks down to let you use a rod.
I'm pretty sure mini 14's are supposed to eat anything. But to be on the safe side I'd stick with stuff like winchester white box, remington black hills, or UMC. They shouldn't be too dirty, and ought to be pretty accurate and reliable. Try some different brands and bullet weights. The gun will shoot one type better than another.
 
You'll probably want a low power scope for the Ranch model at some point. That is, afterall, the point of the Ranch Model. It is set-up for scoping. A good red-dot sight is another alternative.

I'd avoid the Russian (Wolf) ammo. Go for Winchester White Box, Remington UMC or Federal American Eagle. If you handload for it, make sure that you know what you are doing.

Ruger magazines are the best, but 20 and 30 rd. models are scarce and expensive. Aftermarket mags. can be good or bad in terms of reliability. At one time PMI supposedly made the best aftermarket mags.

The Mini-14 is a really fun, relatively reliable, low cost gun. Have fun and report back on how it does at the range.

Jeff
 
May want to also pick up a pair of affordable binoc's. Helps with the sighting in.

Also, those Shoot'n'see targets rock.

When I had my stainless Mini, I could clean it in the sink, dry it off, lube the necessary places, and be done.

You may find problems with aftermarket higher cap mags. If you are using for just bowlin groundhogs and other vermin, factory 5-rounders should be fine. Often you can find them for reasonable prices.

The design of the action does not lend itself to using a rod in the prefered breech-to-muzzle cleaning method. To that, the Bore Snake" might be a good choice, plus it can be readily carried in the field. Otis also makes a cable based kit that is pocketable.

You may want to watch the ammo you chose. There are 2 different loading specs, essentially commercial (.223 Remington) and mil-spec (5.56 mm). I believe the Mini is chambered for the commercial. Use of mil-spec may result in excessive chamber pressures, and the associated issues that result from that.

Normally rounds sold as "5.56 mm" will be mil-spec. Stick with the commercial .223 Remington rounds to avoid potential issues. (for more on that might wanna check ar15.com)

Scope mounting is easy. A 3-9 or 2.5-7 power should serve you well for most shooting.

I have a blue Ranch, 3-9x40 on it, and love it.
 
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