Rifle/pistol shooters

[Deneb]

I carry a pistol for defense, but haven't gotten very proficient with it, much outside of 10-15 yards. Recently I inherited a few rifles (an ak47 (mak 90) and a ruger mini 14). I told my grandmother to sell the ak towards the burial, and opted to keep the mini 14, because it reminded me of WWII for some reason. Doing some research I find that this weapon is built off of the M14 which was off of the M1...which may be why I like it.

Well anyway, I went to the store and bought some rounds for it. I asked the store shop, "what range should I shoot this". he said hell, 500-600 yards if I wanted, maybe further.

I figured starting out, 100 yards would be good. I had never shot a rifle before, to actually hit anything. Just goofed off years ago. I went through 30 shots, at 100 yards, and I only put 3 on paper.

Are there some web resources or maybe books that you experienced shooters have used/read that could help me out?

[rjohnstone]

Get a good instructor who can help you sight in the rifle properly and teach you proper position. Books will never replace the hands on training that an experienced instructor can provide.

After that it's all practice... practice... practice.

Also, start out at 20 or 25 yards and work your way out.
At 100 yards, you need to take into account things like the wind and your ability to hold the rifle steady.

I have over simplified the process of learning to shoot, but you get the idea.

[levantin]

Couldn't find a solid reference for the mini 14. What kind of sight does is have? V or circular? Or something completely different? The wikipedia pic seems to show a circular sight with 5.56 cartridge. Does yours have the scope? I think that shooting further than 250 yards without a scope wouldn't be much fun!

I got into rifle shooting while in the army. We were trained to use a H&K G3A3, MP5 and AK-47. I always preferred the G3, really solid and dependable rifle. You did good getting rid of the AK-47. I never liked the feel, or the sight.

Unfortunately I have no other resources to recommend, as I have nothing outside of my military training, but I will tell you this (as you already know probably); never load the gun outside of a shooting range, always be sure that the magazine is empty, never leave the safety catch off, and never ever point the gun at another human being.

Stay safe and have fun!

[442w30]

Zero it (Sight it) dead on at 25 yards. You will be good to go out to 300yards with 55-62gr .223 in the Mini14.

Second good instruction.

Look for a book by "David Tubb" about shooting called "The Rifle Shooter"

A new book by 11-time National High Power Rifle Champion, David Tubb. This is not just a revision of his landmark "Highpower Rifle" but an all-new, greatly expanded work that reveals David's thoughts and recommendations on all aspects of precision rifle shooting. Each shooting position and event is dissected and taken to extreme detail, as are the topics of ammunition, training, rifle design, event strategies, and wind shooting.

[FusionFarmer]

I have had a couple mini's my current one I bought in 88, its a stainless ranch version meaning it has scope mounts. stay away from the heavier bullets, 60g or bigger, 52-55g work the best generally with the twist on a mini. try sighting in at 50 yards, basically the bullet will pass thru the same line in its arc at 50 and 100, with a little variation, this should get you close, I load all my ammo and can hit golf balls at 100 yards pretty consistantly, don't go bigger than 20 round magazines, and practice,,

[Trypp Powell]

Make sure you get the right ammo for the Mini-14. Years ago I owned one and it was .223, but a clerk at a gun store swore that 5.56 was interchangeable. Luckily, I read up on this before trying 5.56 ammo through it. Apparently, 5.56 and .223 are very close, but do to a difference in the casing it is supposed to be dangerous to use the two calibers interchangeably.

[Deneb]

Yeah, i picked up .223 for it. It even says it on the weapon, so the guy telling you that is out of him mind.

[rjohnstone]

You can fire .223 ammo from a rifle that was designed to handle 5.56 mm, just don't try it the other way around.
The mini 14 can handle both types of rounds even if it's stamped ".223".
The barrel is heavy enough to handle the higher pressure of the 5.56mm round.

[SARJ]

I know geetars, but I've kown firearms way before;

YES! As posted above..........never use 5.56mm in a rifle designated for .223 Remington! The pressures are higher and could result in injury to the shooter or death! Don't interchange!

Here are my reasons for even replying here;ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp pppppppppppppppppppppppppp


1. I am a certified police firearms instructor.

2. I specialized in the AR/M 16 weapons system.

3. I am now the owner of 3 AR 15 varient weapons. (see www.bushmaster.com) for info regarding 5.56mm vs. .223 Remington specs, etc.

Now, to zero a Ruger Mini-14 rifle;


25 yards is the respected range for AR style weapons. No offense to those whom have posted before. Try 25 feet. Sounds stupid, but with the Mini 14 it is not. I also own a mid 80's model and that is what it took to get mine to zero. Take into account that front site cant to the left or right will effect zero.

Brief history; The Mini 14 was developed when the government was looking to replace the M-14 due to the fact that the AK-47 or AKM (2nd generation, stamed steel receiver, 7.62X39mm) was gaining a killer rep in Indo China. They wanted a sub-machine gun style weapon in a sub rifle caliber load. There was a certain branch of the armed forces interested in the Ruger Mini-14 as it passed several trials, but Eugene Stoners's AR rifle was, at the same time at a point where the top dogs found it cost effictive and wanted to save bucks. Ruger lost and ES won.

Now; the .223 Rem was a trial and error result to say the least, it went on to perform very well. The "Yaw" rate is at 12" meaning that 12 inches into human flesh it turns downwards or upwards after penetrating 12 inches of muscle. The kill rate was equal to or larger than .30 caliber weapons, but meant that instead of nobody tending to the dead soldier or 2 solidiers had to tend to the wounded. This equates to 3 soldiers down to 1 soldier down.

The Mini 14 is used by several lawenforcement agencies including NYPD SWAT and CDOC. Damn good weapon.

Bottom line...........try 25 feet and see where it goes. Don't be freaked out if your rear site windage goes far right or left. AR's do it too.

Hope this all helps.

[Deneb]

thanks for the reply! Don't worry, I wouldn't interchange any round in a weapon. Like I said above, I shoot a pistol with enough skill to defend myself, but the rifle, it was just terrible. That all said, I've got no problem admitting when I don't know something. There's a guy at work who is going to the range with me on Wednesday to zero this guy in, and he said it exactly as you have.

Thank you for all of the replies. I find myself always asking non-guitar questions here, and then having to explain to myself, that even though a vast majority of the people here are guitar players, that they also have other interests.