About a year ago I purchased a mini as an inexpensive shooter with resemblances to my garand or m1a. After attempting to work up some reloads, not surprisingly, my accuracy was unacceptable. I sent it ruger who replaced almost everything including the barrel. Though the photocopied target showed 3 shot groups of less than 1/2" at 50yds I have never been able to come close to that. The rifle was at best 3" 5 shot groups and 2 5 shot groups would never look the same. So a 10 shot group would probably be closer to 4-6". No pattern, no logic. Left,right, high, low. Just a mess. After all the reading I decided to try some tuning.
Everything I read was accustrut, thin barrel (heat) , trigger etc. I had the barrel shortened to try and take some whip out. Seem to help a bit but still nothing reliable. So I restocked it with a hogue overmold. Love the stock but no change. (Wasn't expecting it just wanted the composite stock). Still loving the rifle but disappointed, I sent it to greatwestgunsmithing (gun doc). He bedded it, gave it a trigger job, bushing and gas port adjustment. Btw he is out of business now. Shut down right after I got my rifle back. Go to the range- still lousy groups. Probably worse! Very frustrated and ready to throw the towel in.
Started to look at accuracy systems but hesitant to dump anymore money into. The other day I thought about my garands and how accurate they are. While thinking through what could be done it, it dawned on me. If I had (and I do) a garand that didn't shoot, I'd shim the trigger group. I do this with my oldest garand with a very old stock and it shoots great. Though I've never read anyone shimming the mini I thought I'd try it. Keep in mind I am using the hogue stock without the brass frame in the stock though I don't think it would materially matter.
I take some painter tape and wrap it around the feet of the trigger group. Though very difficult to lock the trigger group, it's seems effective. My first 3 shots are dead center less than an inch. It then throws one 2" high right. The 5th shot is back with the first 3. Second 5 shot group very similar results. Running out of time I quickly fire a 3rd group with mixed results but the group shows vertical dispersion of 2.5" and about an 1" of horizontal.
While not conclusive yet, I'm convinced I'm on the right path just may need some tweaking. I believe there are two issues. The last group was hurried and I think the barrel was heating up. The errand shots are high right. I believe the receiver is still moving in the stock. Either from it just settling into the stock or perhaps am imbalance in how the receiver is sitting.
I've seen threads about shimming garands but never minis. Maybe I missed them. Seems logical though. I do not leave my trigger groups locked when not in use. When I get time I will post note more results and pics. So far very encouraged. If I can eliminate or reduce the flyer in the group I'll be very pleased. Thought I'd pass it on and see if anyone else has tried this or had cause to try it.
Everything I read was accustrut, thin barrel (heat) , trigger etc. I had the barrel shortened to try and take some whip out. Seem to help a bit but still nothing reliable. So I restocked it with a hogue overmold. Love the stock but no change. (Wasn't expecting it just wanted the composite stock). Still loving the rifle but disappointed, I sent it to greatwestgunsmithing (gun doc). He bedded it, gave it a trigger job, bushing and gas port adjustment. Btw he is out of business now. Shut down right after I got my rifle back. Go to the range- still lousy groups. Probably worse! Very frustrated and ready to throw the towel in.
Started to look at accuracy systems but hesitant to dump anymore money into. The other day I thought about my garands and how accurate they are. While thinking through what could be done it, it dawned on me. If I had (and I do) a garand that didn't shoot, I'd shim the trigger group. I do this with my oldest garand with a very old stock and it shoots great. Though I've never read anyone shimming the mini I thought I'd try it. Keep in mind I am using the hogue stock without the brass frame in the stock though I don't think it would materially matter.
I take some painter tape and wrap it around the feet of the trigger group. Though very difficult to lock the trigger group, it's seems effective. My first 3 shots are dead center less than an inch. It then throws one 2" high right. The 5th shot is back with the first 3. Second 5 shot group very similar results. Running out of time I quickly fire a 3rd group with mixed results but the group shows vertical dispersion of 2.5" and about an 1" of horizontal.
While not conclusive yet, I'm convinced I'm on the right path just may need some tweaking. I believe there are two issues. The last group was hurried and I think the barrel was heating up. The errand shots are high right. I believe the receiver is still moving in the stock. Either from it just settling into the stock or perhaps am imbalance in how the receiver is sitting.
I've seen threads about shimming garands but never minis. Maybe I missed them. Seems logical though. I do not leave my trigger groups locked when not in use. When I get time I will post note more results and pics. So far very encouraged. If I can eliminate or reduce the flyer in the group I'll be very pleased. Thought I'd pass it on and see if anyone else has tried this or had cause to try it.
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