Henry Rifle Forums

Anyone here know anything about them ? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Just wondered if it might be a fun little varmit gun..

Forty will chime in Im sure. Accuracy has always been something that alot of people criticize this gun for. Just depends on how picky you are. Ive owned 2 of the newer models with black synthetic stocks. One in 300BO and one in 762x39. There ok but I would not buy another one.

They have a reputation for being inaccurate but there’s more to the story than that. Originally the Mini 14 had a very thin pencil barrel which when heated up would cause shot stringing thus leading to it’s accuracy problems. Some years ago Ruger changed the barrel to a slightly heavier barrel which helps with that problem. I believe (fact check needed here) that the barrel change started with the 580 prefix serial numbers. Easiest way to tell if a rifle has the heavier barrel is it will have a slight taper right where it emerges from the stock. People will also add an aftermarket accessory called an Accu-Strut. This attaches to the barrel and helps stabilize the harmonics.

Keeping within it’s limits it can be a varmint gun. Maybe within 200 yards or so. I’ve been doing a little bit of accuracy work with mine using 77 gr and 69 gr bullets and have had some acceptable results. My Mini has a 1-9 twist but shoots the 77gr Sierra Matchking bullet fine. This bullet is recommended for 1-8 twist and faster. I’ll come back and post a couple of links to some range reports I have done in the past.


http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=10777


http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=10271

I've had one for about seven years now and seems to be accurate for what I do around the range. Haven't had any issues with it so far.
Here is a short video of it along with my M1 Carbine. https://youtu.be/r_Mqm6EH9Qs

I had one till about ten years ago and loved it. It was accurate out to 200 yards for me and I never understood the stringing problem.

Mine would have been made around 2001.

Thanks for the input guys!!! That's helpful.