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Bushy Varminter or Mini 14?

tawd77tawd77 Member Posts: 49 ✭✭
edited January 2007 in Ask the Experts
Well, im looking at getting a varmint shooter. I am not sure if i want a Bushmaster Varminter, or the Ruger Mini 14. Can you guys help me out?

Which gun is better in...
1. Reliability?
2. Accuracy?
3. Which would hold its value better?
4. Any other pros/cons of either gun?

Is the bushmaster worth the extra money?

Thanks for the help guys!!
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Comments

  • Wehrmacht_45Wehrmacht_45 Member Posts: 3,377
    edited November -1
    Ruger will be a reliable gun if you use high quality mags, however it will not hold its own to an AR platform for accuracy. I always thought the Ruger to be a good mid priced plinker, but even the new accurized ones are less accurate and often more expensive than a more accurate AR.

    go with Bushmaster or DPMS over the ruger.
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  • jbw1776jbw1776 Member Posts: 3,056
    edited November -1
    Bushmaster, no comparision.

    Ben
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  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    Bushmaster all the way hands down on contest. I have had mine for about 5 yrs now and I must say it was one of the best buys I have ever made. What you get for the price you pay it can not be beat. You will read all kinds of stuff about how accurate and it is all of that and then some. I see lots of use AR's for sale, but very seldom see a used Varminter for sale, yeah I know there are a lot more Non Varminter guns out there but still.

    There are 4 main things I would be sure to get along with the gun.
    1. Good scope. A target rifle is only as good as the optics you put on it.
    2. A good bipod, there are many out there but I like the Harris or Versa-pods.
    3. A Redi-Mag. Makes carrying a spare mag easy and quick to change. I added one this year and love it.
    4. 20rd mags for use with the bipod, 30rd mags hang down too far. I perfer the early style 20rd mags and they can still be had at a good price if you just keep you eye out and be patient.

    This pic was taking before I added the Redi-Mag. I really like the looks and feel of the Ace stock.
    167eead8.jpg
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  • tawd77tawd77 Member Posts: 49 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you all for the great information. Sounds like the Bushmaster is the way to go. Any recommendations on a scope to compliment this Varminter? I was thinking of a Nikon Monarch 6.5-20x44...

    Also, what is the going rate for a new Varminter at a gun shop? There are several on gunbroker for around 1k bucks, but nobody ever bids on them. So im guessing thats a little high for one?

    Nwcid, Your Varminter looks NICE. Where did you get that stock at?

    Thanks again for everyones help!
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  • BHAVINBHAVIN Member Posts: 3,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    No comparison. The AR15 is much more accurate and has so many upgrades available it boggles the mind. I personally prefer DPMS rifles over Bushmaster but an AR is the way to go. I have a 24" DPMS varmint gun that I built and it shoots 1/2" groups all day long. Years ago I had a Mini-14 SS Ranch with a Leupold 3x9 scope. My dad showed up with a Colt 20" match target with open sights that he bought just because of the great deal he got. At 300 yards we could not hit 1/2gal milk jugs with the Mini and could hit it with the AR open sights almost every shot. I sold my Mini and have never looked back.
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  • MossbergboogieMossbergboogie Member Posts: 12,211
    edited November -1
    Tell me what happens when you put steel in an AR. Not that some of you have done so without incident but many people have noticed a problem with steel ammo such as wolf. The Ruger can shoot that all day AR 15 quesionable, But still more accurate.
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  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    bushmaster varminter is likely a .5 MOA rifle, while the mini is lucky to be a 2-3 MOA rifle.
    I have but lots or rounds thru bushys, minimal problems.
    Yes, they shoot wolf fine
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  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    I paid $999.99 for mine [:D] but that was 5 years ago. I saw ones in a couple of out of town gun shops that I didnt care for, but they had one, for just under $1,100. Went to the local gun shop at home and told him I was going to buy one and asked what he could get me one for. I had told him (nicly) that I had seen one the other one and that I would just go pick it up instead of hasseling with ordering one for the same price. I have bought many guns there and he came through for me. If you have a local dealer you use quite a bit just ask him what he can get one for, I have always found that the best way. I have not looked but I am sure you should still be able to get one for around $1000-1100.

    The stock is a Ace brand replacement. They are about $90 and can be found from just about any company that sells AR stuff. I am sure there are several for sale right here on GB.

    chrishiher I have shot tons of Wolf through my OTHER AR's with only a ONE problem that I could not say was the ammo for sure. As for the Varminiter all I shoot are my handloads. Others may disagree but if you are buing a Varminiter for the Accuracy why would you put Wolf through the gun? Wolf is not that bad but there is WAY better ammo out there for what the Varminiter was designed for.
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  • tawd77tawd77 Member Posts: 49 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well i just called the closest Gander Mountain to see if they had a Varminter in stock, and they just sold it. They said that it sells for $1100 - So i guess I will have to have one ordered. I would like to see one in person before i buy it, but nobody keeps them in stock.

    Also, what do you guys think of the Nikon Monarch scope? Any other suggestions for a decent scope in the $400 ballpark? Thanks
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  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is a clear case of "just how far would youlike to hit your target?"

    I have been an advocate of the mini-14 in that it serves a purpose. It clearly doesn't have the accuracy potential of the bushmaster varminter.

    The bushmaster will hold value better and both are about as reliable as far as what you are going to shoot them. If you are going to put a couple thousand rounds downrange I would then give the edge to the mini-14. Cleaning either one can be a chore if a lot of rounds are fired. Or not bad if not too many.
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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by chrishiher
    Tell me what happens when you put steel in an AR. Not that some of you have done so without incident but many people have noticed a problem with steel ammo such as wolf. The Ruger can shoot that all day AR 15 quesionable, But still more accurate.




    My non-chrome lined Rock River LAR-15 made it through 3500rds of steel cased wolf ammmo with no cleaning before it had it's 1st FTE.
    A good deep cleaning and it was good to go.
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