I dont know how you would get that tight of groups when mine will shoot 6-8 inch groups with a 3-10x44mm scope on it. I cant even hit a crow at 75 yrds but i use wolf to so.....but you can buy barrels that are that are 600 or 1000 dollars that shoot 1" groups to 1/1/2" groups at 100yrds so i dont see how a stock barrel could shoot better than aftermarket performace barrel if you say all the holes are touching.....

 

After all the years I have spent shooting this and that, I OFTEN find that the expensive custom jobs are only as good or slightly better than the original parts, and occasionaly not as good. There is just too much to be worked into the scenario, like the shooter, the gun and its condition, ammunition, and even the invisible factors like the weather. My father had numerous guns that he could hit anything with and at any time. Even though he would tell me how he did it with each particular gun, I could not always get the shots half as well as his. I suppose it is the same with any two shooters and whichever gun is in question. The most important thing I can say is to Know Your Gun! Shoot it until you know it like the back of your hand. As for ammo, I have heard even from dealers that most steel cased ammo is not that reliable with a Mini. I personally use Sellier & Bellot for the Mini and have great results. Good, inexpensive, brass cased and boxer primed. Its the ammo of choice for a lot of overseas competition shooters.

 

Keep in mind the guy who has the 3 shot groups with the holes touching is a GOOD shot, and has tried about 50 different combinations of handload components.
His gun DOES shoot about 2" groups with about any off the shelf stuff, though.

Farmr

 

I have both a Mini 14 and a Mini 30 in 223 and 7.62x39 respectively. For what they were designed to do, they are excellent performers. They are not tack drivers but they are exceptionally reliable and I can get 6" groups out to 300 yards with mine - and that's plenty accurate for most business. The barrels are light and heat up FAST - as they heat up acuracy falls off proportionately.

If you want to shoot multi-shot strings, play "how fast can I empty this magazine", or pretend you're fighting off hoards of screaming al quaida then get another tool. My rifles work beautifully for ATV, Jeep, or truck carry over on my ranch in the Nevada desert.

(FWIW: another "carry favorite" is my 44 mag Marlin Cowboy paired with a 44 mag revolver)

 

Right on OL!

I maybe didn't mention the grouping. Three shots in fairly quick succession is about all you get really tight. After that, the barrel gets hot enough, you start stringing shots all over the place.

If I shoot one shot, wait 5 min, shoot again, wait 5 min, then shoot again, I get 3 shot groups under 2". If I shoot 3 pop,pop,pop, as soon as I get the crosshairs steady, I get groups about the size of a chew can. Ususally, this holds steady for about 5 shots, then steadily opens up.

I also have a Marlin 1894 in .44. I fitted mine with a Williams apeture sight & love it. Very quick sight picture, and surprisingly accurate. Perfect companion to the ol' Super Redhawk.

Farmr