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medic68

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I'm looking to add something in 7.62 x 39 as a property "truck" rifle. I have narrowed the search down to either Ruger's Mini Thirty semi auto or the Ruger American bolt action. I am leaning towards the bolt action as my boys will be using it occasionally for vermin but the semi auto, if as accurate and well made as my Mini 14 would be my choice. I'd ask the forum for opinions on the two or viable options that don't put a 1K rile in a rack in a truck. Appreciate your time.
 
Don't have any hands-on experience with the Mini-30, but my father bought a Ruger American Ranch to use up the ammo he bought for his former AK. With Wolf mil-surp, the Ranch is amazingly accurate, especially considering the round's reputation. The bolt is gritty, but can be smoothed out with time or effort. But, that is the only complaint for the price point, and it is his second-favorite rifle (after a Henry .45-70).
 
I’ve read a lot of issues with the Mini 30 having issues shooting steel cases ammo, particularly light primer strikes, and to me being able to shoot steel cases ammo is one of the biggest advantages of going with 762x39. There also is the obvious price difference between the Mini and the American. The Mini is about double the price of the American and I don’t see double the value. You say you don’t have $1k to put in the rack of your truck, but you’re getting close to that with a Mini. Especially if you put an optic on it.

I think the American is the better choice of the two.
 
I think the 7.62X39 gets quite a bit of bad press, primarily because of the rifles that are chambered for the round. Most of the less expensive AK47s on the market have receivers that are so flimsy that those rifles are not gonna do anything but shoot groups that look like they were made by a shotgun and buckshot at extended ranges. I guess if you were shooting at people from moderate distances that format might make some sense for a number of tactical and political reasons. Can’t say for sure but I suspect that the 4 minute of angle (AK47) standard was what lead Ruger to come up with the initial Mini14 offering as a matter of price point and market share for that portion of the market that Ruger assumed was not all that interested in guilt-edged accuracy. Maybe it worked...who knows. Then there are those folks that have always expected more from Ruger based on their experiences with rifles like the M77. For those folks, a 4 minute of angle Mini14 was a non-starter. Ruger has more recently responded with newer Mini14s that are advertised as delivering better accuracy. Bottom line here is that if accuracy is important to you, and you go with the Mini14, make sure you get a newer one.

The idea of a moderate range “truck gun” was something I considered a year or so ago. Rifles shooting pistol calibers are short range propositions offering trajectories like baseballs. The issue for me with these rifles was those occasions when distances stretch out to 100 yards or maybe a tad further. Rifles chambered in a pistol caliber make the probability of success at those ranges less likely. For this reason I settled on the 7.62X39. That said I wanted a rifle that 1) Would not break the bank and 2) would deliver minute of angle accuracy. I settled on the Howa 1500 primarily due to their reputation for accuracy and cost...mid $400 range NIB. Roughly half the cost of a Mini 14. I’m sure the Ruger American rifle offers comparable value. However, Ruger’s “Adjustable trigger” isn’t all that adjustable. The Howa has a better adjustable trigger out of the box IMO. The other option is the CZ 527 carbine...hammer forged barrel and an outstanding set trigger. The only issue for me in this project was that the CZ was close to $200 more than the Howa, so I went with the Howa. Not sorry I did. With the right load (Sierra 125 grain .311” bullet, Winchester brass and 25 grains of H4198) she will lay down sub MOA groups all day long at 100 yards. My scope has a graduated elevation reticle. The first ring puts the rifle dead on at 200 yards and half way between the third and fourth rings puts it on target at 300 yards. Although the practical value of a 125 grain bullet doing an average of 2268 fps at the muzzle at 300 yards is pretty questionable. Wouldn’t bother me to line up on a coyote at that range with that round.

These are just my experiences and observations. The little 7.62X39 is an excellent round within its range of limitations. If you reload, stick with the .311” bullets. The .308” bullets I’ve shot are lacking in the accuracy department. I’m happy with my truck gun. At reasonable distances it shoots quite a bit flatter than any of the pistol caliber rifles and packs a good punch to boot! Oh...steel cased ammo? I think the Russians are still pissed off with us and selling us steel cased ammo is one way they are getting even. It will generally go bang when you pull the trigger. I have no use for the stuff.
 
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I think the 7.62X39 gets quite a bit of bad press, primarily because of the rifles that are chambered for the round. Most of the less expensive AK47s on the market have receivers that are so flimsy that those rifles are not gonna do anything but shoot groups that look like they were made by a shotgun and buckshot at extended ranges. I guess if you were shooting at people from moderate distances that format might make some sense for a number of tactical and political reasons. Can’t say for sure but I suspect that the 4 minute of angle (AK47) standard was what lead Ruger to come up with the initial Mini14 offering as a matter of price point and market share for that portion of the market that Ruger assumed was not all that interested in guilt-edged accuracy. Maybe it worked...who knows. Then there are those folks that have always expected more from Ruger based on their experiences with rifles like the M77. For those folks, a 4 minute of angle Mini14 was a non-starter. Ruger has more recently responded with newer Mini14s that are advertised as delivering better accuracy. Bottom line here is that if accuracy is important to you, and you go with the Mini14, make sure you get a newer one.

The idea of a moderate range “truck gun” was something I considered a year or so ago. Rifles shooting pistol calibers are short range propositions offering trajectories like baseballs. The issue for me with these rifles was those occasions when distances stretch out to 100 yards or maybe a tad further. Rifles chambered in a pistol caliber make the probability of success at those ranges less likely. For this reason I settled on the 7.62X39. That said I wanted a rifle that 1) Would not break the bank and 2) would deliver minute of angle accuracy. I settled on the Howa 1500 primarily due to their reputation for accuracy and cost...mid $400 range NIB. Roughly half the cost of a Mini 14. I’m sure the Ruger American rifle offers comparable value. However, Ruger’s “Adjustable trigger” isn’t all that adjustable. The Howa has a better adjustable trigger out of the box IMO. The other option is the CZ 527 carbine...hammer forged barrel and an outstanding set trigger. The only issue for me in this project was that the CZ was close to $200 more than the Howa, so I went with the Howa. Not sorry I did. With the right load (Sierra 125 grain .311” bullet, Winchester brass and 25 grains of H4198) she will lay down sub MOA groups all day long at 100 yards. My scope has a graduated elevation reticle. The first ring puts the rifle dead on at 200 yards and half way between the third and fourth rings puts it on target at 300 yards. Although the practical value of a 125 grain bullet doing an average of 2268 fps at the muzzle at 300 yards is pretty questionable. Wouldn’t bother me to line up on a coyote at that range with that round.

These are just my experiences and observations. The little 7.62X39 is an excellent round within its range of limitations. If you reload, stick with the .311” bullets. The .308” bullets I’ve shot are lacking in the accuracy department. I’m happy with my truck gun. At reasonable distances it shoots quite a bit flatter than any of the pistol caliber rifles and packs a good punch to boot! Oh...steel cased ammo? I think the Russians are still pissed off with us and selling us steel cased ammo is one way they are getting even. It’s will generally go bang when you pull the trigger. I have no use for the stuff.
Great suggestion on the Howa 1500. I neglected to mention that I am fortunate to buy at cost through a number of companies so the mini thirty wouldn't be purchased at MSRP. Thanks for taking the time to respond!
 
I have a Ruger Mini 30. Yes I had issues shooting certain steel cased ammo. Its really a simple fix in getting a longer firing pin if you Mini has this problem. Not all do. I sent mine out because I wasn't comfortable fitting one myself so I sent it off to ASI. Problem solved for a fee of course. The problem is some steel cased ammo has a more recessed primer than commercial ammo. Some Mini 30 firing pins are slightly longer than others. Mine was on the short side giving me a bang, bang, click, and then bang again.

I also have a Bolt Rifle in the same caliber. Went with CZ. It was before Ruger had their excellent model. I never shoot steel out of it. Mostly handloads or commercial ammo.
 
I added a Wolff extra power hammer spring and my older model Mini 30 is golden with Tula, Brown Bear, Golden Tiger, Wolf etc. using Ruger brand 20 round mags.

<sigh> sometimes I really long for the simpler times...When I was a kid a truck gun was a Win 1894 /Marlin 336 in the rear window gun rack of the trusty old Chevy or Ford Fleetside... you could always tell when another rancher went to town by their caliche-dust streaked truck and the lever gun riding in the window. Now it’s more likely to be a hidden away (from thieves) semi auto under the rear seat of a quad cab diesel Super Duty/Silverado/Ram. :(

The Mini 30 will work very well for your needs. I have an issued Mini 14 racked in the rear of my unmarked Dodge Durango and I feel plenty well equipped with it.

Stay safe.
 
Just to throw it out there, an AR15 in 7.62x39 is also a very viable option if you want an accurate and reliable semi auto 7.62x39.
I’ve got 3 AR platform rifles in 7.62x39. Two are scoped, and both will shoot sub moa with handloads, and 1.25” with Wolf sp. The other wears a carry handle/front post, and it’s accurate enough at iron sight ranges.

Also owned a 186 series Mini 30 Ranch a few years ago, and it was easily the most inaccurate I’ve ever owned. Sent it back to Ruger, and they sent it back saying it was ok. Got rid of it with full disclosure.

My cousin has a 16” Ruger bolt rifle in 7.62x39, and it’s extremely accurate even with steel case ammo. He uses a 2-7 Burris Fullfield II scope on it.
 
Go for the bolt. You won't regret it. I have a Mini-30 and the accuracy difference is night and day.

BTW, I love my Howa Mini 7.62x39. One of my favorite rifles of all time.
 
Forever, I looked for a used CZ and they were all too much money. I was ready to build a Howa when the Ruger Ranch came out. I got one, bought some extra mags (takes Ruger Mini-30 mags, which is cool), put a old sling and a 4x scope on it. It shot S&B ammo so well I put a better scope on it recently. I ordered some dies and components for hand loads and we will see what it can do. I was told by Ruger the bore is .308, not .311, so bullet selection is good but not great in 125gr - 150gr range. My plan is 200yd zero which puts me ~14" low at 300 yds, 42" low at 400. WhooHoo!
 
Forever, I looked for a used CZ and they were all too much money. I was ready to build a Howa when the Ruger Ranch came out. I got one, bought some extra mags (takes Ruger Mini-30 mags, which is cool), put a old sling and a 4x scope on it. It shot S&B ammo so well I put a better scope on it recently. I ordered some dies and components for hand loads and we will see what it can do. I was told by Ruger the bore is .308, not .311, so bullet selection is good but not great in 125gr - 150gr range. My plan is 200yd zero which puts me ~14" low at 300 yds, 42" low at 400. WhooHoo!
CFE BLK and 123 SST's will rock out of that rifle.
 
I had a mini 30, and I was very unimpressed with the accuracy for the price of the gun- and I tried a variety of US made ammunition. I have 2 RAR's- 1 in 300 BLK and 1 in 6.5 CM, and I am very happy with both. My RAR ranch in 300 BLK would make a nice candidate for a truck gun- it only has a 16" barrel.
 
At $1300 on gun broker, I'd have to buy my wife something special....:rofl:

All those Zytel Boat Paddle Skeleton stock guns get crazy money now it seems. Back when I was shooting one, you could still buy it new for $399. I think that was somewhere around 2004.
 
I also think you should go with a bolt action. With a semiauto, you'll need to oil and care for it, and it will get dusty from just being in the back. The Howa is a good rifle, as is the CZ. The Ruger Ranch would be what I would go for if I knew I wanted to red dot or scope it. The mags for the CZ are 40+ each. The CZ has an excellent trigger and is a great lightweight rifle. A scout rifle scope mount is in the works for the CZ, but has been in the works for a while now. These are just things to think about as you consider your wants/needs.
 
Just my 2 cents...I tried the CZ 527 twice and just could not end up liking it. I loved the sights, but hated how high a scope has to be mounted to clear the bolt handle. I hated the backwards safety and tried to convince myself it was just like the hammer on a lever action, but I guess I am a bad liar because I could never win myself over. I loved the magazine, but hated the price of extras and on and on. I only got so/so accuracy with steel cased ammo so I moved on. That left me with a couple of cases of ammo and no rifle until the Ruger came along.

Let me start by saying that I am not comparing the quality of Ruger to CZ. I get that the CZ are a much more refined rifle. However I liked the fact that the Ruger uses Ruger Mini30 mags (I pretty much stick to the 10 rounders), I love the safety, trigger is great, I like the action, barrel length, and especially the accuracy. Mine is stupid accurate with Golden Tiger ammo, way more than adequate for general truck gun needs. I want to reload, but at this point have a ton of cheap ammo that shoot great! The rifle shoots so well my son took it from me and I bought another. Now we have two and they both are phenomenal for the price. I have posted about them here. If Ruger were to ever make a version with iron sights, I would probably have three of them in the safe.

I like Mini's and AR's but could not be happier with the Ruger Ranch. Good luck and let us know what you choose.
 
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