Mini-14 vs. Mini 30

[jimmyraythomason]

timfromohio, whatever the reason,the Minis are not finicky eaters.

 

[Maverick223]

Do you guys find this to be the case?

Yep, steel case seems to suit them both just fine. Including Wolf and Barnaul (Brown/Silver/Golden Bear). Never tried Tiger, but I am sure it will do just as well.

 

[kiwihunta]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have a question that would pertain to either the 14 or 30. I've read that due the design of the action the Mini's are, IN GENERAL, less finicky with ammo. So one could practice with cheap Wolf ammo that is steel cased and be OK.

Do you guys find this to be the case?

Wolf used to go through my mini 14 ok but its really dirty, i also always sight my rifle in on the ammo i use to hunt with mainly Hornady and you will find you will have quite a different point of impact between the two,at 100 yds sometimes you could get up to 6" difference.....depends what you are going to use your mini for ,but if you are going to hunt with it ,it pays to leave your zero on your hunting ammo for obvious reasons...cheers hope that helps.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I wouldn't consider either one to be a good gun for distance.

They're great point-and-shoot carbines, hence the marketing of the "Ranch Rifle".

The rifle notwithstanding, the 7.62x39mm is not a flat-shooting round, and the .223 isn't a powerful one -- neither is good for distance, but for different reasons.

The newer mini 14s will shoot 3" groups at 100 yards. This is based on what I can do plus searching a bit to see what reviewers have done with the ones made in the last 5 years or so. Plenty accurate for hunting, home defense, social plinking. For something that is more accurate, I would just go for a bolt action. Yes, I know there are ARs that can shoot sub MOA. The level of accuracy required depends on the role of the rifle.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Does the mini do better with a heavier load? My cousin is shooting 50gr hp federals and can't get a group under 3-4 moa. I shoot 55gr fmj lake city and get 1.5 moa or better with my RRA. Now I know he can't expect ar accuracy, but I gotta think that with a different round he might get better groups. It is a new 581 model so its not the barrel. I feel bad he wanted a semi auto .223 for prairie dogs and didn't want to spend the money for an ar, so I pointed him towards a mini, now hes wishing he had gone another route.

I tried this experiment using 50, 55 multiple manufacturers, one somewhere in the 60s, one somewhere in the 70 grains. I shot 10 shot groups at 50 yards with a low end three power scope. For measurements, i took the best 8 out of 10 shots. The groups were roughly the same at about 1.5". With a good bolt action I can often get one ragged hole at this distance. My conclusion was there really wasn't a noticable difference. The one thing I did find very interesting was that there was quite a bit of difference in POA/POI even between the 55 grain bullets.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

My Mini-30 was blued. I too like the Mini-30 better than the Mini-14. As far as accuracy goes they weren't that bad. Mine would group 2"-3" at 80 yards with a hot barrel. Check here post #15 <http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6254584#post6254584>

I suppose you could Duracoat a stainless steel mini-30. Not quite bluing but might satisfy.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I suppose you could Duracoat a stainless steel mini-30.

Now there's a thought Sheepdog1968,thanks.

 

[Maverick223]

I suppose you could Duracoat a stainless steel mini-30.

You could probably use Birdsong Black-T coatings, but that would probably be cost prohibitive, especially with the additional cost of the SS.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Doing everything myself,it probably would cost that much. All of this Mini talk has made me want another one! Anyone have a good one to trade for a Bushmaster? Only in Alabama though,sorry.

 

[Ignition Override]

lloveless:

The recoil of my Mini 30 and N. SKS seem really mild compared to a buddy's AK 'clone'.