Mini-14 vs. Mini 30
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jimmyraythomason
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Not exactly $600 but certainly not $1500 either.
tango2echo
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What? A 6.75lb rifle is heavy? 8ftlbs of recoil (about the same as a .243) is "obnoxious"? The magazines are hard to change when they drop free by pushing an 1.5" lever? You're full of it.The Mini-30 makes a great deer rifle out to about 150 yards with factory ammo, like the 123gr Federal loading. You can push that to 200 with handloads. My Mini-30 is sighted in at 100 and is 3.7" low at 200 yards. Very similar to a .30-30 with similar weight bullets.
t2e
MachIVshooter
Member
I would take my chopped mini over my Polish sidefolder 5.45 any day. And I sold my other AK's. Much better ergo's, and the aftermarket support for mini's is fine.
BTW about 5.56...
I personally would take what the owner's manual says, over what some guy at a gun shop says, unless he's the gunsmith and gives you reason to believe what he tells you.
If you don't have your Ruger owner's manual, don't worry, it's also written out, in full, on the barrel.
Or you can go to their website and get a PDF...
I personally would take what the owner's manual says, over what some guy at a gun shop says, unless he's the gunsmith and gives you reason to believe what he tells you.
If you don't have your Ruger owner's manual, don't worry, it's also written out, in full, on the barrel.
Or you can go to their website and get a PDF...
I agree with ArmedBear.
"Guys in Gunshops" are some of the worst ... really the least reliable people I can think of.
I mean seriously. They are trying to prove something, while acting macho about stuff they know nothing about.
Does it get any less reliable than that?
I think I would trust my 9 year old cousin more.
"Guys in Gunshops" are some of the worst ... really the least reliable people I can think of.
I mean seriously. They are trying to prove something, while acting macho about stuff they know nothing about.
Does it get any less reliable than that?
I think I would trust my 9 year old cousin more.
.223 is FAR better at distance than the 7.62x39. The short 7.62 bullet is not the picture of ballistic efficiency.
I have no Mini-30, but have faith in John Farnam's assessment of Mini-14s and Mini-30s in his carbine classes. The Mini-30 is far more likely to be problematic than the Mini-14. I do own a couple of Mini-14s.
The Mini chambered for 6.8 SPC has my attention; I am waiting for some long-term reviews.
I have no Mini-30, but have faith in John Farnam's assessment of Mini-14s and Mini-30s in his carbine classes. The Mini-30 is far more likely to be problematic than the Mini-14. I do own a couple of Mini-14s.
The Mini chambered for 6.8 SPC has my attention; I am waiting for some long-term reviews.
jimmyraythomason
Member
In what way?
Maverick223
Member
No kidding...I think the barrels have warnings, cautioning you about the warnings.
They are harder to find, and are only available in SS (new anyway). I like the Mini-30 better than the Mini-14, especially if close range deer is on the menu. The Mini-30 is a great rifle and an outstanding alternative to the AK/SKS IMO, I would take one over either (or both). It also makes a good, cheap plinker. Accuracy isn't great, but grossly exaggerated, and better than the best of AKs in my experience.
jimmyraythomason
Member
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>
Maverick223
Member
Unfortunately they don't make that model anymore, SS only. Stupid decision IMO.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I'm hoping to recover mine but if not I want to find another in blue. I'm not really interested in a stainless model(but would take one).
Maverick223
Member
Same here, I generally like blue better, but even more so on a rifle that is poorly finished like the Mini.
W.E.G.
Member
My nephew owned a Mini-30.
He and I took it to the range a number of times.
We equipped it with a scope, as it was to be used as a hunting rifle.
Even when we could get the proprietary-design scope mount to stay secure (which was not often), group sizes were disappointing.
Because of the lack of "evil features" like "the thing that goes up," the "Mini" still has a niche in states that have state-law "Assault Weapon Bans." Otherwise, it is simply a design that fell short of its objective, and is further overshadowed by firearms developments of the last 20 years.
He and I took it to the range a number of times.
We equipped it with a scope, as it was to be used as a hunting rifle.
Even when we could get the proprietary-design scope mount to stay secure (which was not often), group sizes were disappointing.
Because of the lack of "evil features" like "the thing that goes up," the "Mini" still has a niche in states that have state-law "Assault Weapon Bans." Otherwise, it is simply a design that fell short of its objective, and is further overshadowed by firearms developments of the last 20 years.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Actually it accomplished it's objective quite well. That is,be a light fast handling carbine in a military caliber with battlefield accuracy. Where it failed is in not becoming what people tried to turn it into. It is not a precision rifle but people WANTED it to be so when it wasn't people stuck it with the "INACCURATE" label. It is still a great rifle for what it was intended. It comes in calibers that wont break the bank and is a hoot to shoot. It is awesomely RELIABLE as well.
THE MACHINIST
Member
ive harvested a 200 lb muledeer with the mini 30 with russian ammo at about 50 yds. it took 2 shots but they hit in the same place rapid fire. just the same as a 30-30.
I have mixed feelings about the mini line. Between the two specifically I think it really comes down to what you are shooting at. Certainly if deer are on the target list, the 30 is a better option at any distance. Being in a state that does not allow centerfire rifle deer hunting, I have a bit of hesitation to pick up a 30, just because I honestly don't have a use for it that my AK and SKS don't already fill well. Not that anything is wrong with the 30, just that for my potential uses the SKS and AK both do the same things as well for a bit less money.
The mini-14 is a rifle I am torn with. I feel it has its place, just that it currently is overpriced. I would love to trade my AK for a newer mini 14. For me at least, I could take the rifle hunting. It would make a fine groundhog gun. The minis have seemed to have decent cold bore accuracy, just plagued by stringing when heat was introduced. For a hunting rifle outside of a prairie dog rifle this means little. While it could be argued an AR could hunt as well as a mini 14 something about the mini makes it feel a bit more appropriate in the field hunting small game.
They aren't the best blaster in the world. They won't win many/any accuracy contests, and they don't have a huge aftermarket like others chambered in .223/5.56. Still They do have a place and if anyone is interested in trading for a WASR10 I would be glad to add a mini14 to my stable.
The mini-14 is a rifle I am torn with. I feel it has its place, just that it currently is overpriced. I would love to trade my AK for a newer mini 14. For me at least, I could take the rifle hunting. It would make a fine groundhog gun. The minis have seemed to have decent cold bore accuracy, just plagued by stringing when heat was introduced. For a hunting rifle outside of a prairie dog rifle this means little. While it could be argued an AR could hunt as well as a mini 14 something about the mini makes it feel a bit more appropriate in the field hunting small game.
They aren't the best blaster in the world. They won't win many/any accuracy contests, and they don't have a huge aftermarket like others chambered in .223/5.56. Still They do have a place and if anyone is interested in trading for a WASR10 I would be glad to add a mini14 to my stable.
ccsniper
member
Maybe he can't own an AK and doesn't like the feel of an AR? Or maybe he just wants a rifle that looks more like a hunting rifle rather than a battle carbine?
I would recommend against the mini 30, unless you use standard 5 round mags from the factory. My friend had one and we couldn't get it to fire more than 3 rounds without the mag falling out (after market mags) the factory original 5 rounder worked perfectly.
kiwihunta
Member
I Think comparing the mini 14 with the AK is comparing apples with oranges,the AK is an eastern block design made for the people by the people, they were designed as a cheap mass produced rifle where accuracy was never really that much of a consideration,made for arming armys who mostly cant shoot anyway, who's philosiphy was to throw enough people at a problem and it will go away.....a cheap gun to arm the masses,the only exceptions to this rule i can see are the Finnish made Valmets and some of the high grade Russian models but as a rule IMHO especially the Chinese made type 56's are inaccurate squirt guns that are only good for a bit of fun at the range,two of the 56's that i have owned were hopelessy inaccurate pieces of s**t in short spray and pray rifles, although i did own a .243 Valmet AK that could shoot.......on the other hand Bill Ruger designed the mini 14 not as a target rifle but as a handy well made reliable tool to be used as a Ranch rifle ,to sit in the truck,or on the bars of a quad,great fun for plinking, handy for around the farm with accuracy thats not really going to set the world on fire but enough for most hunting situations and it is certainly up to knocking over a deer at 100yds as i have done with mine on more than several occasions,if you want MOA then buy a bolt action....when i want MOA i grab my Savage or my Remington,i would also choose .223 all day over 7.62x39 IMHO 39 just doesnt have the legs if you want a 30 cal then shoot .308 win or 30-06 cheers.
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jimmyraythomason
Member
I never had that problem. I had 10,20 and 30 round aftermarket magazines.
schlockinz
Member
Is the mini really that much more accurate than say an SKS? All accounts that I've read put them in a similar boat, and it seems at that point its a matter of
1) external mags
2) aesthetics
3) hating any rifle that was made in com countries
For half the price, or even less, the SKS seems like a good alternative. I think that I'd be more a fan of the mini if they weren't so damned expensive, or at least more accurate if they are going to stay that expensive.
1) external mags
2) aesthetics
3) hating any rifle that was made in com countries
For half the price, or even less, the SKS seems like a good alternative. I think that I'd be more a fan of the mini if they weren't so damned expensive, or at least more accurate if they are going to stay that expensive.
The mini is either too little for too much $, or too much money for a rifle that is no better in any way than an SKS. Not more fun to shoot than an SKS, nor as smooth as an SKS, nor more accurate than an SKS, nor as reliable as an SKS.
Of course my SKS's and AK are Chinese models, which generally are more accurate than most of the others.
I owned a mini until I bought my first SKS.
Of course my SKS's and AK are Chinese models, which generally are more accurate than most of the others.
I owned a mini until I bought my first SKS.
LeontheProfessional
Member
I would go with the Mini 14. You get a lot more ammo options and more magazine availability. The mini 30's firing pin does not due well with the Russian steel case ammo due to hard primers. That is a problem because the brass ammo is a lot more expensive than a subsequent amount of .223.
kiwihunta
Member
From my experience ,and i have owned and shot both extensively i think a mini 14 in .223 would outshoot an sks all day long,set it up at your local range,for starters the mini 14 ranch rifle has a very nice integral mount system taking ruger rings ensuring that scope will never move in a million years as opposed to a rickety receiver mount(if you can get one) that is definitly prone to movement,the calibres are in themselves so different .223 vs 7.62x39 its a no brainer to which one is more accurate and ballistically efficient read some ballistic charts .223 wins everytime for accuracy.As far as hating rifles from com countries.... not so IMHO the sks /ak etc are just plain inferior to a mini or an AR.CHEERS.
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