Ruger finally listened - Mini-14 in 300BLK

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Not trying to start a peeing competition, just tired of AR fanboys pooh-poohing the Mini 14. They're two different animals.
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Fanboy or not, it's pretty hard to ignore the fact that basically every other autoloading 5.56, .300 blk, 6.8 SPC or 7.62x39mm rifle on the market today does everything a mini can do, does at least one thing better, and often come in cheaper.

In the case of the AR, it does everything better, and at a much lower price point. I can't imagine any reasonable person choosing the mini over an AR unless the state they live in precludes the AR from consideration.

Even Ruger saw the writing on the wall, which is why we have the SR and AR series from them. I honestly don't even know why they bother with the mini anymore. I guess because they already have the tooling? Because they want to pay homage to their history? Because they don't want to lay people on that assembly line off? Who knows.
 
In the case of the AR, it does everything better, and at a much lower price point. I can't imagine any reasonable person choosing the mini over an AR unless the state they live in precludes the AR from consideration.
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No, it doesn't. :) As I've tried to point out time and again, a rifle is more than just a collection of mechanical bits. In my opinion, it needs to be easy to carry in the hand and fast to shoulder, and frankly the AR does not do those things as well as any number of more 'traditional' rifle shapes.

And yes - specific to the speed question, I've timed myself at the range, over and again, from shot timer beep to first offhand shot in the red at 50 yards. Given the number of rounds that I've put downrange from an AR platform, on a square range and hunting, I'm pretty comfortable that my observed speed difference isn't due to lack of stick time.

I'm a devoted AR user, but it's absolutely NOT better at everything.
 
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Ruger Mini 14 in .300aac-blackout ....

I don't understand the Mini 14 bashing either, :rolleyes: . I'd buy a Mini 14 in .300aac-blackout for hunting, target shooting or if I had a huge ranch or estate, security/pest control-varmits.
To put a can on the rifle would be even better, :D .
I'm not a huge AR M4 fan either so to buy a NIB Mini 14 or Mini 30 wouldn't bother me at all.
 
I'm not interested at all in a 300BO version but I wouldn't mind owning one in 6.8 if it was properly chambered this go around. It never hurts to have variety and options to choose from.
 
We were talking Mini14's but AR guys feel the need to trash the mini.

"I can't imagine any reasonable person choosing the mini over an AR"

Having owned AR's, numerous ones, and discarding them but always keeping the Mini, I guess I'll happily bear the mantle of an unreasonable person.
 
A Ruger Mini in .308 - isn't that just a Springfield SOCOM?

Again, the biggest reason I don't have a Mini - mag compatibility. Why would I buy a mini when it does the same thing as an AK or AR (in 7.62 or 5.56) when I'd have to restock all new mags for it? No thanks.

Now, make it accept AK and AR mags, and I'm interested in the platform.
 
meh...I'd rather have the 10/22 available again in 22Mag
 
The problem I see is that if you shoot supersonic loads, you might as well shoot the cheaper 7.62x39. If you're shooting suppressed you are looking at $1+ a round, which while not terrible for hunting (assuming suppressed hunting is legal in your area) it is far from ideal for semi-automatic mentality. For me, the chambering holds no value. I bought into the hype when it was introduced and quickly grew to dislike the cartridge when it didn't really do anything better than quite a few established and less expensive options.
 
I am glad they are doing this. Nice to see Ruger going out on a limb.
Most of the others just play it safe. All that did for them was safety them selves out of about $1500 of my money.
Ruger got me three times this year.
Single 7 in 327 mag
SP101 in 327 mag ( just picked that up yesterday)
And a LCP as a thank you purchase. I was going to get a Diamond Back but Ruger has been good to me lately.

The Mini 14 is not for me, but I know enough guys that dont like AR's but like my 300 Black Out. So there is a market.

As for the nosy ninny's that pop onto every 300 Black Out post and tell us why they wont get one.
I dont care... Buy what you want. I sure do... Sorry but that song is getting kinda old.
Just got done loading 3000 rounds of 300 Black and dont feel like I missed a thing.
 
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Originally posted by DPris
"Ruger tried a .308 version.
The platform was unworkable.
Denis "
Actually, Ruger did try a .308 platform, which was workable, BUT... they ran into a patent/design infringement squabble with Springfield Armory and had to cease production. I read somewhere that only a few hundred were actually produced and are HIGHLY collectable.
 
My bashing isn't because I'm an AR fanboy. I rather like the feel of a conventional stock over a pistol gripped combat rifle both for carry, hunting and especially for shooting from the bench. I just don't think there's a high probability Ruger will make one that is comparably accurate to my AR. And I know they won't make one that allows me to buy 20 or 30 round magazines from 1000 different sources for $10 apiece.
 
I have a mini 6.8 that I've reamed to Spec II chamber. Someday when I have lots of $$$ and time I'll probably toy around with it. I am really interested in building a 358 MGP out of it which is a very impressive 6.8 wildcat. But hey, the 300 BO on a Mini would be fun and fit the role of the Mini too. An easy kicking fun round on a simple and accurate enough semi auto that carries naturally.
 
I have 3 AR's and 2 Mini's. Like them all.
I realize it is considered impossible by some to like the Mini if you like your AR...
I'd buy that 300BO Mini in a second if their price was lower...back when I bought my two Mini's they were around $600 for the SS versions with synthetic stocks. Might go that for the 300BO but not $800+.
 
If you'll look outside the US, the AR is not a rifle that's easy to get a hold on. In Norway it's for IPSC, and it's a two year waiting period. And you can't use it for hunting. But the Mini-14 is legal, and the 300 AAC is an interesting caliber. So maybe the market will be bigger for us europeans? I certainly want one.:D
 
If I still lived in a ban state or preferred the way a mini carried over a pistol gripped rifle, Id still choose this as a better option than a mini anything. JMO. More power to those who chose different.:)

ares-defense.jpg
 
I'm also in the camp of not really understanding what all the fuss surrounding the .300 blk is. I guess if you're going to shoot suppressed, the subsonic heavy bullet loads make sense, but overall, the round just seems anemic. I mean, a .357 mag carbine will push a 125 grain bullet faster at the muzzle than the .300 blk will. Granted, the better BC of the pointy bullet allows it to hold velocity longer, but still.

The mini platform does make sense for those of us in ban states who don't want a neutered AR with a bullet button.
 
Yeah, who'd want a 2m.o.a. Mini that'll eat any kind of ammo when for $1k you can play Tactical Barbies with an AR that will only work with expensive, boutique ammo?
...from experience.
AR fanboys are SO uptight.
 
I'm not interested in the Mini-14 in 300 AAC but kudos to Ruger just the same! They got me as well with their LCR and again with the 3" LCRx. Odds are fair that I'll get a .327 Fed Mag eventually as well, and I've been shopping around for GP100 Match Champion, too.:D
 
The Ares is not legal in Norway ATM, and it never will be for hunting...
So again, the Mini in 300BO is a nice option for us over here. And maybe even that will have to go trough a process to be "legalized"...
 
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