Ruger Mini 14 300 BLK accuracy

[CoalTrain49]

I've always wanted a Ruger Mini so now might be the time to buy one. We have an election coming up here with an Initiative that will probably give us some additional restrictions on semi-auto rifles. Just trying to get ahead of that.

I like 30 caliber carbines so I'm looking at 300 BLK again. For some reason the cartridge has always fascinated me but not because it can be suppressed and loaded subsonic. I like the idea that the brass can easily be formed from .223 and loaded with 110 grain bullets in the 2200 fps range. I have lots of .223 brass, powder, primers and bullets on hand. About the only thing I would need is a saw and a die set to get started reloading. I like the idea of keeping only a few different components on hand for both my rifles and pistols.

Anyway, I'll probably get started on this new to me cartridge and reloading it. I'm just not sure about the rifle. I'm not an AR fan so it will either a Mini or a bolt rifle.

I realize that it hasn't been around very long but curious what others may have found with the 300 BLK Ruger Mini.

 

[someguy2800]

I am a 300 blackout fan but something to keep in mind with the blackout is you spend a bunch of work to make the brass, good bullets are relatively expensive, and in a semi auto all your brass goes flying off into the yonder. Especially with a Mini because they eject brass at about 400 FPS. If the places you shoot at make it difficult to recover your brass, such as anywhere with grass, the blackout will become a lot of work to make brass and feed. If that's the case for you as it is for me you would probably be better off with a bolt action or a 7.62x39. I recall you saying that you do not like single shots but they do make some nice single shots in 300 blk too.

 

[Dr. A]

I certainly agree about the finding of brass. Also, the Mini can be hard on brass as compared to bolt actions and even lever actions. I cut my teeth on 30-30 and liked the size of the cartridge and spent time looking for a bolt action in 30-30. I got frustrated and ended up buying a CZ 7.62x39 and ended up loving the cartridge. You can reload, and the main gripe I hear is finding brass. That hasn't been a problem for me, and I have found quite a few loads that involve cast and other larger .308 sized bullets that work just fine. Both my CZ 527 and Ruger Ranch gun in 7.62x39 are very accurate. I have several semi-auto's and did have a Mini in 7.62x39 and 223. I found they were not for me because of that reloading issue of chucking brass into the next county and its inherent inaccuracy. In the mini, the gun didn't like the cheap ammo either. I have great luck shooting my bolt actions with very good to excellent accuracy and using the very inexpensive Russian ammo. If I want to hunt, I simply reload or buy a box of the better ammo. You don't have to reload and in fact is much cheaper to shoot if you settle on the cheaper ammo. I would skip the Mini, but that is me. Its a fun and exciting gun to begin with, but the limitations of the platform quickly show themselves.

My son and I got hooked on the 7.62x39 and bolt actions when 22 LR was so hard to find during the last administration. Best of luck and realize you can sell the gun if it doesn't work out. I would recommend a bolt action for any reloading, and know the Ruger offering must be functional and accurate given my experiences with mine.

 

[CoalTrain49]

...and in a semi auto all your brass goes flying off into the yonder. Especially with a Mini because they eject brass at about 400 FPS. If the places you shoot at make it difficult to recover your brass, such as anywhere with grass, the blackout will become a lot of work to make brass and feed.

This is the negative info I'm looking for. I guess I already know enough about the 300 BLK cartridge to decide if I want to pursue it. I know nothing about a Mini. 7.62 x 39 is appealing but I already have everything I need to reload 300 BLK. I just don't buy factory ammo for anything I shoot as I prefer to work up the loads myself and maximize the potential of the firearm.

I cut my teeth on 30-30 and liked the size of the cartridge and spent time looking for a bolt action in 30-30. I got frustrated and ended up buying a CZ 7.62x39 and ended up loving the cartridge.

That's where I'm at. I had a 357 bolt rifle and was totally underwhelmed by the accuracy. Now I want an intermediate 30 cal something or other to replace it. I can only shoot out to 300 yards because the local ranges don't offer anything more. I think either x39 or BLK will work here. I've read that x39 can be very accurate (1 moa) in bolt guns with the right loads. I've also read that about BLK.

 

[someguy2800]

Both my 300 blackout and 7.62x39 AR 15's are sub MOA. The blackout with handloads, the 7.62x39 with Wolf commie ammo. I like the blackout better but they are ballistically the same. The 7.62x39 won for me because wolf ammo is cheaper than what I can handload blackout for and I don't have to chase the brass around.

If I was picking one for a bolt action or single shot to handload I would choose the blackout due to brass being free and it using magnum pistol powders vs slow rifle powders, which are more expensive and harder to find.

 

[FL-NC]

I'm not a mini 14 fan (too much $ for not enough accuracy, expensive mags, and a rifle that doesn't lend itself well to modularity, IMO). I am a fan of the 300 B-O though. I have a Ruger American ranch in this caliber, and it is very accurate with Hornady loads, both supersonic and subsonic suppressed.

As for your dislike of the AR, remember that you can get a good one in 223 from a company like PSA for less than a mini 14, and buy a second upper in 300 B-O, and use the standard AR mags. An AR in 223 and a second upper in B-O would probably come in real close in price to just the mini, if you shop smart.

 

[LoonWulf]

Just a note on the mini, you can get adjustable gas blocks, and different size gas bushings.
Nasty ejection need not be tolerated!

 

[illinoisburt]

300 yards bench rest with a Mini-anything is likely to leave you very unhappy. As much as I really like my Ruger, even the newest target versions just aren't made for hair splitting accuracy. After a ton of time and work it might be moa capable, but that's highly unusual for the design. Throwing a bunch of time and money at one is not a great idea when there are so many other better choices.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I guess I'll start looking at bolt rifles in 300 BLK. I already have a 3 moa M1 carbine, not really looking for another one.

There's some interesting bolt rifles out there in 300 BLK.