[Carl Crosby]

But I do have questions, after watching many YouTube videos.
Why not an AR? I've never really liked the looks of the platform.
That probably makes me weird, or something. I guess it's what you were raised with. I'd like to be able to do with a Mini what I could do with my .30 caliber carbine when I was in the Military. Man-sized targets at 300 yards, and bottom of coke can at 100 yds would suit me just fine. Possible?
I don't believe in spending a lot of money in addition to a rifle's original cost to make it accurate! A trigger job, yes, but much more?

I have read on one site to accurize the Mini, you merely have to remove .030" from the bottom of the gas block, or buy a new gas block with a smaller hole in it. (?)
What rate of twist does the Mini have? 1:8? Will it stabilize 60-63 gr. bullets, and can Military ammo be safely used , or would it be better to use Commercial rounds?

I've also read that if you sight in at 50 yards, the 55 gr bullet will be "on" again at ~250, for a set-it-and-forget-it "battle sight". True?

Last question, then I'll go...I've also read that putting a .45 ACP accessory...a Wilson shock buffer...somewhere in the gas operating system will keep the rifle from battering itself? Is that really needed?

Any clarification you Ruger experts can give me will be muchly appreciated! Thanx.

 

[Magnum.357]

Sounds like the .30 caliber carbine has served you well. I didn't like mine. I even had a single action revolver 3 screws in the same caliber. The revolver, the casings were always getting stuck and difficult to bring out with the ejector rod. The carbine wasn't all that accurate. The mini-14 is also chambered in .223 and I've heard it is now in the common 5.56. Maybe this would be better. Better in ballistics, better in accuracy, better in long distance. As for using the shock buffers, I don't think they are necessary. They weren't used in the Military and they did get used and abused too often and still functioned without the buffers. The .30 caliber carbine was proven to be ineffective or inadequate. Which is why the AR was brought out in .223 then 5.56. The AR platform seemed to be better in all aspects. It had it problems back then but today is has proven to be a good gun in accuracy.

 

[rugertoter]

The AR rifle is a fine accurate rifle, but not exactly the type of rifle you would want to run hundreds of rounds through, without extra parts such as gas rings, springs, extractors, etc.

I have heard that all the Ruger "Mini" rifles are very dependable and don't have too many issues...except in the accuracy department. A co-worker has one of the "newer" models of Mini-14's (with the thicker barrels), and his is about a 2 MOA gun, no matter what ammo he shoots through it. Two inch groups are about the best he can get from the bench, even with a scope.

I sold off all my AR's and AK's, mainly because I burned through tons of ammo, and between the Marines and the years since, I just got plain old tired of cleaning them. I do have a few REALLY accurate bolt guns chambered in .223/5.56, and even though I cannot lay down fire the same way I could before, I enjoy hitting a 300 yard target with predictability beyond belief.

As far as doing a "zero", I have always done a 50 yard one. If I am on at 50, I am about 1.5" high at 100, about 1.5" low at 200, and about 10 or so inches low at 300. I am talking 55-62 grain bullets here, and have not noticed much difference between .223 and 5.56mm.

I don't own a Mini 14 or Mini 30 now, but that will change in the near future. I will probably opt of the Mini 30, being as though I have so much 7.62x39mm, and only one bolt action rifle chambered for that round.

 

[Vinny]

Hey Carl. I have a Mini-14 and AR15 carbine. Yes the AR is modular and easy to upgrade and work on but I haven't had to do anything to the Mini and it works just as well. Try not to overthink it too much. There's not that much difference between the two in accuracy. The following link is one the best AR15 vs Mini-14 comparison videos I've seen. Testing both from 25-50-100-200 and 300yds.

 

[Pancho_Villa]

I have owned several Minis over the years in blue and stainless. All standard. No Ranch rifles, but some standard guns with after market scope mounts and scopes. All were used, no new ones as I swap stuff at local gunshows and hardly ever buy a new gun.

what I have found is that the Mini's are dependable, but only reasonably accurate. Most will do 2 MOA at a hundred with the right ammo as someone mentioned. However, for the best zero and groups with the guns, you will need to let them cool a good while between shot groups. Most of the guns will start to wander after a few shots. A hot barrel usually resulted in groups spreading to 4" or more.

So, cold borre groups with different types of ammo will give you the best idea of which ammo is the most accurate. I am referring to the .223 cal only. I have never owned a Mini 30...…..yet.

Right now, I do not have a Mini, but one will eventually turn up in my gun swapping. I have several ARs in 5.56 and one in .300 Black Out. Also have several pre-ban Chinese AKs in 7.62X39 and one Egyptian Maadi. Also have one Chinese gun in 5.56. I call it my "poor man's Galil." The best of both worlds. Don'r care whot others say about the AK's accuracy. These guns will do 2" at a hundred off a bench. Well, they would when I could still see well. That was with military ammo. The 5.56 NORINCO could do 1.5" MOA with my handloads. and a few of the Minis I owned did also.

 

[Carl Crosby]

Thank you, everybody for your experiences. The video was excellent. Whatever a person might say about Paul Harrell, does make you think.
One thing that I noticed, or at least thought I did...the first round from both rifles was from a cold barrel, and it took another round or three for the chamber to heat up, and warm the subsequent rounds...and the velocity seemed to increase and stabilize about that time.(?) Anyhow, he mentioned something I have thought for a few years...Perception is truth, to many people, and a Mini looks "less wicked" than an AR platform. Maybe that's why the French Police use them. From his presentation, it seems that both rifles, in the hands of a civilian like myself are maybe 250 yard weapons. The main drawback is $$$. A good AR platform gun, like a Smith & Wesson or Ruger can be had for $~500...and I see used Minis that look like they have been rode hard and put up wet for more..like $700 up. Maybe a good used 30-30 would be a reasonable alternative. On a fixed income, the difference is significant! Anyway, keep the remarks and experiences coming.

 

[rugertoter]

Hey, can't beat a good lever action .30-30!

 

[Magnum.357]

30-30? Great gun! I remember as a little boy my mother taking down some coyotes in her ranch. She was tired of them taking her chickens and some ducks. I still have that gun, mounted a scope on it, looks good. I hardly ever take it out. It just sits in my safe and it helps me remember some good times as a kid with my mom. 30-30 has some recoil, quite noticeable from mini-30 and mini-14. Much like the AK 7mm cartridge. Seems like everyone is into the semi-auto now a days. What do you guys think of the Ruger PC 9mm? Is this another great gun by Ruger? Will they be introducing it .45 ACP or maybe the 10mm any time soon?

 

[rugertoter]

30-30? Great gun! I remember as a little boy my mother taking down some coyotes in her ranch. She was tired of them taking her chickens and some ducks. I still have that gun, mounted a scope on it, looks good. I hardly ever take it out. It just sits in my safe and it helps me remember some good times as a kid with my mom. 30-30 has some recoil, quite noticeable from mini-30 and mini-14. Much like the AK 7mm cartridge. Seems like everyone is into the semi-auto now a days. What do you guys think of the Ruger PC 9mm? Is this another great gun by Ruger? Will they be introducing it .45 ACP or maybe the 10mm any time soon?

I wish they would introduce it in 10mm Auto.

 

[Magnum.357]

The .357 magnum in lever action is a good gun as well. Does anyone know if the .357 magnum will be introduced as a pump action or possibly semi auto.
I've heard of some Italian rifles made in .357 mag pump action.

 

[mrmike7189]

I just picked up a 2nd Mini 14. I always liked the looks of the stainless mini14 ,so when I found one in ss/wood I grabbed it up, not a very common combo. Ruger catologs it as the #5802. She is a beauty. For my needs,(100-200yards), the mini14 is more than adequate. If you like the looks of the M1 Carbine, then a Mini 14 in wooden stock is the next best thing imo.

Happy shooting& Happy Holidays!

 

[Magnum.357]

Good looking gun, Congratulations.
Have you taken it to the range.
I'm curious to know how well it handles for you.

 

[mrmike7189]

Good looking gun, Congratulations.
Have you taken it to the range.
I'm curious to know how well it handles for you.

I have not had a chance to shoot it yet. Back to back snowstorms last weekend and I have been battling pneumonia for a week. I hope it shoots as well as my 581 series Mini14. I could get 2 inch groups all day with that gun ....even using iron sights!

 

[Magnum.357]

Bummer on that bad weather. Get well soon so you can enjoy that gun, pneumonia is not a good thing. Lots of vitamin C is very helpful. Stay warm.
Here in So California, it's been raining a lot and cold windy days. Our shooting ranges have diminished to just about none. Unless you want an in door range. We have the worst gun laws ever. We have to register our ammo, just as if buying a gun. Many shooting ranges have closed or adjusted their hours.

 

[mrmike7189]

It shoots about a 3" group at 50 yards with factory iron sights. Keep in mind, I was using very cheap ammo (remington PMC FMJ $6.99/box)just testing her out. My PMI pre ban 30 round mags worked flawless as did the factory 5 round Ruger mags. My 10 round mags always gave me trouble, several failure to feed/jams.( does same thing with my 581 series Mini.) I am not happy with the 10 rounders, but I was able to ring the gong(metal hanging target) at 100 yards with zero problems so accuracy is good.
Happy Happy!

 

[Magnum.357]

Good to hear you like it. That's what it is all about, having fun.
American Eagle by Federal is very good ammo for that gun. At least it was for mine when I had one. Mag Tech was another.

 

[mrmike7189]

I shot some targets today at 100 yards, all in the center black, ,grouping about the size of my hand. Pretty happy with that , using iron sights, and my aging eyes and all. I had one dud round, primer struck and pushed it into the case! One empty brass got stuck in the chamber, had to use a cleaning rod to push it out. Must be a dirty chamber ? I've put 300 rounds through her so far, I will clean her tomorrow.
The Ruger 10 round mags suk..........will be throwing them far far into the back of my junk drawer. Thankfully the 5 rounders work perfectly for target practice.

 

[Magnum.357]

Your gun is very good on accuracy.
Maybe you can contact Ruger about your 10 rnd magazines and get a replacement. At the very least they can inspect them for flaws from their manufacturing process. It maybe as simple as a spring adjustment

 

[mrmike7189]

I had problems with the 10 round mags years before. (2011 I think. ) and I did return one to Ruger . Yes ,They have had bad batches before.
My 581 series Mini was never super accurate. This new 584 series is much better.
Like I've heard before, if you get one that is gassed right, and the slide, bolt fit perfectly in alignment, smooth trigger, then your accuracy will be better than average. Thats why people add new accu -strut kits, new triggers, gas bushings etc. to their Mini's I guess?

 

[mrmike7189]

Just heard today that the MSRP on the Mini 14 has gone up to $1200. Wow!
Glad I got mine when I did.