Ruger mini 14 or mini 30 ??? Decisions, Decisions

[krod47nw]

I posted this on the Ruger site, but figured I'd try it here too.

I have been considering buying a Ruger Mini 14 or Mini 30.  I want it for a truck/atv gun, but might want to take a deer or hog with it.  Who has which one, and which do you guys prefer?    Thanks!!

I see that the mini 14 is available in 6.8spc too.  So that gives 3 choices now 223, 6.8, or 7.62x39
Please let me know what you think.


Kevin

[Mikey]

krod - for what you want it for, hogs and whitetail, I would go with the Mini-30 but, since you mentioned the 6.8, it is even a better choice for caliber.

I like the 30 but in a Ruger, with a 308 bbl dia, it is more of a reloader's rifle, I would think, to make the Mini-30 into a mini-308 with 308 dia bullets rather than the 311s, although you have 311s in 123, 125, 150 and 180 gn weight.  I just think you would need to really turn ouot some accuracy loads to dind what the Minio-30 would shoot best. 

The 6.8 is right up there in the 260 - 6.5x55 range and that makes it a better caliber for whatcha want than either the 223 or the 30.  However, I'm not so sure Ruger has built the Mini to properly handle that round.  If the newer Minis have heavier bbls than the older ones and can shoot more accurately over prolonged sessions then I would go for it in a heartbeat.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[Ranger J]

Having owned a mini 30 my advise is to get a Saiga instead.  It is considerably cheaper and a darned site more accurate all though the 'new' minis are said to be more accurate.  Mine was more of a scatter gun with any ammo I used.  I will give it one thing it never failed to function but even my SKS was much more accurate.

RJ

[Type99]

Hello...

For a 'truck gun', I see nothing wrong with a Mini 14.  It all depends on what you want out of your rifle.  If you are looking for pin-point MOA accuracy at ranges of 100 yards plus, a Mini does not have it.  If you want acceptable accuracy at shorter ranges, then you may be in the ball park.  My Mini 14, which is a dated model now, shows best accuracy at 100 yards with handloads.  It has enough accuracy to shoot chucks at that range, and I think it would be an excellent all-round truck gun.  A friend advises to get a Stag Arms AR in .223, however.  I have no experience with a Saiga, so I can't comment.

Once again, it depends on what you want your rifle to do.  If you are looking for superior accuracy, a Mini 14 does not deliver the bacon.  For reliability, fast handling, and access to a world of accesories and add-ons, there is nothing wrong with a Mini. 

Cheers,
Gary

[R.W.Dale]

I like the 30 but in a Ruger, with a 308 bbl dia, it is more of a reloader's rifle, I would think, to make the Mini-30 into a mini-308 with 308 dia bullets rather than the 311s, although you have 311s in 123, 125, 150 and 180 gn weight.  I just think you would need to really turn ouot some accuracy loads to dind what the Minio-30 would shoot best.

Supposedly only the very first few batches of Mini30's had .308 bores and any rifle made in the past decade or more will have a .3095 to .310 bore

 BUT

by all accounts your average $90 rusty SKS will shoot circles around a Mini 30 anyhow. SKS + TechSight = what's a Mini

[pastorp]

I have a new mini-14 and it is considerably more accurate than the 3 older ones I have owned. They are reliable and the fun factor is high, but the 223 is no deer & hog cartridge for the average hunter. Read you must really pick your shots.

If I wanted a semi-auto deer gun I would buy a Browning BAR. Regards, Byron

[handirifle]

Well I have two mini 14's, a Target model, and 3 year old 580 series, both in 223, but from my readings, inside 150-200yds, I think your best bet is the 30, for the heavier weight bullets available, especially if you reload.  The great debate over the 6.8 and 7.62x39 goes on.

One thing to consider is the availability of ammo, plus keep in mind, the Ruger doesn't much care for the Wolf ammo, which tends to be the cheapest.

You might get more response on this over at www.perfectunion.com, look for the mini 14 forums, http://perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86.