Author Topic: Companion Carbine Comparison  (Read 695 times)

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Offline targshooter

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Companion Carbine Comparison
« on: March 08, 2008, 02:00:45 PM »
The purpose of this little passage is to offer a comparison of three VERY handy semi-auto carbines I own for serving as a companion firearm afield. By this, I mean a gun which you take on a trek afield or while camping. The carbine is not being employed for hunting, nor is it being used in an area where known dangerous wildlife is indigenous. I am concerned with it as a firearm that may be called upon to deal with unpleasant animal situations (2 or 4 legged) that may arise while one is afield. Along this venue, I have had to shoot a persistent raccoon (probably rabid) at a campsite and a very unfriendly dog in a remote state land location.
Ruger Deerfield:
This is the lightest and shortest of the three firearms, but not by much in comparison to the Mini-14 synthetic. You have only four shots, but they are .44 caliber. I have shot several deer and quite a few varmints (coyote and woodchucks) with this caliber. All have been close (within 30 yards). All have taken only 1 shot.
Ruger Mini-14:
Almost as light and short as the Deerfield. I use a 10 shot aftermarket magazine in mine when I take it afield. The recoil is very light and you have 10 or more shots if you take the appropriate magazine. I have shot coyotes, wild cats, woodchucks, and feral dogs with the .223. In these varmint size animals the 55 grain and 62 grain bullets, either FMJ or expanding, perform quite well. Uncle Sugar gave us a great varmint round.
Ruger Mini-30:
The largest and heaviest of the three, this is still a pleasure to carry. I use a ten or fifteen shot aftermarket magazine when I take the carbine afield. With the 7.62x39 I have shot feral dogs, cats and woodchucks. The FMJ or the HP bullets do not provide immediate gratification upon hitting the target. To me, it seems the 7.62x39 is a good soldier round but a lousy varmint round.
Summary:
If I was concerned about 2 legged trouble, I would not go afield in that location. That said, I would take the Mini-30 if my main concern was social application.
I usually carry the Deerfield. Reason, I cannot foresee the need for more than one shot and the little carbine is very portable. Lately, I have also taken the Mini-14 on several sojourns. Why? Because I can. It is also great to carry and will dispatch varmints posthaste.