I purchased a Ruger Stainless Synthetic Mini-30 almost 4 years ago. I purchased this rifle for plinking and informal target shooting. At the same time I purchased a quantity of Wolf non-corrosive, 123 hollow point ammunition. I also purchased some aftermarket stainless 10 round magazines from "U.S.A Magazines, Inc.".
Upon opening the shipping box, I found the rifle to be in flawless condition. Ruger had done a good job in the shipping preparation. Additionally, there were no flaws in the rifle’s fit or finish.
Initially, I sighted the rifle for 100 yards. I have only used the Ruger issued aperture (peep) sight provided on the rifle. I was surprised to find it could easily deliver 2-3 MOA at this range when fired from a hasty bench rest. A note of interest here. Somewhere in the second magazine of ammo, the handguard flaked off a little of its material where it contacts the gas block structure. When I got home I dissembled the rifle. There were the usual rub marks where metal meets metal, but no indication of a problem. I sanded the small flake areas of the handguard and have had no additional flaking in any firing since.
With optimism guiding me, I sighted the rifle at 200 yards during the next range visit. From a hasty bench set up I got 3-4 MOA at 200 yards. I therefore proceeded to shoot it offhand at this range with the Wolf ammo. I have shot the rifle at 200 yards offhand with this Wolf ammo for almost 4 years. I have fired just under 3,000 rounds. It delivers the 5-6 MOA I can shoot offhand at this distance, winter or summer, wet or dry. The sights have needed no adjustment after the sight in. Okay, I probably have fired 75-100 rounds in "fast fire", that is, from the hip at targets about 40 yards away with the 10 round clip emptied as fast as possible. The gun never falters. BTW, this is done in a pit with a high embankment, where such shooting is safe and allowed.
The Mini-30 peep sights present a very good sight picture, equal to that given by my Garand. The little sight has maintained its ability to flip up and down with no weakening of its leaf spring. I store the rifle with the peep folded. For me, the Mini-30 also comes to shoulder quickly and points well. It is a little wobbly in the offhand if I’ve been active (such as x-country skiing) and take a rapid offhand shot. But this wobble is characteristic of any short, light barreled firearm in my opinion.
I have had several hangfires from the Wolf ammo, and actually had one dud. Several rounds required ejection with subsequent trigger time to get a bang. I’ve perhaps had a total of about 20 or so "funny rounds", and consider that overall, this ammo has been pretty good for its low cost. As I clean the gun once a year, whether it needs it or not, I feel that I can agree that the ammo is definitely not corrosive, but it is very dirty.
In summary, I have no negatives to report on this firearm.
The positives have been reliability and accuracy. The rifle started as a plinker, yet provided enough accuracy that shooting it offhand at 200 yards is meaningful, with its accuracy being as good as that of my Garand.
