Mini 14 or Mini 30?

[azmark]

I love this rifle and will start to save up for one.  I'm going nuts deciding on the caliber, though.  They both have their advantages.  I'm trying to figure out which caliber would be less expensive to practice with. As well as which will be more easily found at retail outlets.

[hardertr]

The mini-14 uses ammo found ANYWHERE that is cheaper than the 30's 7.62x39.
What are your plans with the ammo other than target practice?




My suggestion..... buy and AR 

[Empty Quiver]

Unless you plan on primarily hunting hogs and deer I would look to the Mini 14.
 
 Price mags, high quality mags, high capacity mags. For defense and plinking you will want the Ruger Hi-Caps, accept nothing less. I'm not sure whether you can get Ruger Hi-Caps for the Mini-30.

[azmark]

I would use it if I get the opportunity to hunt hogs, I woul use it on coyotes and other predators.


I've thought seriously about an AR but I just like the Mini better.

[Empty Quiver]

Both cartridges were adopted to fill the same role. The problem is that there isn't enough difference to really matter a bunch. I'm betting you will be well served by either one. The .223 has a wider variety of ammo options, probably a good thing as it needs to be custom tailored to the task at hand a bit more.

[hunt-m-up]

First choice would be Mini in 6.8SPC, second choice would be the 30

[Dixie Dude]

If it weren't for the prices going up, the SKS was once much cheaper than the Mini-30.  The 30 can take a scope which would make it a better deer gun.  If you reload the, 7.62x39 would give you a lot of options.  I've heard of people using the cartridge with 150g bullets, and you can go down to 110 grains. 
 
Like someone said, you might want to get an AR for the .223. 

[reliquary]

If you decide on the mini, be careful which twist rate you get.  Mine...stainless/synthetic ranch...will not handle 55-grain bullets with any degree of accuracy...I've tried several different brands and it sprays them all over the paper...4"-6" groups at 25 yards off sandbag!  It will only stabilize 62-grainers and larger. 
 
I am going to sell it to a gunbuddy who reloads for that caliber and get some form of AR. 

[hardertr]

I would use it if I get the opportunity to hunt hogs, I woul use it on coyotes and other predators.


I've thought seriously about an AR but I just like the Mini better.

In that case, I would go with the mini-30.  The 5.56 rounds CAN kill a hog, but the 7.62 WILL kill them.  You still have the option of plinking with mil-surp, and can always use better ammo in the 7.62 for hunting purposes.


I use a Saiga 7.62x39 for hogs and coyotes at night.  The majority of my "targets" have fallen within 20 yards of where they were shot.  I've found coyotes 200 yards in the woods even after a good placement shot with an AR.