.308 Mini-14

[natedog]

Here is a topic on another board about the Ruger XGI, a Mini-14 that was slated to be chambered in .243 and .308. Production was cancelled at the last minute. (Pics)

http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7081

 

[son of a gun]

A 308 would have been nice they might have put Springfield out of business if those M1A's keep falling apart in peoples hands.Spingfield falls apart in friends hands

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

it has yet to be proven that there was anything wrong with that particular m-1a besides a bent oprod.

 

[Telperion]

Ugh, look at those cheap-o sights.

 

[foghornl]

Hmmm a Mini-08 (.308) & a Mini-43 (.243). I would take one of each.

 

[Joe Demko]

It would have to have been a better performer than either the Mini-14 or the Ranch Rifle I owned were before I paid anything for one.

 

[benEzra]

To me, .243 makes more sense than .308 in the mini action; if you are stepping all the way up to .308, it would seem to be easier to start from scratch.

Duncan Long says in his book on the mini-14 that the XGI was cancelled because Ruger wasn't satisfied with the accuracy.

 

[SodaPop]

I'd rather have an M1A in .223.

 

[JohnMc]

To me, .243 makes more sense than .308 in the mini action; if you are stepping all the way up to .308, it would seem to be easier to start from scratch.

The mini 14 was based on the M14, with corners cut to save production costs, aside from simply scaling down. That's why it's less accurate than the M1A. I'd just rebarrel an M1A to go for a .243. It'd be way more accurate.

JohnMc

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I'd like to see a mini with a the gas block replaced with an assembly that attaches directly to the barrel, like the m-14, and with m-14 type sights.

if it were chambered in 6.5mm PPC or something, that'd just be gravy.

 

[4v50 Gary]

What I learned at Ruger Armourer School...

20 were made and distributed. One factory employee told me he saw a sample at a gun show but passed it up thinking he'll buy a new one and not one of those "test" models the factory sent out to the writers. He kicked himself in the his *** afterwards.

The XGI had problems with throwing the 5th bullet and that upset ole Bill. Ruger engineers resolved it by making a heavy op-rod that added to the weight. Ole Bill wasn't enthralled with it. Finally, when it came time to gear up, Ole Bill looked at it and was told it would cost $1 million to gear up. He said he could make more by sticking with the Mini-14 and the XGI was shelved.

BTW, I saw the wax casting for the receiver. It was HUGE and struck me as being 10" long. OHMIGOD, a club!

 

[benEzra]

The mini 14 was based on the M14, with corners cut to save production costs, aside from simply scaling down. That's why it's less accurate than the M1A. I'd just rebarrel an M1A to go for a .243. It'd be way more accurate.

And much bigger and heavier. I was thinking the .243 would work in something of the mini's size and weight, whereas the .308 would not.

 

[El Tejon]

nate, Bill Ruger made the decision to cancel the XG1 before you were born, c. 1986.

 

[JohnMc]

BenEzra

And much bigger and heavier.

True enough. What's an AR-10 (in .243) weigh? That'd be pretty nice.

If I was into wildcats, necking a 7.62x39 mm down to .243 would also be a very nice Mini caliber. Hmmm, the 6x39 JMc?

JohnMc

 

[JohnMc]

If I was into wildcats, necking a 7.62x39 mm down to .243 would also be a very nice Mini caliber. Hmmm, the 6x39 JMc?

It's been done:

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/6ppc.html

Accuracy Rifle systems will rebarrel a Mini-30 to these calibers (* = wildcat)
22 PPC *
6mm PPC
7.62x39 SAAMI
.308 x 39mm *
7.62x39 Ackley Improved *
.308x39mm Ackley Improved *
35x39mm *
25x39mm ARS boomer *
http://www.homestead.com/accuracyriflesystems3/index.html

They do Mini14's as well.

JohnMc

 

[mete]

That whole incident left many people angered at Ruger because there were ads for the gun in the magazines yet the gun was never produced. This advertising first making later of course is a practice of more than one company and it stinks.

 

[TODD3465]

Yeah BACK THEN I wanted one BAD! But now I got a M-1-A National Match so who cares.

 

[Houndawg]

Doesn't or didn't Ruger make a Mini-30?

 

[natedog]

Yep, it's in 7.62x39mm. Takes a proprierty magazine.
A flaw in the Mini series is that they have different magazines than the AR and AK series (and price). I'm fine with their accuracy, but it does not justify a NIB price of $500. If they could sell the Mini for -$400, and the 30 took AK mags and the 14 took AR mags, I think they would sell much better.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I was one of those people that wanted an XG-1.

Still think it was a good idea, a great "militia" rifle, and a decent hunter.

Hate those peep sights though.

 

[benEzra]

A flaw in the Mini series is that they have different magazines than the AR and AK series (and price).

I've always wondered why someone doesn't offer an aftermarket mag well piece (if you have a mini, you know what I'm talking about) and magazine catch for the mini-30 that would allow the use of AK magazines.

 

[clint1911a1]

A .308 Mini-14? Wouldn't that just be an M-14?

 

[Publicola]

From what I recall some company down in Florida a few years back was making Mini-14's in .308. It involved rewelding the receiver & adding metal, but they were doing it. No ideas about quality, accuracy or safety though.

The .308 Winchester & the .243 Winchester require an action that's the same length. After all, the .243 Winchester is just the .308 Winchester cases necked down to .243. The .243 Winchester has a max COL of 2.650".
The .308 Winchester has a max COL of 2.750". That .10" difference isn't enough to let you use a different sized action. So a Mini-14 sized action wouldn't work with a .243 Winchester.

But I agree that Ruger should have came out with a gas operated semi in those calibers. Hell, if he had came out with a mag fed '06 based on the Mini design he'd have probably sold more of them than the Mini-14's in a given year (as long as they were priced about the same).

But if anyone wants something close to a Mini in .308 Winchester or .243 Winchester, rebarreling a Garand or M1A is feasible. & if ya want to trim weight & length then getting a "Tanker" conversion done to your Garand or a "Bush" conversion done to your M1A. Both will leave you with around an 18" barrel & a little less weight than a standard Garand or M1A.

 

[Sunray]

"...many people angered at Ruger because there were ads for the gun in the magazines yet the gun was never produced..." Yep. Ruger and most other firearm companies are forever announcing stuff they don't have in production. The .243 WSSM comes to mind. Among others. Announced in what, January '03? Supposedly for release last Julyish. Anyone seen any?
Up here, one of the small sporting goods chains had the XGI in their catalogue for 2 years after Ruger announced the cancellation. Had a MSRP too.
"...a "Tanker" conversion..." These are notorious for not working. Waste of money for yet another marketing concept. The M1A was chambered in .243 and .358 Win way back when. Don't think it is anymore though. Custom barrel required now. Knew a guy had a Super Match in .243. Walked into a Montreal gun show with it slung over his shoulder and was mobbed by eager buyers. Apparently M1A's were few and far between down there.