Mini 14 or Mini 30

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If1HitU

If1HitU

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I have one rifle in my collection,and i'm going to add one more,I thought about a AK 47 Semi auto. But now I think it's going to be a Mini 14 or Mini 30. Opinion on the rifles if you have one or more.Thanks!
 
accuracy isnt all that good about the same as ak 47
Hey guys. I've seen several threads about the Ruger Mini-30 accuracy so I did some testing this afternoon. I fired 5 shot groups at 150 yds with a Weaver 3-10 by 40mm set on 10 power. I shot in a prone position with the forend resting on my range bag. I used a variety of steel cased and brass cased ammo. Here are my results.

Steel Cased
Golden Tiger 124 gr FMJ= 6.4"
Silver Bear 122 gr Hollow Point= 2.5" I thought that was a fluke so I did another one.
2nd Silver Bear 122 gr Hollow Point= 4.75"
Brown Bear 125 gr Soft Point= 6.5"
Hornady 123 gr VMAX= 7"

Brass Cased
Fiochii 124 gr FMJ= 5"
Federal American Eagle 124 gr FMJ= 5.5"
Federal Power Shok Soft Point= 6.25"
MFS 124 gr FMJ= 5.5"

I would call my Mini a solid 3 to 4 inch shooter at 100 yds. It's not great, but have to keep in mind the Mini is a semi auto carbine using cheap ammo. I thought there would be a greater spread b/w the different ammo types.

I used a Ruger 20 rd factory mag in this test and had problems with the mag feeding the last rd part of the time. That was frustating. I've had the mag less than a year and it's always worked before.
Click to expand...
 
14. At least go with the superior round. $700 + is way to much for those guns IMO, when an AR can be had for less. Make sure to get Ruger mags, which are also pricey- aftermarket mags often have reliability issues.
 
Ive got all 3.....the new production Minis are the best yet, with better accuracy, reliability, and (finally) factory hi cap mags. If our relations with Russia worsen, or if UN arms agreements finally shut off the flow of cheap 7.62x39 from Eastern Europe, then expect to pay double what we do now for those rounds- makes the 5.56 look much better economically.

There are lots of perfectly valid reasons for passing over a Mini for an AR, but if you really want one, go for it! You won't likely be disappointed.:)
 
Between the two I have gone Mini-14 as the ammo is easier to find in most places if you are just looking for a box or two and not bulk ordering.

I think magazines are easier to find than those for the -30 as well.

I have seen a couple of Mini-14s go through a carbine course of three days and do fine.....better than some of the ARs there reliability wise and accuracy that was "good enough"

I used my wife's on one stage of a class ( I used an Sterling AR-180 with irons in that one) that was about self defense shooting from seven to 35 yards and it shooting from my hands did as well as any of the ARs shot from other folk's hands.

Something to think about anyway when folks bad mouth Mini's.

-kBob
 
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