Mini 14/30 Questions...

Let me start off by saying I have an 'Nam style AR15, T/C Venture in 338 WM, Mossberg 30-30, Mosin Nagant, and M1 Garand.

I recently acquired a wooden Mini 14 stock (curved butt). I am currently refinishing it and have plans to install a rubber recoil pad, checker it, and create Mosin Nagant style sling attachments. Originally I was going to sell the stock. Well, now I am getting this feeling to buy a Mini Series rifle...I don't know why but I just keep getting this feeling everytime I look at one.

I have considered selling my Mossberg 30-30. I have recently reevaluated my hunting rifle needs and keep thinking to use strictly 338 win mag. We have Sitka deer and big brownies. I found i can handload 160 grains (probably light to mid charge loads) for deer and load bigger grain for the brownies.

Now on to my questions

1. Will a wood stock for mini 14 fit a mini 30?

2. Should I sell my 30-30 and get a Mini 14/30?

 

1. Not sure, but it looks pretty close to me.

2. Personally, I would not sell a gun. But I would get a Mini Thirty. It's one of my favorite rifles.

IMHO the 7.62x39 caliber is an excellent all-purpose round. Although maybe not for brownies.

 

The only reason I bought my 30-30 was to hunt deer but didn't see any last year. And since I got into reloading, I can now take a deer with my 338 WM with the right load. Ive only shot my 30-30 once since I bought in July '11.

If I get a Mini Rifle, I don't think I hunt with it...just a range toy...but who knows.

 

be nice to have as a spare in case company shows up or a truck gun

 

The mini 14 stock SHOULD fit a mini 30.

That being said; I would hang onto the 30/30 and add a mini14or30 to your collection... 30/30 seems to be one of those calibers that people regret getting rid of and usually find their way back to it. I love my mini 14 and have taken several deer with it (very small deer in my area). I find myself always looking at the mini 30s. They are not the most accurate things in the world, there are a few things you can do to change that though.

 

88, if it's gonna be primarily a range toy, consider that your ar is already a .223; so's the mini-14. A mini-30 gives you a new caliber to play with (but also maintain in stock - some guys want as many calibers as they can get, others try to limit, your call).

mini-14/30 stocks are SUPPOSED to be interchangable, so PROBABLY...

Don't sell the 30-30. The lever action is slower but more reliable than the mini-30 for hunting, and as you get near the upper end of your range, the 30-30 and 7.62x39 are NOT 'the same thing'... at longer ranges or on heavier game the 30-30 will do things the other can't. (try loading a 170-gr flatnosed lead bullet that runs in your mini-30!)

 

Mini 14's come in the 180 series and the newer 580 series.
I have read were 180 series stock did not fit 580 series rifles. I have no experience.
I remember reading a website where there were directions on how to fit a wooden Mini-14 stock to a Mini-30. Seems like there was some sanding that needed to take place and some type of reinforcement plate.

 

I have a pistol grip Mini 14 stock on my Mini 30. My 30 is a 180 series though, not sure whether they will fit the newer rifles

 

If they are both the old style mini's I know they will fit not too sure about the new model ones. As far as using the 7.62x39 for deer hunting have you ever tried the 154gr soft points from Wolf. I've had great results with them out of my AK.

 

The mini-30 is heavy, and has an absurd amount of recoil for what you get out the other end. I had one and didn't like it. I have an DPMS LR 308 now that doesn't kick half as bad, and it is in a better caliber.
ll

 

Whaaa? MY Mini-30 kicks about as much as a 30-30, that is, not much at all.

 

The mini 14 stock will work on the mini 30 by removing some wood in the magwell area and buying the mini 30 magwell reinforcement bracket. You will also need two screws and star washers to do it correctly. To clear up the confusion on the series numbers, the 180 was the oddball. 181 and up will share almost all parts with the exception of the Ranch Rifle having a different ejector and the integral scope mounts. The only other advice I would give is to use brass cased, boxer primed ammo for the m-30.