xlh883
Member
Hello good people, I've just bought a Mini-14 and I would like to know if I can use 5.56 x45 along with the .223 rounds.
Mini 14 Ammo Newbie question
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Ed Ames
Member
Yes
Or, if we're going for more depth than one-word answers can provide... the mini-14 manual I read (downloaded from of ruger's web site) says the mini-14 is chambered for the military cart. but will fire .223. I'd suggest you look at the manual for your weapon and see what it says.
Edit: The manual for a 183-prefix serial number (in other words, 1983-84ish model) says:
The RUGER® MINI-14® RIFLES are chambered for the .223 Remington
(5.56mm) cartridge. The Mini-14 Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S.
military, or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges manufactured in
accordance with U.S. industry practice.
Or, if we're going for more depth than one-word answers can provide... the mini-14 manual I read (downloaded from of ruger's web site) says the mini-14 is chambered for the military cart. but will fire .223. I'd suggest you look at the manual for your weapon and see what it says.
Edit: The manual for a 183-prefix serial number (in other words, 1983-84ish model) says:
The RUGER® MINI-14® RIFLES are chambered for the .223 Remington
(5.56mm) cartridge. The Mini-14 Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S.
military, or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges manufactured in
accordance with U.S. industry practice.
Froggy
Member
It is not so simple as a plain, unqualified "no."
Check the owner's manual that came with your Mini-14. If you don't have one, visit Ruger's web site and download a pdf version or contact their customer service reps at phone 603-865-2442 and ask for a copy to be mailed to you. Make sure the manual matches your model of Mini-14. The newer Mini-14's are different from the older ones.
If you have a new Mini-14 (serial number beginning with 580-), you CAN use 5.56mm ammo.... see page 11 of your owner's manual. Mine says:
If your gun's serial number does not begin with 580-, get the right answer from the owner's manual that matches your particular model.
In case you are curious, here is a description of the differences between the sporting .223 Remington cartridge and the military 5.56x45mm cartridge:
http://www.winchester.com/lawenforcement/news/newsview.aspx?storyid=11
... (the details in there probably explain why some people complain of "inaccurate" Mini-14s; switching to .5.56 might solve their problems) ...
When in doubt, consult your owner's manual.
Check the owner's manual that came with your Mini-14. If you don't have one, visit Ruger's web site and download a pdf version or contact their customer service reps at phone 603-865-2442 and ask for a copy to be mailed to you. Make sure the manual matches your model of Mini-14. The newer Mini-14's are different from the older ones.
If you have a new Mini-14 (serial number beginning with 580-), you CAN use 5.56mm ammo.... see page 11 of your owner's manual. Mine says:
If your gun's serial number does not begin with 580-, get the right answer from the owner's manual that matches your particular model.
In case you are curious, here is a description of the differences between the sporting .223 Remington cartridge and the military 5.56x45mm cartridge:
http://www.winchester.com/lawenforcement/news/newsview.aspx?storyid=11
... (the details in there probably explain why some people complain of "inaccurate" Mini-14s; switching to .5.56 might solve their problems) ...
When in doubt, consult your owner's manual.
oooh...didn't know this happened. When I was trolling around looking for a semi-auto to buy, I was told to get an AR over an mini-14 to shoot mil-surplus.
Mannlicher
Member
For all practical purposes, the Remington .223 and the 5.56X45 NATO round are the same.
For those that love to delve into theory, and love a good argument, they might have a little difference.
Visit this web site, and find out the facts. No sense just taking the word of nimrods you meet in forums.
http://www.ammo-oracle.com/
Another good source of info from folks that know more than average Joe is on this site:
www.perfectunion.com
for what its worth, I have shot thousands of rounds of MilSurp 5.56 out of my Mini. I dont know if I have ever shot commercial Remington 223 in it.
For those that love to delve into theory, and love a good argument, they might have a little difference.
Visit this web site, and find out the facts. No sense just taking the word of nimrods you meet in forums.
http://www.ammo-oracle.com/
Another good source of info from folks that know more than average Joe is on this site:
www.perfectunion.com
for what its worth, I have shot thousands of rounds of MilSurp 5.56 out of my Mini. I dont know if I have ever shot commercial Remington 223 in it.
xlh883
Member
Nimrods... 
havn't heard that word since sunday school. You guys are the best around
havn't heard that word since sunday school. You guys are the best around
Mannlicher
Member
Froggy,
The manual that came with my 188 series Ranch Rifle also states that either the .223 commercial ammo or the standardized US military ammo. My Mini was made in 1990.
The manual that came with my 188 series Ranch Rifle also states that either the .223 commercial ammo or the standardized US military ammo. My Mini was made in 1990.
Froggy
Member
Mannlicher said:
Yeah, I think all of them are chambered for the 5.56. But I think the models differ a bit... at least that is implied in my owner's manual. I was just nudging OP to make sure the version he downloaded (if he needed to) matched his particular model, just in case there were different part numbers, etc.
RNB65
Member
Yes, it will shoot mil-surp with no problem. Ruger corporate policy is to keep their weapons totally civilian and to avoid anything that hints at military use (example, only selling 5rd mags for the mini-14). Thus, they stamp the mini-14 as a Rem .223 rifle and not a 5.56mm NATO rifle. However, the chamber is spaced for 5.56mm rounds.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Most definitely yes.
You may have to experiment to see what loads shoot the best, though--55-grain loads, or 62-grain M855 type, etc. I've generally gotten the best (relatively speaking) accuracy out of my 188-series Ranch using 55-grain commercial softpoints (not the cheap stuff) and 69-grain JHP's, but it's not a very significant difference.
You may have to experiment to see what loads shoot the best, though--55-grain loads, or 62-grain M855 type, etc. I've generally gotten the best (relatively speaking) accuracy out of my 188-series Ranch using 55-grain commercial softpoints (not the cheap stuff) and 69-grain JHP's, but it's not a very significant difference.
Keith Wheeler
Member
I just downloaded all the Mini-14 manuals available from the Ruger website
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PS-InstructionManuals-RI.html
Every single one of them, on the front cover, says "Caliber .223 (5.56mm)".
Without wanting to start a war, I think the whole .223 isn't 5.56mm hysteria is a bunch of bogus non-sense started by the American retail arms industry to 1) keep people from putting their ammo dollars in to surplus, and 2) provide some liability protection. Note the link to the difference between .223 and 5.56 being to an ammo manufacturer's website. Yeppers, they don't have anything to gain by scaring you awary from that cheap Guatamalan 5.56mm, do they? "The 5.56 cartridge case may have thicker walls, and a thicker head, for extra strength." MAY.
"The 5.56mm military cartridge fired in a .223 Rem chamber is considered by SAAMI (Small Arm and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) to be an unsafe ammunition combination. " Yeah, using cheap surplus ammunition has generally been deemed unsafe to the pocketbooks of commercial ammunition manufacturers.
After all was said and done the warnings ended up saying "don't use 5.56mm in a .223 unless the manufacturer says it's ok". Uh-huh. Can anyone name a manufacturer who says NOT to use 5.56mm in their ".223" marked rifles? I will not say "it's always OK to shoot 5.56 in a .223 marked rifle". ReadTheFManual first. But I still ask, is there ANY US manufacturer who makes a .223 chamber not throated for 5.56m?
I've had my Mini-14 since 1986. Like Mannlicher I've shot thousands of military rounds of various flavors through it: Lake City, RG, Guat, Israeli, 55gr, 62gr, tracer...other than a handful of hunting rounds, military is all it's fired. I prefer not giving my ammo dollars to those who would obfuscate something as critical as firearms for the sake of their own bank accounts.
Oh, and the Mini-14 has been used in various military, para-military, and, um, "special operations" theaters around the world. Think they used only commercial ammo?
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PS-InstructionManuals-RI.html
Every single one of them, on the front cover, says "Caliber .223 (5.56mm)".
Without wanting to start a war, I think the whole .223 isn't 5.56mm hysteria is a bunch of bogus non-sense started by the American retail arms industry to 1) keep people from putting their ammo dollars in to surplus, and 2) provide some liability protection. Note the link to the difference between .223 and 5.56 being to an ammo manufacturer's website. Yeppers, they don't have anything to gain by scaring you awary from that cheap Guatamalan 5.56mm, do they? "The 5.56 cartridge case may have thicker walls, and a thicker head, for extra strength." MAY.
"The 5.56mm military cartridge fired in a .223 Rem chamber is considered by SAAMI (Small Arm and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) to be an unsafe ammunition combination. " Yeah, using cheap surplus ammunition has generally been deemed unsafe to the pocketbooks of commercial ammunition manufacturers.
After all was said and done the warnings ended up saying "don't use 5.56mm in a .223 unless the manufacturer says it's ok". Uh-huh. Can anyone name a manufacturer who says NOT to use 5.56mm in their ".223" marked rifles? I will not say "it's always OK to shoot 5.56 in a .223 marked rifle". ReadTheFManual first. But I still ask, is there ANY US manufacturer who makes a .223 chamber not throated for 5.56m?
I've had my Mini-14 since 1986. Like Mannlicher I've shot thousands of military rounds of various flavors through it: Lake City, RG, Guat, Israeli, 55gr, 62gr, tracer...other than a handful of hunting rounds, military is all it's fired. I prefer not giving my ammo dollars to those who would obfuscate something as critical as firearms for the sake of their own bank accounts.
Oh, and the Mini-14 has been used in various military, para-military, and, um, "special operations" theaters around the world. Think they used only commercial ammo?
Amish_Bill
Member
It's a chamber issue. Unless you have a min spec .223 chamber (doesn't exist in the stock Mini) using 5.56 is fine.
Now, precision bolt guns are more likely to have min spec .223 chambers. In that crowd, it's good to be careful of what you feed it.
Now, precision bolt guns are more likely to have min spec .223 chambers. In that crowd, it's good to be careful of what you feed it.
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