Mini-14 Ammo

[stinger 327]

I understand that 55 grain .223 bullet is the standard weight for this bullet. There is also a 62 grain bullet in .223 and maybe a few others heavier and lighter than the .55 grain. I think I have seen 40 grain .223.

What are the different grains good for? Is the 62 grain more accurate? In vietnam or maybe in current war they use .55 grain?

This is for a Ruger Mini-14 rifle.

 

[Rshooter]

Up until the late 80's the 55gr was the standard issue for troops and is the standard for a mini-14. The 62gr is the current issue for troops as it gives more range in longer barrels and matches the current light machine gun round carried in platoons.

For home defense I prefer 50 to 55 grain hollow points. For plinking I use 55gr as it works in my mini and AR.

 

[Art Eatman]

stinger, search for threads about twist rates and .223 bullets. Multitudes of commentary that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

 

[stinger 327]

stinger, search for threads about twist rates and .223 bullets. Multitudes of commentary that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

Is that information easily obtainable?

 

[stinger 327]

Up until the late 80's the 55gr was the standard issue for troops and is the standard for a mini-14. The 62gr is the current issue for troops as it gives more range in longer barrels and matches the current light machine gun round carried in platoons.

For home defense I prefer 50 to 55 grain hollow points. For plinking I use 55gr as it works in my mini and AR.

55 grains are easier to get and find. Though I have seen some from Winchester (varmint loads a 40 to 50 grain bullet that goes over 3,000 fps.

 

[RatDrall]

You would probably not be able to notice a difference in performance due to 7 grains of weight. I'd think it was more due to the construction and design of the bullet itself as opposed to tiny differences in weight.

1 in 9 twist will work great with 55 grain bullets.

 

[Art Eatman]

"Is that information easily obtainable?"

Click on the "Search" button and try your luck. You''d be amazed!

 

[ThomasT]

You need to find out what twist your mini has. I have a new 580 and my gun has a 1/9 twist and should stabilize bullets wieghing around 70grs. So far all I shot are 55gr bullets and most of those were the FMJ loads by Monarch I used to buy at Academy. These gave all the accuracy I could ask for with groups being in the 3" range at a hundred yards with open sights. It might do better with a scope I just don't want a scope on my mini.

I have an H&R handi in 223 with a 1/9 twist that keeps 55gr handloads in an inch or so. I have read that 63gr bullets go well with a 1/9 twist I just haven't found any to try. I haven't looked real hard either.

 

[stinger 327]

You need to find out what twist your mini has. I have a new 580 and my gun has a 1/9 twist and should stabilize bullets wieghing around 70grs. So far all I shot are 55gr bullets and most of those were the FMJ loads by Monarch I used to buy at Academy. These gave all the accuracy I could ask for with groups being in the 3" range at a hundred yards with open sights. It might do better with a scope I just don't want a scope on my mini.

I have an H&R handi in 223 with a 1/9 twist that keeps 55gr handloads in an inch or so. I have read that 63gr bullets go well with a 1/9 twist I just haven't found any to try. I haven't looked real hard either.

Why not a scope on your Mini-14?
My Mini-14 is 1994 vintage.
I'm getting about 2 inches at 50 yards. At 100 it's more difficult as with the peep sight I have I can barely see that 3 inch red dot. Maybe I'm hitting the target but it can be across the whole target at 100 but I haven't concentrated on sighting in at 100 since target acquisition is more difficult.

 

[ThomasT]

Stinger I practice quite a bit with open sights on 22s and air rifles just to stay sharp. I did put a scope on my mini and it lasted about 15 minutes before I removed it. I didn't like the weight or the bulk. Plus I have several scoped rifles if that much precision is needed.

I bought the mini for the same thing a lot of AR user bought theirs for. Home defense and and a close range (200 yard or less) battle rifle. I can hit a mans chest from a field rest at 200 yards and thats good enough for what I want it for. I can hit a 13oz coffee can at a hundred yards just leaning against a tree and thats a head shot at that range. Again good enough. Scopes are not the best for shooting across a living room at a BG. My two SKS rifles, my Winchester 1200 and Marlin Camp Carbine are all possible HD guns and have basic sights.

The last time I shot the mini I lined up 6 two liter coke bottles full of water at 90 yards. I went down the line and knocked over 5 bottles. One bottle didn't fall till the 3rd shot hit it. The FMJ bullets didn't produce much shock. I lined up all 6 bottles with the entry hole pointed up. If all eight shots fired would have been on one bottle the group would have been under 2". I was using a small oak tree to rest my left hand on. That will do for what I want it for.

 

[stinger 327]

Stinger I practice quite a bit with open sights on 22s and air rifles just to stay sharp. I did put a scope on my mini and it lasted about 15 minutes before I removed it. I didn't like the weight or the bulk. Plus I have several scoped rifles if that much precision is needed.

I bought the mini for the same thing a lot of AR user bought theirs for. Home defense and and a close range (200 yard or less) battle rifle. I can hit a mans chest from a field rest at 200 yards and thats good enough for what I want it for. I can hit a 13oz coffee can at a hundred yards just leaning against a tree and thats a head shot at that range. Again good enough. Scopes are not the best for shooting across a living room at a BG. My two SKS rifles, my Winchester 1200 and Marlin Camp Carbine are all possible HD guns and have basic sights.

The last time I shot the mini I lined up 6 two liter coke bottles full of water at 90 yards. I went down the line and knocked over 5 bottles. One bottle didn't fall till the 3rd shot hit it. The FMJ bullets didn't produce much shock. I lined up all 6 bottles with the entry hole pointed up. If all eight shots fired would have been on one bottle the group would have been under 2". I was using a small oak tree to rest my left hand on. That will do for what I want it for.

I see your point. Plus with open sights you get much faster target acquisiton more suited for that type of battlefield fighting or for close range when quick shooting is required. I guess the accuracy may not be the best or pinpoint but good enough in the field to hit a man sized target. The scope does make the Mini-14 not as compact and adds size that's one of the reason's I like the rifle as it is compact in standard form. Then again the scope will help with hitting the target using the Mini-14 as a take your time to shoot gun like a sniper rifle.

I'll have to decide too if I want to add a scope to my Ruger 10/22 as this is a fun little rifle but when adding a scope to it that could change the handling of this compact fun rifle.

I guess it is like an AK-47 you wouldn't put a scope on that (maybe they have?) but it just goes against the grain making it more difficult to handle and adds bulk.