Mini-14 and 5.56x45 military surplus

[Southern Shooter]

I recently picked up a 183 serial numbered Mini-14 produced in 1982. I was hoping to find some cheap ammo to shot through it. However, all the "cheap" stuff is 5.56x45 military surplus and Ruger tells me that is a no-go for this gun. It seems just as stout as my friends AR and AK variant rifles. Why can't this gun handle milsur ammo?

Thanks

 

[benEzra]

The manual for my 188-series Ranch Rifle says that the rifle can use both .223 and 5.56x45mm NATO. I don't think there's any reason why you can't use milsurp ammo with it, unless they altered the chamber dimensions at some point.

FWIW, you can download the factory instruction manual from www.ruger-firearms.com, I think.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

It should be fine. However--Ruger has warned about steel cased ammo and that (as has been discussed here) might be a concern. Good old ss 109 w/brass case is fine. The twist rate issue really doesn't apply to the mini (as it does between the ar15a1/a2 and others) so old 55 gr is fine too.

Personally, I wouldn't use steel case in it. I've had one since '90 and it just isn't as tough a customer in terms of ammo as the commie hardware. The receiver is cast and that limits things. It's not a bad little gun, I just think it needs more care than an SKS (especially since they want WAY too much for the things).