Mini-14, Mini-30

[TimboKhan]

Allrighty then,

my buddy would like to hear some comments on the Mini-14 and the Mini-30, in terms of potential for accuracy, suitability for predator hunting, reliability, etc... We are both big Ruger fans, but as it happens, I just don't know that much about the either of those two rifles, although I told him that I thought the 14 had a reputation for being inaccurate. Anyway, I would like to hear some solid opinions, good or bad, but keep out-and-out Ruger bashing to a minimum, please.

Word.

 

[KriegHund]

It can be very accurate...with the proper expensive modifications.

As a mini-14 owner, i can say that they are very fine weapons.

I can also say that i suggest you get an Ak-47. In truth, as much as i like my mini, i wish i had gotten an ak. I do not deny that they are Light, reliable, and reasonably accurate weapons. I just think that for the price the Ak-47 is more accurate, has more modifications, and is possibly more reliable.

Also, both cost anywhere from 300-600$. Both run the same price gamut.

 

[zerosignal]

Mini 14/30's are great truck guns, and very reliable, but as you mentioned, not that accurate. The first shot from a Mini is reasonably accurate, but the problem lies with the thin barrels. With repeated follow-up shots, the barrels tend to overheat and your groups will widen.

 

[Farnham]

^^^^

What he said.

S/F

Farnham

 

[esldude]

Yeah mini 14 is good for what it is which isn't super accuracy. The mini 30 is probably all things considered inferior to the AK47.

Now if you want a nice predator rig in a Ruger, man get one of the Ruger 7.62x39 bolt action rifles. Friend has one that is highly accurate even with regular ammo. Nice, light, easy to clean, accurate, and simple. Would make a much better predator rig I would think. Easier to put a scope on too. I don't even mind the synthetic stock on a medium power cartridge like that.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Mini's are usually second to none in the reliability department. Accuracy, however, can be measured in minute-of-pie plate. (mine is 2.5-4 MOA, depending on ammo). Would be a fine saddle gun for close in and quick off-hand shots. But for serious predator hunting, there are better choices. The mini is a good multi-purpose smallbore, though.

 

[carolinaman]

Hi there,

I owned one back in the mid-90's and it benefited greatly from handloaded ammunition.

About six months ago, I bought a stainless steel Mini-14 Ranch Rifle and I really like it. It is not a minute of an angle (MOA) rifle, but I did not buy it for benchresting at 100 yards.

It is quick handling carbine length rifle that can be counted on for fast close range shooting in the bush and thickets of the coastal area where I live.

MachIVshooter Mini's are usually second to none in the reliability department. Accuracy, however, can be measured in minute-of-pie plate. (mine is 2.5-4 MOA, depending on ammo). Would be a fine saddle gun for close in and quick off-hand shots. But for serious predator hunting, there are better choices. The mini is a good multi-purpose smallbore, though.

I agree with that statement.

For fox and other small game, it is a good rifle if you are out and about. In most hunting situations, it is the first shot that counts!

I am planning on putting a quick sling, B-Square Weaver Base and Red Dot on mine for quick varmint shooting when I am on foot up in Virginia on the family farm.

Chris

 

[atblis]

Get an AR

Not that much more expensive.

Usually much more accurate

 

[Art Eatman]

What I found with my Mini-14s was that the first shot from a cold barrel pretty much goes to the same spot as the day before. For shooting coyotes or jackrabbits, it's as good as most any rifle with a 150- to 200-yard cartridge.

Benchrest groups? After three shots, that skinny barrel heats up too much. So, why bother? That's not its intended use, anyway.

Art

 

[benEzra]

Some nifty aftermarket stocks are available for the mini. Here's mine (188-series Ranch Rifle) with a Butler Creek folder.

 

[eastwood44mag]

Minis are a PITA to take apart (for me at least), but they're reliable as all get-out. I've jammed an AK, I have yet to jam a Mini.

Figure mine will be used as a scavenger gun (coyotes, feral dogs, etc.).

 

[Average Joe]

Sold my mini 14, not willing to put tons of money in it .

 

[ArmedBear]

A Mini has one real advantage over the AK: the Mini doesn't stick out in all directions.

The Mini is also available in Stainless.

I like mine.

There's a reason it comes with a 5-round magazine -- barrel gets hot.

If you're talking about 300-yard predator hunting, get a varmint rifle. The Mini ain't that. If you want semiauto, there are AR's that will work well, or if you're rich, a modified Mini or the new Volquartsen will work, too.

If you're talking "Surprise, coyote! Bang Bang Bang!", relatively close-range hunting, then the Mini will work great.

When you think Mini, consider that it was made to replace lever guns, not bolt guns.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

Check out the following forum for loads of info on the mini-14:

http://www.perfectunion.com/


I like my mini's (I have 3 of them), but I like my AK-47 better.

The things I like about my mini's are that they are:

1) California legal
2) Stainless Steel
3) Fairly easy to do minor modifications to improve accuracy
4) Ranch model has scope mounts
5) Small and handy

Things I don't like about my mini's:

1) They get hot quick and accuracy suffers
2) Factory Hi-Cap mags are difficult to come by

 

[deputy tom]

The Mini-14 is a nice,fun to shoot little carbine with lots of accessories to fit.Mini-30's aren't as good an idea with very few goodies available and spotty acuracy.A better choice than the Mini-30 would be an AK in either an SAR-1 or WASR (if you don't mind lack of dimples) configuration.Fun to shoot,easy to clean,modify,etc.YMMV.tom.

 

[wickedsprint]

My last two mini-14s were a hoot to shoot, very reliable, easy to field strip..etc, I will definitely own another one, I was not a very good shot with it, the sights seemed a bit vague for me, maybe I just was not use to them. If you are looking for accuracy and a .223 you might consider another route because for the price people spend on aftermarket barrels and stocks plus the purchase price of the mini-14 you could build yourself a very nice AR.

 

[fog]

hey eastwood44

hey eastwood what does pita mean?

 

[tango3065]

I think it means pain in the arse.

 

[carolinaman]

Hi there,

eastwood44mag Minis are a PITA to take apart (for me at least), but they're reliable as all get-out. I've jammed an AK, I have yet to jam a Mini.

I would have to agree the putting the bolt back in is one of the most challanging tasks ever designed to befuddle me. It's like the rubics cube of rifles.

Chris

 

[demusn1979]

Ha Ha!

 

[steve4102]

Allrighty then,

my buddy would like to hear some comments on the Mini-14 and the Mini-30, in terms of potential for accuracy, suitability for predator hunting, reliability, etc... We are both big Ruger fans, but as it happens, I just don't know that much about the either of those two rifles, although I told him that I thought the 14 had a reputation for being inaccurate. Anyway, I would like to hear some solid opinions, good or bad, but keep out-and-out Ruger bashing to a minimum, please.

Word.

The Ruger Mini out of the box is known to be a poor shooter as are many other auto loaders and even some bolt guns. That being said the Ruger Mini can be made to shoot with a little time and effort and only a few bucks. As with most bolt guns the Mini will also benefit from a good bedding job and some serious load development. Adjusting the gas block screws is also a must. This is the place to go to get all the info you need to get any mini on target. http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=8

 

[patrol120]

I disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled a Mini14 for the first timein my life last night, and did not find it difficult at all. No tools needed, and took all of about 30 minutes for a gun that hasnt been cleaned for years. A borenake is an absoulte necessity.

Its not an AR, but it will do for general use.

 

[KriegHund]

I found my mini-14 extremely easy to field strip.

Theres only what, 6, 7 parts? Lets count....
Trigger assembly
Stock
Reciever
Gas piston
Gas piston spring
The rod that goes into that spring
The bolt

And theres the little plat that has the bolt-hold back device thingy, if you want to count those.

So that makes 7 pieces. 9 if you count the bolt hold back thingy.

And the vast majority of those pieces are very large.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

My best friend has a mini-14 and loves it to death. All the above mentioned stuff about accuracy is true, but for a plinking rifle it's great.

a couple points
1. hi cap mags are available but vary widely in quality (even Ruger mags)
2. field-stripping is more invoved than on an AR, but should pose no problem if you've done something like a Garand. (or read the manual )
3. with a bolt on flash-hider and bayo-lug it will fit the M-7 bayonet