Mini 30 and steel

[jb100]

I’ve had a new Mini 30 for a few months. Been shooting brass ammo because I read everywhere it wouldn’t shoot steel case. Accuracy is bout what is advertised and reliablity is excellent. I finally decided to try some Commie Tula to see what happened. Pretty surprised to see it run thru 100 rds without a single misfire. I later repeated another 100 rds with the same results. I promptly ordered a bunch more. This is just my observation and results. Not sure why others have the different experience. The target below is 50 yards. Cheers

 

[Riomouse911]

Since SKS and some other com-bloc rifles have floating firing pins, some of the steel cased ammo has rock-hard primers that will lead to an occasional FTF in the mini 30 or AR-15. In my mini 30 I put a Wolff extra power spring to drive the hammer home a bit harder, and in my 7.62x39 AR I put in an extra power spring and a slightly longer firing pin for the same reason.

Both have been100 pct reliable (so far) with all sorts of steel cased 7.62x39 ammo.

Stat safe.

 

[MAKster]

In my experience Silver Bear works well in the Mini-30.

 

[maxxhavoc]

If I knew I could get one that worked 100% with combloc steel, I would buy one to sit next to my Mini-14. Great rifle, very fun. Might try it anyway....

 

[ATCDoktor]

I heard/read the same stories about late model Mini 30’s not functioning well with steel cased ammo and I put off buying one for a couple of years because of that info.

About 2 years ago CDNN was blowing stainless 583 series Mini 30 Tacticals out for less than 700 bucks and I bought this one.


I have run about 2000 rounds of Russian steel cased ammo through it with no problems with feeding, firing or functioning.

It’s been 100% reliable with everything I’ve fired in it.

 

[cowboy77845]

I had a problem with Tula ammo. Installed an extended length firing pin, no problems now.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Yup same here in SKS and mini. Extended firing pin ,heavy hammer spring does the trick.

 

[dh1633pm]

My mini shot steel ammo with a bang, bang, click, bang, click. It was the firing pin. Sometimes they are aren't long enough. Had a new one fitted by the fine folks at ASI and now it shoots steel case ammo with a bang, bang, bang. Nice shooting Mini 30 by the way.

 

[illinoisburt]

... Accuracy is bout what is advertised and reliablity is excellent....
The target below is 50 yards...

If that's a standard SR-1 target with the 3-3/8" ten ring, then your 50 yard group appears to be close to 4 inches. I would expect that at 100 yards with a mini. Does it shoot a tighter group with brass ammo?

 

[Tortuga]

If that's a standard SR-1 target with the 3-3/8" ten ring, then your 50 yard group appears to be close to 4 inches. I would expect that at 100 yards with a mini. Does it shoot a tighter group with brass ammo?

I was kind of thinking the same thing. I don't want to bust up the parade or come off as a disrespectful because I'm still kind of new to this forum, but I was also surprised to see these shot groups along with the fact that I noticed you're also using scope. I would expect a much tighter shot group. As respectfully as i can possibly ask this, is this due to the shooter or the firearm?

The reason I ask is because I love the idea of mini-30s / mini-14s, but I just sold mine a few weeks ago because of the accuracy I got out of it. I was sure to get a later model with the higher serial number and improved barrel thickness, but I was shooting like 3 MOA at 100 meters. Normally people would quickly condemn the shooter, but I also shoot sub MOA with national match grade rifles. So I'm not sure if it's a limitation of the Mini-14 / Mini-30 platform or what.

 

[MarshallDodge]

It looks like you all are having a good time at the range

Minis aren't going to win any benchrest matches but they can be fun to shoot.

 

[illinoisburt]

It looks like you all are having a good time at the range

Minis aren't going to win any benchrest matches but they can be fun to shoot.

I agree 100%. My comment was not to rain on any parade. I am a fan of mini's. They are fantastic plinkers and make for a great range trip. Was just wondering if it did better for him with other ammo or was this similar to his brass experience.

 

[ilmonster]

That looks like a fine grouping. One thing you can do to improve groups a bit is try some smaller gas bushings. The large gas bushing the stock gun uses (Mini 30 or Mini 14) makes them a bit overgassed, which shows itself in ejecting empties into the next county. Most manufacturers of bushings sell a kit with 3 or 4 smaller size bushings you can choose from to get ejection just right (5-7 feet away). Keep up the good work!

 

[jb100]

I was kind of thinking the same thing. I don't want to bust up the parade or come off as a disrespectful because I'm still kind of new to this forum, but I was also surprised to see these shot groups along with the fact that I noticed you're also using scope. I would expect a much tighter shot group. As respectfully as i can possibly ask this, is this due to the shooter or the firearm?

The reason I ask is because I love the idea of mini-30s / mini-14s, but I just sold mine a few weeks ago because of the accuracy I got out of it. I was sure to get a later model with the higher serial number and improved barrel thickness, but I was shooting like 3 MOA at 100 meters. Normally people would quickly condemn the shooter, but I also shoot sub MOA with national match grade rifles. So I'm not sure if it's a limitation of the Mini-14 / Mini-30 platform or what.

Yea it’s all just shooting for fun and not trying too hard. One day I’ll bear down and see if it’ll do better. The scope is Leupold fixed 2.5X. Overall a fun rifle

 

[Ignition Override]

Jb100:

Many people resent the advantages of lower-priced foreign 7.62x39 ammo. Especially Russian.

If they claim that it won’t operate in a Mini-30 (I’ve owned a 30), they have a broken component, or are foolish enough to believe any rumor they hear.

 

[MechAg94]

IMO, the grouping looks fine for just playing around emptying a magazine.

I do like it when I get a shot into the exact center of the bullseye, even if the rest of them are scattered.