Dudedog
Contributing Member
A friend of mine has a Mini 30 (1999 vintage) He has heard that the Ruger barrels are .308. He has heard that Remington (US made ammo) 7.62X39 are .308 where most Russian ammo (Bear-Tula) in is .311. He has not really shot it at all other than a couple of boxes of Remington ammo.
We checked the Ruger manual and it says "The RUGER® MINI THIRTY RIFLES are chambered for the 7.62 x 39mm cartridge, and can use either standard U.S. military or factory loaded sporting 7.62 x 39mm cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice." That did not really answer the question is it safe to shoot the Bear-Tula 7.62X39 ammo in a Mini 30. I can see it couple of ways.
1. OK not that much difference in .308 and .311
2. Major pressure increase due to the larger bullet, bad things can/will happen.
3. Ok but accuracy will suffer, higher pressures but ok.
(I don't have either flavor of ammo on hand to measure)
I would appreciate any others thoughts on this and if anybody shoots Bear or Tula in the Mimi 30.
Thanks in advance.
We checked the Ruger manual and it says "The RUGER® MINI THIRTY RIFLES are chambered for the 7.62 x 39mm cartridge, and can use either standard U.S. military or factory loaded sporting 7.62 x 39mm cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice." That did not really answer the question is it safe to shoot the Bear-Tula 7.62X39 ammo in a Mini 30. I can see it couple of ways.
1. OK not that much difference in .308 and .311
2. Major pressure increase due to the larger bullet, bad things can/will happen.
3. Ok but accuracy will suffer, higher pressures but ok.
(I don't have either flavor of ammo on hand to measure)
I would appreciate any others thoughts on this and if anybody shoots Bear or Tula in the Mimi 30.
Thanks in advance.
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