mini taticals

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yotesmoker

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Looking to purchase a mini tatical in either in 223.and 7.62x39 I have a large supply of ammo for both calibers.I do not hunt anymore but will shoot coyotes if they come near my farm.I mainly shoot paper and cans and such. Which of the two do you consider to be the more accurate?I have colt AR's in both calibers but now am interested in a mini to add to my collection.Any thoughts?
 
Mini Target in 223 :) Love the laminate thumbhole/stainless barrel look. Take that ridiculous BOSS wannabe off the front and put a can on it. Surpressed Coyote enemy #1.

If they took STANAG mags, I'd buy one without hesitation.
 
What's a mini tactical?

Which of the two do you consider to be the more accurate?
Click to expand...
.223 will give you way more choices in ammo. If you're wanting to shoot over 300 or 400 yds, may want to stay 1:8 or faster.
 
I own newer models and they shoot great one has over 2000 rds through it and has never had any failures and can shoot 1 1/2 " groups all day the other is a tactical model and sighted in at 50 yrds with a pistol scope (NcStar 2.5x30) I had some issues early on but they were magazine related so don't waste your money and use factory mags
 
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I have owned minis for years, only one mini 30, it had a thin barrel and after 10 rounds or so it was minute of pie plate, sold it, wished I still owned it just cause be neat to have. currently own a mini 14 tactical and with a 2x7x33 Leupold, it can do 2 inch groups at 100 yards. good little truck gun, I shoot hogs and coyotes every day in my cow pastures, and it works just right.
 
If you want accuracy, don't buy either. Get a Ruger SR 762 in .308. The mini is not a very accurate rifle. I own four of them, new and old. The 7.62x39 (AK round) is not a particularly accurate round, but it carries some power. The .223 (5.56) is a more accurate round, but the Mini is not.

The .308 is a very accurate round that carries a lot of energy and is very accurate.

If you like 7.62x39 buy a Saiga or a good quality AK. If you want a good rifle for .223 you already own the Colt.

I own both ARs and Minis in 5.56. The reason I own both is because I keep them in different locations for different purposes. Also, in California, I can shoot my minis without magazine release resrtictions. The ARs have magazine locks that make mag changes a pain.
 
I'm not claiming that any Mini would drive nails unless alot is spent to improve on its accuracy but I certainly feel that 1 1/2 groups are more then adaquate for most situations . In fact my last range trip was with my DPMS yes it shoots slightly better but for a kill shot i doublt the 1/2 "would matter for a tack driver buy a bolt action Savage I think are the most accurate ... I've owned two Saiga's and they were no more accurate then my Minis I will however agree about the .308 its a heck of a round .
 
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I had one in 223 for quite a few years. I like the way they carry and handle. The cold bore shot was great and would work great for farm/ranch use. The only issue it had was after 2-3 shots it started walking. I hear the newer ones are alot better.
 
Yotesmoker, The newer "tactical" Mini's are not so bad accuracy wise.
I have a friend (in the Marines) who recently bought one and personally witnessed him shooting 3 rnd groups @ 100 yds which you could cover up with a dime.
If you choose to buy an older model, and wish the kind of accuracy described in the previous posts, then make sure you buy a late series, say 197-xxxxx made after Rugers tooling was surely worn out, then use ammo say 69 gr, which the rate of twist will not stabilize, and add a Butler Creek flexable synthetic folding stock, that the action is sure to wobble in and you can expect similar results.
I have early Mini's 181, 182, and 183 series, always use wooden stocks which the action bites into firmly, only 55gr. ammo and get similar accuracy, as the newer 5XXX models made after Ruger re-newed their tooling. Not as good as the new Mini target models, but minute of Coyote @ 300 yds. Can't speak to the Mini 30, I have never seen one, but the 7.62X39 round is very close to a 30-30 in ballistics, which to me, means a 150 yd. rifle.
STW
 
The standard Mini-14 ranch rifle is a good gun. I've had one for the better part of a year now and put nearly 2k rounds through it. It's simple and effective. A nice, classic feel compared to your AR-pattern rifle, accurate for the purposes you're looking to fill, reliable and easy to maintain.

The only thing I did not care for is the rear peep sight. Felt it was too small.

My recommendation would be to find a replacement rear sight and leave everything else dead stock.
 
TexasPatriot.308 said:
Snowblind, maybe the Ghost ring sights are what you need. I like my minis with irons, only got one with a scope and it is the Tactical model.
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I had tried to find something like the XS rear aperture, but I wasn't sure which version I needed. Seems like you can just get a replacement aperture with a larger opening, but I can't find where to buy. Any suggestions?
 
Sun Tzu warrior said:
Snowblind,
Why don't you get a drill and just make a larger hole?
Too simple?!
STW
Click to expand...
But then how would I throw away my money? I suppose I can just gather it in a pile and burn it...

Actually, I just prefer hanging on to original parts. I try not to make many permanent modifications in case I ever wanted to go back. It's just a thing.
 
Snowblind,
I understand, it's just what I do to compound bow peep sights, when I find them too small for low-light hunting. far be it from me to tell anyone how to "throw" away their money, you earned it and should do exactly what you want with it, I assure you I am not trying to be sarcastic.
I have thrown my share away for similar reasons.
You could just order another from Ruger if you don't like the results.
STW
 
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Oh, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant at all! I wasn't trying to be critical of you, I was implying it more as d'oh! Why spend money on a new aperture when I can just fix the one I have in 2 seconds?

But yeah, I generally don't mod things if I don't have to.
 
The .223/5.56x45mm variant will probably be more accurate than the 7.62x39mm version, because the selection of very good ammo is better in .223; there is not a lot of premium match 7.62x39mm out there, and you certainly won't find it at Walmart or (more than likely) your local gun shop.

The higher velocity of the .223 model will also make range estimation less critical.
 
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