My NEW Ruger Tac-30

[deadduck357]

Ruger sent me their new Mini-30 Tactical for testing and evaluation. Got it in yesterday. No time for a range session yet, but here's the out of the box review. I've owned two in the past but am not all that familiar with the Mini family as I'm an AR-type guy. My previous experience with the Mini-30 was limited - I had my first cut from 18.5 inches to 16 inches to make a short carbine. The rifle never functioned properly after the surgery and I got rid of it.

I later acquired a second, but didn't keep it long because high capacity magazines were hard to find, expensive, and never functioned reliably. I heard that Ruger was coming out with a revised model featuring tighter tolerances and military iron sights and let it go. This was several years ago, and in the meantime I pretty much gave up hopes of getting a Mini-30 configured like I wanted....

...until now

The 16 inch heavy barreled Mini-30 Tactical was exactly the rifle I had envisioned.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co
Model: Mini-30 Tactical
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Overall length: 36.75 in
Barrel length: 16.1 in
Rifling twist: 1/10 in
Muzzle thread: 5/8 x 24 TPI
Weight: 6.73 lbs
Loaded magazine weight, (20 rds): 18.8 oz
Trigger pull: 5 lbs 11.5 oz

Included with the rifle is an owner's manual, one 20 round magazine, and a set of 1-inch rings. Also included is an action lock, already misplaced. Oh well...

This is an attractive little carbine. The sights are a great improvement.

Also attached to the heavy barrel is the AC-556 styled flash suppressor, which I like. The Ruger flash suppressor is unique among others in the industry and visually distinct.

Barrel diameter forward of the gas block measured at 0.782 in.

Barrel diameter aft of the gas block measured at 0.623 in.

 

[deadduck357]

I disassembled the rifle for thorough cleaning and to familiarize myself with it.

I knew of the heat shield in the upper handguard, but was unaware of the one in the stock.

I really like that Ruger opted to use stainless steel for the hammer, trigger, and firing pin as opposed to using non-stainless components.

The Ruger manufactured 20 round magazine has witness holes in both sides. Magazine feels very solid and well designed.

The magazine floorplate is stamped for the Mini-30, but the markings are finely cut and not immediately visible. Nowhere on the body is the cartridge specified as 7.62x39mm. It would be beneficial for Ruger to mark 7.62x39 somewhere, preferably where it can easily be seen.

Five pull average of 5 lbs 11.5 oz.

The rifle looks like it means business.

Ruger's distinctive logo is inset on the pistol grip cap.

My overall out of the box impression is that Ruger has refined their Mini-30 into the rifle I always wanted; a short, handy, heavy-barreled no-frills carbine. It shows promise as a truck gun, a pig stopper, defensive carbine, and patrol rifle for law enforcement.

Range test soon to follow.

 

[Roughneck08]

Thank you for your detailed report. Excited for the range report. I enjoyed my buddy's mini 14, but the 30 has been more appealing all the more lately more so than my sks. Hopefully the accuracy and reliability will be decent. Thanks!

 

[Wheelgunner56]

Should be a good seller if priced right and the mags are not TOO expensive. I am expecting it to be accurate and reliable. Thanks for the report.

 

[Dr.Rob]

It's a good looking rifle please keep us informed on how it shoots.

 

[68wj]

Good looking '30. What makes it tactical though?

 

[ArmedBear]

Ruger calls its 16" models with flash hiders "Tactical". They also have "Ranch", "Target" and I'm not sure what else.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

looks exactly like my mini 14 tactical, my old series 189 mini 30 is no tack driver but a good hog rifle, good enough for me, but still gonna get me another AK for my safe.

 

[deadduck357]

I'm hoping to get to the range tomorrow. I'm waiting for one more box of ammo to show up.

 

[One-Time]

Per RUger if it has a FLash hider/suppressor(whatever you prefer to call it) and a standard capacity mag, like a 20 rounder(as opposed to Lo-Caps) it is then 'tactical'

 

[surfinUSA]

Other than the price of ammo is there anything that this rifle does better than the Mini 14 in 6.8mm.

I've got an SKS and really like it for a variety of reasons and in the South they are considered a pretty good deer/ hog gun with soft point ammo.

However, there are a number of threads regarding the 6.8 and what a good round it is.

I'm not likely to buy a Mini in 7.62x39 when my SKS does what I need doing, but since we all need a reason for a new gun, I'm real interested in its comparison to the 6.8mm.

 

[BHP FAN]

Saweeet! THAT goes right on my wish list... I wonder why the army would bother with 6.8, when they could have just gone 7.62x39, and been able to use captured ammo the world over? National pride, or tactical error?

 

[68wj]

Other than the price of ammo is there anything that this rifle does better than the Mini 14 in 6.8mm.

I've got an SKS and really like it for a variety of reasons and in the South they are considered a pretty good deer/ hog gun with soft point ammo.

However, there are a number of threads regarding the 6.8 and what a good round it is.

I'm not likely to buy a Mini in 7.62x39 when my SKS does what I need doing, but since we all need a reason for a new gun, I'm real interested in its comparison to the 6.8mm.

If you stay with production ammo, you won't see too much difference in performance. 7.62 is cheaper than the 6.8 for everyday shooting but 6.8 has several great hunting load offerings (accurate hunting bullets from Sierra, Speer, Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, etc). If you handload, the mini-6.8 still uses the standard chamber and will limit your performance potential. Still very capable for hunting though.

 

[deadduck357]

Other than the price of ammo is there anything that this rifle does better than the Mini 14 in 6.8mm.

Mini 30 Tac 16" barrel + flash suppressor + 20 round mag
Mini 6.8 18.5" Barrel - no flash suppress - 5 round mag

 

[deadduck357]

I wonder why the army would bother with 6.8, when they could have just gone 7.62x39, and been able to use captured ammo the world over? National pride, or tactical error?

7.62x39 and the AR15/M16 platform just don't work together, mag well and case taper problems. 6.8 works fine with the AR15/M16 mag well.

 

[surfinUSA]

Thanks 68wj. It sounds like I'd be better off with a 6.8 II upper for my AR. that supposedly takes full advantage of the modern 6.8 and you can get 25 round mags.

However, the mini thirty looks cool if you don't already have an SKS. Does it still have the same diameter problems of the older guns .308 vs .311?

 

[deadduck357]

Thanks 68wj.
Does it still have the same diameter problems of the older guns .308 vs .311?

I will measure the bore and get back.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Rugers mini 14s and 30s are so easy to disassemble and clean, makes them great and they really dont require much maintenance. I found out one thing, sitting in a metal deerblind and opening up on a herd of hogs I had casings ricocheting everywhere, I have now put some padding on my walls. those minis can eject..

 

[Maverick223]

I like it, has all the features that I would look for save for a folding stock (no biggie, it is available aftermarket).

 

[deadduck357]

Bore diameter is .310 in.

 

[crazyivan]

Would like to to see a range report with the mini-30 using steel case.
Would be nice to see how much better it is over the AK

 

[unwise11]

kewl. now send it to me for testing

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

deadduck, just wondering, what does it take to get someone like Ruger to send you a rifle to test out, are you a sportswriter, gunsmith, just wondering...

 

[deadduck357]

Velocity Test

First thing I wanted to do at the range was run some ammo through the chronograph and get some velocity readings.

ShootingChrony F-1 Master was set at 12 feet for the test.

Ammo used for velocity test was Remington UMC 123gr FMJ, Winchester 123gr FMJ, DoubleTap 123gr Barnes Triple Shock X, and DoubleTap 123gr Rifle Defense.

DT Rifle Defense bullet diameter measured 0.3105 in.

DT Barnes Triple Shock X bullet diameter measured 0.3105 in.

Ruger Mini-30 Velocity Results

Rem UMC 123gr FMJ.....2228 fps
Win 123gr FMJ.....2298 fps
DT 123gr Barnes Triple Shock X.....2202 fps
DT 123gr Rifle Defense.....2171 fps

Rifle bore was cleaned before and after each brand was tested so as not to provide any advantage or disadvantage to any specific manufacturer. Cleaning also aided in the barrel break in process.

Primer strikes appeared sufficient.

 

[deadduck357]

50 Yard range test with irons.

The BVAC 123gr V-MAX didn't arrive in time for the velocity test, but will be included for the accuracy test. Bullet measured 0.3105 in.

The irons were pretty much on right out of the box. No adjustment was necessary.

My impression at fifty yards was that the military type iron sights are an improvement over the original style in respect to target acquisition and the rifle accuracy was up to expectations.